The San Francisco 49ers are set to face off against the Kansas City Chiefs for the right to hoist the Lombardi Trophy on Sunday in Super Bowl LVIII.
And ahead of the NFL Honors awards show Thursday, Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans revealed that he would be pulling hard for the 49ers, proclaiming that 2023 was his former team's year.
"For sure. Still watch the Niners," Ryans told NBC Sports. "A lot of love and appreciation for the organization first off, to Kyle (Shanahan) for just giving me the opportunity to start my coaching career there... I'm pulling for them. This is their year. You just watch the entire year, how the season has gone, I think they're destined to get it done this year."
Ryans, of course, has a strong personal bond with the 49ers, beginning his coaching career with the franchise in 2017 as a defensive quality control coach and remaining with the team for six seasons.
In 2021, he ascended to the role of defensive coordinator, guiding the team to the NFL's top-ranked defense during in 2022. As a result of that success, Ryans was named the NFL Assistant Coach of the Year.
One year later, he was hired by the Texans, where he would take his success to another level, securing an AFC South title and a Wild Card Playoff win over the Cleveland Browns in his debut season.
Ryans' influence in his first year in Houston, much like his time with the 49ers in the Bay Area, is unmistakable.
And as Sunday approaches, he'll be rooting for his former team, eager to see them bring home the franchise's sixth Super Bowl win.
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