DeMeco Ryans Takes Back Texans' Defensive Play-Calling Amid 0-4 Start

The Houston Texans are done waiting for last season's defense to show up. Head coach DeMeco Ryans told reporters at his Wednesday news conference that he will take over defensive play-calling duties from coordinator Matt Burke, effective immediately, as the team stumbles into a Week 5 matchup with the winless Tennessee Titans at 0-4.

The move is a striking reversal — and a repeat. Ryans called Houston's defense through his first two seasons, then handed the job to Burke after an 0-3 start in 2025. Burke's unit responded by finishing the year ranked first in scoring defense and second in yards allowed, sparking a 12-5 finish. But that version of the Texans has vanished: through four games, Houston sits 20th in yards allowed (343.8 per game) and 27th in points allowed (27.3), despite returning 10 starters from last year's dominant group.

The breaking point came Sunday, when Houston squandered a first-half lead and surrendered 28 second-half points in a 34-30 loss to Dallas, with Pro Bowl cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. pointing to communication problems in the secondary. "If there's a lack in communication, I look at myself first," Ryans said Wednesday. "To help spark things more, I'm going to take over the play-calling for the defense and I'm going to make sure that communication is right."

Ryans stressed the move is "no slight against coach Burke," who has coordinated the defense since 2023. But with the pass defense hemorrhaging 260 yards per game through the air, something had to change.