The Houston Texans are on a resurgent stretch of this season, shaking off their 0-3 start and positioned to get their 10th win in Week 16. However, their success could lead to an exit from head coach DeMeco Ryans’ staff by defensive coordinator Matt Burke.
Further complicating the situation, interest in Burke is expected to arise from a familiar foe.
The situation continues to develop, but it could put Burke and the Texans in a noteworthy situation in 2026: facing each other multiple times a season.
Texans DC Matt Burke Expected to Draw HC Interest
GettyHouston Texans defensive coordinator Matt Burke looks on against the Tennessee Titans.
The Athletic’s Dianna Russini listed Burke among a host of the Texans DC’s peers around the league as potential head coaching candidates.
Russini named the Tennessee Titans, the Texans’ AFC South rival, as a potential suitor.
Tennessee also plans to reach out to several defensive coordinators, including … the Houston Texans’ Matt Burke,” Russini wrote on December 20. “As is often the case with defensive-minded candidates, the Titans’ first question will revolve around offensive staff construction, specifically, who these men would hire as offensive coordinator.”
If hired, Burke would find himself in a similar situation as Ryans: paired with a former top-two pick at quarterback and charged with figuring out the rest. In Ryans’ situation, he arrived after two seasons as defensive coordinator under Kyle Shanahan, an offensive-minded coach.
Ryans’ group with the San Francisco 49ers keyed back-to-back NFC Championship Game appearances in 2021, where they lost to the eventual champion Los Angeles Rams, and 2021.
Burke is building a different resume so far.
In his third season with the Texans, Burke arrived with two previous years of DC experience, filling that role with the Miami Dolphins from 2017 through 2018. He has been coaching since 1998. Ryans had six years total, including his two as a coordinator, before the Texans hired him.
In Tennessee, Burke would have Cam Ward, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2025 draft, at quarterback.
That would give him his version of C.J. Stroud, whom the Texans drafted No. 2 overall in 2023.
Matt Burke Could Garner Interest for Multiple HC Positions
GettyMiami Dolphins defensive Coordinator Matt Burke looks on against the New York Jets.
Burke will most likely not be limited to the Titans, at least not in interest, should he choose to leave the Texans after this season.
NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero noted on December 20 that while the Titans and New York Giants are the only teams that have officially fired their head coaches and begun searching for their next ones, several opportunities could arise after the season.
Of the 11 other teams already eliminated from postseason contention, many will at least consider their options.
Burke figures to be among them.
He will face questions about his impact, given Ryans’ prowess on the same side of the ball and having players like Will Anderson Jr. Still, Burke figures to be one of the more appealing options teams could seek out as they potentially look to emulate what the Texans have built.
Before that, though, Burke and the Texans must close out the regular season and, they hope, embark on an extended run in the postseason.
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