49ers rumors: Texans eyeing DeMeco Ryans as HC, interest lacking

While Kyle Shanahan and the San Francisco 49ers are getting ready for a home playoff game against the division rival Seattle Seahawks, Nick Caserio and the moribund Houston Texans are trying to hire their fifth head coach in four seasons after parting ways with Lovie Smith.

After being the favorites to earn the No. 1 pick for most of the year, a Week 18 victory helped Houston slide up to the No. 2 spot. With Smith fired after that bittersweet victory, the Texans might try to set their franchise up for success by hiring a former player in 49ers DC DeMeco Ryans.

Reports from Ian Rapoport suggest that Ryans and Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, who interviewed for the Texans’ vacancy last year before Smith was hired, are at the top of Cal McNair’s list. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like the former Houston linebacker is reciprocating that love.

According to NFL insider Aaron Wilson, Ryans is not expected to pursue the Houston vacancy, as he can afford to be a bit picky when choosing opportunities after such an excellent season in San Francisco. Shanahan might need to replace another coordinator this year, but it doesn’t look like Houston will be the one snatching him up.

49ers rumors: DeMeco Ryans will not take Texans job.

Ryans played six of his ten pro seasons in Houston, winning Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2006 and making the Pro Bowl twice in his last three seasons with the team. With players like Derek Stingley Jr. and Jalen Pitre already on that Texans defense Ryans could hit the ground running on that end if he took the job.

However, it should be mentioned that Ryans sued the Texans when he was a player after suffering an Achilles injury on the NRG Stadium turf. Given how Houston has hired two consecutive one-and-done coaches and lacks a plan at quarterback, why would he go somewhere so chaotic?

Ryans’ defense might be the best in the league, and he will likely be able to bring in an army of Shanahan-adjacent coordinators to run his offense from San Francisco and all across the league. Some team that is closer to building a playoff squad will give Ryans a call.

In the last few years, 49ers assistants like Mike McDaniel and Robert Saleh have been poached away by interested NFL teams. Ryans will be next on the list, but he has enough leverage to turn down the homecoming in Houston and pursue a better opportunity.

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