The Houston Texans have been having quite a season thanks to the play of rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, and they hold a 7-5 record, which puts them in the hunt for a playoff spot.
Not too shabby for a team that was 3-13-1 last season and was only expected to do marginally better this year.
They have what would seem to be a very winnable game this Sunday at the New York Jets, and it will mean a reunion between Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans and Jets head man Robert Saleh.
Ryans gave credit to Saleh for helping him get to where he is, per Ari Meirov.
#Texans HC DeMeco Ryans on facing Robert Saleh and the #Jets this week:
“I owe a lot to him. He’s probably the reason why I’m standing here before you because of him taking me under his wing and teaching me the ropes.”
Saleh coached Ryans as a player in Houston and helped hire… pic.twitter.com/rbMcw4RXZc
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 4, 2023
Back in the day, Ryans was a standout linebacker in the NFL, and he played much of his career for the Texans back when they were a fledgling expansion franchise.
After his playing career ended, he joined the San Francisco 49ers in 2017 as a defensive quality control coach under head coach Kyle Shanahan.
At the time, Saleh was the Niners’ defensive coordinator, and along with Ryans and Shanahan, he helped the team develop an identity as a hard-hitting defensive-minded squad.
Saleh and Ryans helped the Niners reach the Super Bowl during the 2019 season, and when Saleh left after the 2020 campaign, Ryans succeeded him as defensive coordinator.
Under Ryans, San Francisco’s defense only got better, and even without him this year, it has maintained most, if not all, of its prowess and bite.
While Ryans’ Texans aren’t a defensive juggernaut this season, they have greatly improved in that area compared to last year, and as a result, the outlook in Houston is suddenly very sunny.
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