The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue has Texans fans feeling a mix of pride and dread today, naming both offensive coordinator Nick Caley and defensive coordinator Matt Burke as top candidates to become head coaches in 2026. This isn’t just about a good season; Rodrigue believes there’s a high chance both of these play-callers will be snagged by other teams for head coaching gigs after this fall. Get ready, Houston, because your coaching staff is about to become everyone else’s target.
Burke’s Defense Is a Stone Wall
Seriously, Matt Burke took over defensive play-calling from head coach DeMeco Ryans last season and absolutely crushed it. We’re talking top-five in every single defensive category for a team that racked up 12 wins. That’s no fluke, man! And get this: nine starters are back from that monster defense, including four Pro Bowlers and two first-team All-Pros at defensive end and cornerback. They even beefed up the roster, adding Eagles safety Reed Blankenship and drafting Ohio State All-American defensive tackle Kayden McDonald. With a unit that dominant, it’s no wonder Burke is getting so much buzz. The man clearly knows how to build a defense that stops everything.
Caley’s Offense Is Primed to Go Off
On the other side of the ball, first-year offensive coordinator Nick Caley wasn’t even in charge of C.J. Stroud’s offense back in 2023 when Bobby Slowik was the OC. Now, with Caley leading the charge in Year 2, the offense is expected to take another massive step forward. A retooled run game is a huge reason why, especially with former Detroit Lions star David Montgomery joining the squad. Plus, the wide receiver room is set to be more veteran with Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins maturing. This offense is cooking, and the league is watching to see just how much damage they can do.
The Talent Factory Is Open For Business
And it’s not just Burke and Caley everyone’s watching. Defensive backs coach Dino Vasso also deserves a shout. Rodrigue sees him as a serious candidate for a defensive coordinator promotion somewhere else in the league. The Texans secondary has become a total talent factory under Vasso, so it’s no surprise his name is buzzing. This whole staff is creating something special, and with full training camp starting July 28, all eyes are going to be on Houston as they gear up for a season with “lofty expectations.” Will these coaches stick around, or are other teams ready to poach? We’ll find out soon enough.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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