HOUSTON -- Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Wednesday that he will be taking over the defensive playcalling duties amid his team's 0-4 start.
One of the biggest disappointments from the Texans' start is their defensive struggles as the perceived vaunted defense has not met its standard from 2025 when the team boasted the No. 1 total defense. In 2026, the Texans' defense is 26th in points allowed per game (27.3) and 20th in yards allowed per game (343.8).
Ryans says he understands the difficulties of that type of decision and that his decision shouldn't be viewed as a "slight" on defensive coordinator Matt Burke.
"It's a tough decision to make," Ryans said. "It's also as a head coach, I have a lot of tough decisions I have to make, and it's always my decisions and sometimes they're not always a popular opinion. I'm not in this role to please a lot of people's opinions. I have to do what's best for this team and make sure I'm leading in that way. I know everything that I try to do and try to do is for the men in that locker room to give those guys as best of a chance as possible to go out and win a football game."
The most puzzling aspect is when it comes to sealing victories on the back of the defense, Ryans' defensive unit has failed. Three of the team's four losses came after the offense scored the go-ahead touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
The Texans' defense had a players only meeting after losing to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 2. Then the defense forced three turnovers against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 3 but still gave up a winning field goal to drop them to 0-3. Then against the Dallas Cowboys, the defense gave up a winning touchdown pass from quarterback Dak Prescott to wide receiver CeeDee Lamb.
This defensive start has featured things that haven't happened in almost two years. Houston gave up 34 points to Dallas and 36 in the season opener against the Buffalo Bills. Last season, no team scored more than 30 points against the Texans. Before that, the last time they gave up more than 30 was on Christmas Day against the Baltimore Ravens (31) in 2024.
After the most recent loss, All-Pro defensive end Will Anderson Jr. pointed his finger at the players saying he and his teammates need to be accountable. Anderson also does not fault Burke for the struggles.
"Coach Burke did a really good job. We trust both coaches," Anderson said. "DeMeco brings his style of play, the way he plays, the way he coaches, the intensity and the energy he has."
Last year, Houston started 0-3 and had a fierce turnaround toward the playoffs. But only one team in NFL history has overcome a 0-4 start to reach the postseason: the 1992 San Diego Chargers. Quarterback C.J. Stroud said after the loss to the Cowboys that "last year's bread isn't going to feed us this year."
The Texans entered the 2026 season among the Super Bowl contenders in the AFC. But they are instead off to their worst start since 2020.