Update on DeMeco Ryans hot-seat rumors emerge after Texans lose to Cowboys, fall to 0-4

A Houston Texans side that earned a playoff win this past January fell to 0-4 in the ongoing season when it suffered a brutal 34-30 home loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. 

That result sparked new chatter on social media about whether or not Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans could potentially be in danger of losing his job. For a piece published on Sunday night, NFL insider Dan Graziano of ESPN explained why he feels it's an "overreaction" to say that Ryans is on the hot seat this fall. 

Will Texans allow DeMeco Ryans to have a "down year?"

"Ryans is in his fourth season as Texans head coach and reached the divisional round of the playoffs in each of the first three," Graziano wrote. "He is a beloved franchise icon, adored by fans and team ownership. Yes, the Texans came into this season expecting big things. Yes, (quarterback) C.J. Stroud's future in Houston could be in question if he doesn't sign an extension in the next six months or so. But I must believe Ryans is allowed one down year."

Graziano was referencing how the Texans picked up the fifth-year option for 2027 attached to Stroud's contract this past spring but have not yet signed the signal-caller to a lucrative extension. Meanwhile, what was advertised to be an elite Houston defense was torched by Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb to the tune of 17 receptions for 189 yards on Sunday. With 40 seconds remaining in that contest, Lamb caught what became a game-winning 12-yard touchdown pass. 

Texans "have a ton of problems" under DeMeco Ryans

"The Texans have a ton of problems," Graziano acknowledged. "They still can't run the ball. Their defense, which was all-universe last season, is giving up more than 27 points per game. The Jaguars, who are three games ahead of Houston in the AFC South, look like one of the best teams in the league. The Texans are staring up from a hole they likely can't escape, and they're doing so after only four weeks of a season in which they entered with the highest of hopes." 

As Graziano referenced, ESPN stats show that the Texans entered Monday tied for 26th in the league with an average of 27.3 points allowed per game. One wonders whether or not Ryans could find himself in danger of losing his job if his defense doesn't start producing better performances, beginning with Houston's Week 5 game at the lowly Tennessee Titans (0-4) on Oct. 11. As of Monday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Texans as 6.5-point road favorites over the Titans.