Houston, Texas – January 2026
The Houston Texans’ season did not simply end — it slipped away piece by piece in a 28-16 playoff loss to the New England Patriots, a game that felt within reach for long stretches before unraveling in decisive moments. And behind closed doors at NRG Stadium, that defeat triggered swift and serious consequences.
According to multiple team sources, the Texans’ front office conducted an emergency internal review in the days following the loss and ultimately imposed the most severe internal disciplinary action of the season on head coach DeMeco Ryans.
The final score did not reflect a blowout, but the game flow told a harsher story. Houston remained competitive early, trading scores and staying within one possession deep into the second half. However, repeated stalled drives, missed opportunities in critical situations, and a complete lack of offensive rhythm allowed New England to slowly seize control. The Patriots closed the game with methodical execution, while the Texans failed to respond when momentum began to swing.
Team officials insist the decision was not driven by emotion or optics. Instead, leadership undertook a detailed evaluation of how the Texans lost control of a playoff game that was still manageable entering the fourth quarter. The inability to adjust offensively, questionable situational decisions, and the absence of urgency as the deficit grew were cited as central concerns during internal meetings.
Texans chairman Cal McNair personally addressed the decision, delivering a statement that underscored accountability to the fan base.
“There is no way to justify a loss like that. We trusted DeMeco, and our fans trusted him as well. But when you represent an organization like the Houston Texans, accountability has to come first. This decision was made to ensure that we provide a clear and honest answer to our fans — the people who have invested their belief, their energy, and their loyalty in this team.”
Sources emphasize that the disciplinary action does not involve termination or an immediate coaching change. Rather, it places responsibility squarely on the head coach while introducing increased internal oversight — including stricter evaluation of staff alignment, in-game management, and strategic direction entering the offseason.
Importantly, the Texans are not closing the door on Ryans’ future in Houston. Internally, the move is viewed as a reset, not a rupture. Reaching the playoffs is no longer considered sufficient for a franchise that believes it has accelerated past the rebuilding phase.
DeMeco Ryans remains the head coach of the Houston Texans. But after a 28–16 loss in which the game slipped away without a decisive response, his standing has shifted. The upcoming season will be judged not just by wins and losses, but by whether Houston can answer the questions raised on that playoff night — when opportunity was present, but control was lost.
