Sitting at 0-4, the Texans are not making a coaching change. A shift in responsibilities will be taking place along the sidelines, however.
Head coach DeMeco Ryans announced on Wednesday that he is taking over defensive play-calling responsibilities. A streamlining of communication among players on that side of the ball was cited as the primary reason for the switch (video link via KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson). Today’s transition will take play-calling duties away from defensive coordinator Matt Burke.
Burke joined Ryans in Houston in 2023. The latter led the defense to begin his Houston tenure, although he felt it necessary to make a change following the team’s 0-3 start in 2025. In need of a turnaround at that point, Ryans gave play-calling duties to Burke. With the Texans currently winless through four weeks, the opposite change is now being made.
Houston secured a shutout victory during Burke’s first game calling the defense, and the team rallied to a 12-5 finish. The early stage of the campaign has once again not gone according to plan, however. The Texans are winless despite high expectations on defense in particular entering the season. Breakdowns in the secondary have been an issue, something which was especially true in Week 4’s loss to the Cowboys.
The Texans rank fourth against the run, and a pass rush anchored by Will Anderson Jr. has racked up 14 sacks so far. The team’s issues have come against the pass, with an average of 260 yards per game allowed through the air (good for just 26th in the NFL). Improving in that regard will be an obvious area of focus moving forward, beginning with a game against the 0-4 Titans.
Houston has reached the divisional round of the playoffs in each of Ryans’ three years at the helm. A step forward was seen as feasible for 2026, but simply repeating last year’s success down the stretch and reaching the postseason would be a surprise at this point. Improvements on offense (especially in the run game) would certainly help in that regard, but stronger play on the other side of the ball will be a requirement as well. Ryans will aim to bring about a change of fortune similar to last season’s decision to delegate.
Burke, 50, has been working in the NFL since 2004. He spent the 2017 and ’18 seasons as the Dolphins’ defensive coordinator before spending time with the Eagles and Jets. That was followed by his current Texans gig, one which generated head coaching interest from the Cardinals during the 2026 hiring cycle. Burke’s stock will no doubt take a hit with his role being reduced for the remainder of the season.
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