Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans is direct in his messaging. What he says is generally meant as spoken. Naturally, Ryans’ recent comments about Texans offensive coordinator Nick Caley perked up a few ears in league circles.
Caley just completed his first year with the Texans. The campaign was as rocky due to injuries as it was due to growing pains quarterback C.J. Stroud and the Texans’ offense experienced.
Still, in a results-oriented industry, Caley’s unit left much to be desired.
DeMeco Ryans Draws Attention With Texans Coaching Staff Comments
GettyHouston Texans offensive coordinator Nick Caley looks on in a game against the Tennessee Titans.
Ryans spoke with reporters to close the books on the Texans’ AFC Divisional Playoff loss to the New England Patriots and set the stage for his role this upcoming offseason.
To that end, Ryans’ comments on Caley have been called “non-committal.”
“With the coaching staff, with our players–you guys asking about contracts, coaches, players–I’m evaluating everything as we go throughout the week,” Ryans told reporters during his media availability on January 19.
Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio wrote on January 19, “It is similar to the comment Ryans made about [Bobby] Slowik after last season before firing Slowik a week later.
“Stroud defended Caley, showing support that Slowik did not have.”
“Yeah, definitely,” Stroud told reporters on January 19 when asked if he saw growth in Caley. “I love Cales. I think there’s growth in our relationship, there’s growth in his ability to call plays, growth in DeMo trusting him. So, whatever our coaches decide. And I love Cales, and I’m rocking with him however long he’s going to be here.”
C.J. Stroud Gets Honest About Nick Caley
GettyHouston Texans offensive coordinator Nick Caley looks on before a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Stroud conceded that “there’s a lot of things that can be fixed” for “everyone” involved, including himself. He noted the Texans navigated injuries and learning Caley’s system.
It is a product of his time with the Patriots, but also with the Los Angeles Rams under Sean McVay. The Texans ranked 18th overall, but they were 13th in scoring on the season. The passing attack ranked 14th, despite Stroud’s three-game absence in concussion protocol.
Their running game ranked 22nd, amid injuries there, but Stroud saw their progress.
“You’re still trying to find your identity throughout the year. So, what we were running in the playoffs wasn’t what we were running in Week 1. It’s a whole different offense because it just changes. But, hopefully, around that Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8 period, you start to find that deal,” Stroud said. “We did that. But yeah, I think those things need to be fixed, and they’ll be addressed.”
Stroud left no ambiguity about where he stood on Caley facing what could be his second offensive coordinator change in two offseasons.
“It’s not just on Cales. So, I want to nip that in the bud right now: It’s on me as well. It’s on our–everybody. It’s not just me and him; It’s everybody,” Stroud said, adding it begins with him and then his OC. “Those things will be fixed. We’ll be able to be better from that.”
Texans Have Options
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 and Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans talk on the sideline during a game against the Seattle Seahawks.
KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson noted that Caley, Stroud, and the Texans’ offense made progress, adding that the first-year play-caller is expected to return in 2026.
That is noteworthy, particularly with the available options.
“League sources predicted that Caley is regarded as likely to be back and added it would be a surprise for the Texans to go one-and-done with a highly regarded young coach just as he’s growing into the job. If the Texans move on from Caley, that would mean three offensive coordinators heading into Ryans’ fourth season as head coach,” Wilson wrote on January 20.
“If the Texans did throw a curve ball and moved on from Caley, there are several experienced play-callers available who have other job opportunities currently. That includes Mike McDaniel, Todd Monken, Joe Brady and Brian Callahan.”
Report Emerges After Texans HC DeMeco Ryans Raises Eyebrows