Due to NFL rules, the Houston Texans will have to wait until after Sunday’s NFC Championship game to interview DeMeco Ryans a second time for their vacant head coaching position.
Meanwhile, the Texans had to figure out if Ryans actually wanted the job. According to a league source, Houston and team owner Cal McNair weren’t sure Ryans, who once sued the Texans for negligence, ultimately wanted to become the team’s head coach.
Multiple sources have told CBS Sports that’s not true. In fact, one source described the Texans’ job as Ryan’s first pick of the cycle. However, as with everything, negotiations between the two sides would have to continue.
Ryans, currently defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers, began his NFL playing career with the Texans in 2006, where he was named defensive rookie of the year and a year later named second-team All-Pro linebacker. After starring there for six years, Ryans was traded to Philadelphia for the 2012 offseason.
In 2014, Ryans tore his Achilles tendon in a game against his former team in Houston. He would only play one more season before retiring.
In October 2016, Ryans Harris County — which owns the stadium — sued the stadium management company, the turf company, the Texans and the NFL for more than $10 million. He claimed the injury was “due to the dangerous state of the field.”
“The Achilles injury at NRG Stadium prematurely ended DeMeco’s distinguished NFL career,” the lawsuit reads. “Without the field at NRG Stadium, DeMeco would in all likelihood have stayed in the league for another five years.”
As the lawsuit worked its way through the courts over the years, the NFL and Texans were eventually eliminated from the lawsuit. Court records show Ryans appeared to have reached a settlement with Harris County, the stadium management company and the turf company in July 2021. Terms of a potential settlement were not disclosed, and multiple emails from CBS Sports to Ryans’ attorneys have gone unanswered.
The Texans have held second interviews with Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka and Broncos defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero. In addition to Ryans, Houston is also expected to do a second interview with the Eagles’ defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon.
NFL rules prohibit coaches of teams playing this weekend from interviewing a second time for a head coaching position until Monday.