Everything Texans HC DeMeco Ryans said after Day 1 of training camp

Here's everything Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said following Day 1 of NFL training camp.

Here's everything Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said following Day 1 of NFL training camp.

Jul 23, 2025; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) during training camp at Houston Methodist Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Question: What he has seen from QB C.J. Stroud on the field and off the field

DeMeco Ryans: “From C.J. I've seen continued growth. He's now learning a new scheme, new offense, and he's putting in the work, being diligent about working to be on it when it comes to the communication. We put a lot more things on his plate. He's done a great job with that, and we'll see him continue to progress. Really excited for him to really learn something new and really continue to lead our team.”

Jul 23, 2025; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) smiles during training camp at Houston Methodist Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Q:Is QB C.J. Stroud getting more ownership over the offense as a leader?

Ryans: “For sure. From that quarterback perspective you want that ownership. You want it to be on your plate so to speak. C.J., he's looking forward to it. He's open to it. He wanted it and we're here. And so, I think he's done a really fantastic job so far. [Offensive Coordinator Nick] Caley has done a really great job working with him. They're getting on the same page, making sure the terminology, everything makes sense so we can get in and out of the huddle fast and play fast and operate clean. We been doing that.”

Jun 10, 2025; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Jayden Higgins (81) participates in a drill during an NFL football minicamp at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Q: Did you like the other offensive pieces, the team has added?

Ryans: “Every year you're looking to add more and more to your team. I'm excited about the receivers that we've added it. The young guys. [Jaylin] Noel, [Jayden] Higgins, also with [Christian] Kirk, [Justin] Watson, all the guys we've added at those spots will definitely enhance our offense, giving us more options for where the football can go, and that will help our quarterback a lot.”

Aug 17, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson (47) leaps with the ball as Houston Texans safety Jimmie Ward (20) defends during the first quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Q:Jimmie Ward's situation

Ryans: “Yeah, with Jimmy, yeah, it's unfortunate any time something like that happens and comes out in the news and that happens to one of your players. Jimmy is a guy that I've known the longest. Since I first started in the NFL I've worked with Jimmy. I know the type of guy he is, and we'll just let the legal situation play itself out.”

Nov 10, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Houston Texans linebacker Bryan Braman (50) during the game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Arizona won 27-24. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Q: On former Texans LB Bryan Braman's passing

Ryans: “Yeah, very surprising unfortunate loss of my former teammate, Bryan Braman. I was actually teammates with Braman in two places, here in Houston and Philly. Had the opportunity to work alongside Braman. It's just tough. You know, it's like last year I remember being here and speaking about [former Texans WR Jacoby Jones] and now again with Braman. It's unfortunate to lose guys at such a young age. Just our thoughts are with his -- he leaves behind two kids, so thoughts are with those kids and his family. It's tough. 38 years old, that's a tough one to swallow, especially a guy who's been in the locker room with me, you know. A guy who was full of energy and played the game with an undeniable passion and edge. He made a name for himself coming out of a small school, West Texas A&M, guy who by other people’s means shouldn't have made it but he made it because was a hard worker and he was dedicated to his craft, and he was a special teams ace for us. I just continue to pray for that family.”

Jan 18, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Houston Texans offensive tackle Tytus Howard (71) takes the field prior to a 2025 AFC divisional round game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Q:On small things he’s seeing from the offensive line, and if there’s anyone standing out to him?

Ryans: “For the O-line, it's always tough. It's hard for me to -- you continue to evaluate O-linemen. It's hard when you don't have pads on because that's how the game is played up front. You got to have the pads on to have a true evaluation of how it’ll look. The small things that stuck out to me and what [Offensive Line coach] Cole Popovich has done a really good job of is just those small intricate details that you know will translate pads or not. That's hand placement, your feet being right, where are your shoulders, your eyes, the communication. All of those little things that really allow those guys to bind together as one. I think that's where you'll see the growth in our offensive line, those guys being on the same page and being intentional with how they're working in individual. It's very deliberate. I see that translate. And that's what I expect from all of our coaches, to be deliberate in how you prepare the guys individually. That's what I've seen throughout the spring with Cole [Popovich], with Zach Yenser, and that will translate. It's showing up here. They done a great job communicating today, and that will keep allowing those guys to be the best version of themselves and do a great job of run blocking first and foremost as a unit and then also protecting [Stroud].”

Jul 23, 2025; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans smiles during training camp at Houston Methodist Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Q: How much did he see the team pick up from where they left off during OTAs?

Ryans: "That's the thing. The transition and the ease of how we went into things. Today it was really cool to see. I'm used to first days being just a debacle where the ball is on the ground, snap count is off, defense busting assignments. To have a really clean operation, very pleased with that, because the guys been away for a while. They haven't done football. So, to come out and get the football part right, alignment, assignment, being where you're supposed to be, that's half the battle. I am very pleased with the coaches first and foremost for having their guys ready to go.”

Jun 10, 2025; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans offensive coordinator Nick Caley looks on during an NFL football minicamp at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Q: What excites him about Offensive Coordinator Nick Caley’s offense?

Ryans: "What excites me most about Caley's offense is it's evolving, and it's being tailored toward the Houston Texans and the guys we have on our roster. What excites me the most is it's not just copy and paste from other places that he's been. And he's been very successful at other places. He's been very thorough with the installation process of where do we want to put our guys, what position, what's the best spot for our guys to be in. So, you look at it through that lens, it's going to be about the Houston Texans, and that's what I love most about the offense. Him being able to be adaptable and put our guys where they need to be.”

Jul 23, 2025; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans running back Nick Chubb (21) runs with the ball during training camp at Houston Methodist Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Q: What has impressed him about RB Nick Chubb so far?

Ryans: “Nick Chubb, happy to have him with us. Any time a guy gets another opportunity another place, you're going to have a chip on your shoulder. I think Nick has done it in the league for a long time. Happy to have him. Excited to see him just continue to gel with our guys. We got him late in OTAs. It's just a matter of him continuing to gel with the guys in the locker room and do what he does: Run the football, play football the way he plays football. It's impressive to watch.”

Jul 23, 2025; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans running back Nick Chubb (21) shakes hands with quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) during training camp at Houston Methodist Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Q: On how it helps to have an experienced defense when starting training camp?

“Every year I start over. So, the previous two years, whatever that looks like, it doesn't matter to me because every year we have to reinvent ourselves. We have to create and mold and grow to see what the 2025 Texans will look like. Just because the defense has been successful in the past, done a good job, that doesn't guarantee success today. You got to go work at it. You got to grind at it. You got to put the work in. That's what it's about. We'll see what those guys become.”

Jan 6, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans shares an embrace with Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen after a game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports

Q:What it was like to be honored with a street sign in his hometown?

Ryans: "For me, this summer, being able to have the honor of getting a street named after me, a street I grew up on, I would say that's the biggest honor I could receive. It's one of the coolest honors to now be back there on my home street and see the sign with my name on it. I'm just thankful to my parents, my mom and dad, for their hard work and sacrifice. I know what it took for them to be able to purchase a house way back when. I'm thankful for them, the work, what they've shown me. My parents taught me all about hard work, and that's what I believe in now as a coach. It doesn't change. My dad worked as an aircraft mechanic. He's a Vietnam vet. My mom worked cleaning, in the cleaning business for a while. So just tough labor, tough work, and that's what I learned from my mom and dad. For me, that honor is more about them and who they raised and me just emulating them and what they've shown me.”

Jul 23, 2025; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) smiles during training camp at Houston Methodist Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Q: What he’s learned about himself as a coach since he started in Houston

Ryans: "For me, is something I always believed in. It's never rinse and repeat. It's always you got to redefine yourself. Our game is an always evolving and changing. For me as a coach, it's how do I continue to keep up with the trends, how do I put myself in a position to be a better leader. That comes with delegating more, giving other guys more opportunities to grow. For me stepping aside and allowing guys to be the leaders, grow their leadership style and develop. That's my job as a head coach. It's not only to develop players, which I love doing, but also to develop our coaches and our support staff. That's what I learned. I'm trying to do a better job of that.”

Sep 15, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (28) runs with the ball during the third quarter against the Chicago Bears at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Q: On RB Joe Mixon

Ryans: "Whenever that timeline is right for him to be back, he'll be back.”

Aug 24, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (3) plays catch with fans before the Texans play against the Los Angeles Rams at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Q:On WR Tank Dell’s progress

Ryans: "He's doing great. He's crushing the rehab. He's doing phenomenal. Really great headspace. Great to see him just in our meetings into it. So, whenever Tank is ready to go back, he'll be back. We're not putting a timeline on Tank to define he has to be back this season or this particular time. I'm concerned about Tank as a young man, just getting back healthy, physically and mentally. When that time is set, he'll be back for us.”

Nov 16, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans cornerback Jaylin Smith (2) reacts after intercepting a pass against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the first half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Q: How Defensive Backs coach Dino Vasso are working to develop rookie S Jaylen Reed and rookie CB Jaylin Smith?

“[Safeties coach] Steven Adegoke and Dino Vasso, two really bright young coaches. I really enjoy working with them each and every day. They do a really great job of presenting, leading their groups, and they're dedicated to seeing their guys grow. They really enjoy working with the young guys. You see that development from what Stephen has done with [Calen Bullock], what [Derek] Stingley Jr. has done with [Kamari] Lassiter -- I mean, what Dino has done with Stingley and Kamari. You talk about arguably three of the best young players in the league at their position. I am so proud of those coaches, and to see them grow, to see the work they put in, they put in some long hours. So those guys work hard. Two really great guys I'm really proud of. I'm excited to see what they do with the young guys. CB Jaylin Smith is out at corner working with Dino. He's been dialed in. He's been doing a lot of work with Kamari and Calen in the offseason. And also, S Jaylen Reed, Stephen has done a great job working with him on the communication piece. When the ball is snapped, he's all over the field making plays, continuing to dial in. In our league you have to communicate. You have to talk more. That's something all the college guys have to get adjusted to. He is doing a great job."

This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: What did Texans HC DeMeco Ryans say following Day 1 of training camp?

Category: Football