49ers Rumors: DeMeco Ryans 'Top Candidate' for Texans Job; Sides Have Mutual Interest

San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans has emerged as a "top candidate" for the Houston Texans head coaching job, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.

There is mutual interest between the two sides, and Ryans is expected to meet with the Texans at some point next week, Rapoport and Pelissero added.

The first domino fell in this year's head coaching cycle on Thursday when the Carolina Panthers hired Frank Reich as their next head coach. The Texans are one of four teams remaining with a head coaching vacancy, along with the Arizona Cardinals, Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts.

Ryans, who has been San Francisco's defensive coordinator since 2021, has received no shortage of interest this winter, and Mike Klis of 9 News reported Thursday that he has emerged as a top candidate for Denver's vacancy.

Denver's interest poses a serious threat to Houston's pursuit of Ryans. According to longtime NFL reporter John McClain of SportsRadio 610, the Broncos are "intent" on hiring Ryans, and the Texans could lose a bidding war for the defensive coordinator if Denver's new ownership group—the Walton-Penner Family Group, which owns Walmart—starts "flexing its financial muscle."

The San Francisco defense has been one of the best in the NFL under Ryans, so it's no surprise he's received a plethora of interest this winter. This season, the Niners defense allowed the fewest yards (300.6) and fewest points (16.3) per game in the NFL.

Additionally, the 49ers have now reached the NFC Championship Game in back-to-back seasons in part because of Ryans and his brilliant defense. If San Francisco falls to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Ryans could be hired as a head coach as early as next week.

The Texans are searching for a new head coach to replace Lovie Smith, who was fired following a 3-13-1 finish to the 2022 campaign. Considering Houston still has a young roster that lacks any sort of elite talent, the next head coach of the franchise will face some significant challenges.

Still, it has become clear that the Texans feel Ryans can navigate those challenges and help the team become competitive again in the AFC South.