DeMeco Ryans

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Ryans was selected with the first pick of the second round (33rd overall) in the 2006 NFL draft by the Texans. He was the highest-selected Alabama linebacker since Dwayne Rudd was selected 20th overall by the Minnesota Vikings in 1997. Though Ryans had been an outside linebacker in college, he earned the starting middle linebacker position due to his excellent performance in the preseason. In his first game, Ryans recorded a league-high 12 solo tackles against the Philadelphia Eagles. He had an overwhelming impact as a rookie, leading the Texans in tackles in the first half of the 2006 season. Ryans was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance during a Week 13 23–14 victory over the Oakland Raiders in which he recorded 15 tackles, three pass deflections, a sack, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and an interception. Ryans was named the AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year after finishing second in the league with 155 total tackles (Zach Thomas led the NFL with 165), 31 more tackles than the next rookie (Detroit Lions linebacker Ernie Sims). Ryans was also named to the NFL All-Rookie Team. In 2007, Ryans was named a second-team All-Pro linebacker and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2007 and 2009. On March 30, 2010, Ryans signed a six-year extension worth $48 million, including $21.75 million guaranteed.

In Their Own Story

On March 20, 2012, Ryans was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a 2012 fourth-round draft pick (used on Ben Jones) and a swap of third-round picks between the two teams (used on Brandon Brooks and Nick Foles). Ryans was immediately inserted as the team's starting middle linebacker. Although the Eagles were 4–12, Ryans still made plays, leading the team in tackles with 113 while adding a sack and interception. In 2013, Ryans improved even further, leading the team in tackles once more with 127, while also recording career highs in sacks (4.0), interceptions (2), and interception return yardage (46). During the Wild Card Round against the New Orleans Saints, he had 10 tackles and his first postseason interception in the narrow 26–24 loss. On November 3, 2014, Ryans was placed on injured reserve after tearing his Achilles. Ryans was released on February 24, 2016.

Reader's Guide

On January 31, 2023, Ryans was hired as head coach of the Houston Texans, the same franchise he started his professional NFL career for, on a six-year deal. Ryans was the third head coach hired in the last three offseasons by the Texans. The Texans started the 2023 season by losing their first two games. However, under Ryans' leadership, the team finished atop the AFC South with a 10–7 record and made the playoffs. The Texans defeated the Cleveland Browns by a score of a 45–14 in the Wild Card Round, which marked their first playoff win since 2019, and just the franchise's third playoff victory since 2013. The Texans saw their season end with a 34–10 road loss to the Baltimore Ravens in the Divisional Round. In 2024, after a victory over the Titans in the regular-season finale, Ryans became the fastest coach in franchise history to win 20 games (in 34 total games). He led the Texans to another 10–7 season and division title. They defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 32–12 in the Wild Card Round before losing on the road to the Kansas City Chiefs 23–14 in the Divisional Round.

Did You Know?

• Ryans was named the AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year after finishing second in the league with 155 total tackles in 2006.
• He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2007 and 2009.
• Ryans signed a six-year extension worth $48 million with the Texans on March 30, 2010.
• He was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles on March 20, 2012, in exchange for a fourth-round pick and a swap of third-round picks.
• Ryans became the fastest coach in franchise history to win 20 games, doing so in 34 total games.