Due to NFL rules, the Houston Texans have to wait until after Sunday’s NFC Championship Game to interview DeMeco Ryans a second time for their vacant head coaching job.
In the meantime, the Texans had to figure out if Ryans actually wanted the job. According to a league source, Houston and team owner Cal McNair were unsure if Ryans, who once sued the Texans for negligence, would ultimately want to be the team’s head coach.
Multiple sources told CBS Sports that was not true. In fact, a source described the Texans’ job as the Ryans’ top pick this cycle. As with everything, however, negotiations between the two sides are expected to continue.
Ryans, who is currently the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers, began his NFL playing career in 2006 with the Texans where he was Defensive Rookie of the Year and then second-team All-Pro linebacker a year later. late. After playing there for six years, Ryans was traded to Philadelphia in the 2012 offseason.
In 2014, Ryans tore his Achilles tendon during a game against his former team in Houston. He will only play one more season before retiring.
In October 2016, Ryans sued Harris County – the stadium’s owner – 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 condition of the pitch”.
“Achilles’ injury at NRG Stadium prematurely ended DeMeco’s remarkable NFL career,” the lawsuit reads. “But for the NRG Stadium ground, DeMeco would have, with a reasonable probability, stayed in the league for another five years.”
As the lawsuit progressed through the courts over the years, the NFL and the Texans were eventually removed from the lawsuit. Court records show that in July 2021, Ryans appears to have reached an agreement with Harris County, the stadium management company and the turf company. Terms of any potential settlement were not disclosed, and multiple emails from CBS Sports to Ryans’ attorneys were not returned.
The Texans have completed second interviews with Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka and Broncos defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero. In addition to the Ryans, Houston is also expected to have a second interview with 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.
