How does DeMeco Ryans' lawsuit affect his pursuit of HC role?

DeMeco Ryans created a formidable defensive unit this season with the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers were the best defense in the league in the regular season in both yards allowed per game and points allowed per game.

Opposition teams had only 300.6 yards per game against them and only 16.3 points per game. Hence, it's not surprising that even as he prepares his team for the NFC Championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles, there are other teams circling around him trying to make him a head coach.

One of the teams reportedly interested in taking DeMeco Ryans is the Houston Texans. That's not surprising given his history with the Texans: he was drafted out of college by then in the NFL Draft and went on to play for them from 2006 to 2011. However, what complicates matters is what happened when he went on to play for the Philadelphia Eagles from 2012 to 2015.

He tore his Achilles tendon in 2014 while playing for the Eagles against the Texans in Houston. DeMeco Ryans could only play one more season in the NFL after that injury.

He sued the Houston Texans and the NFL for providing a poor playing surface, saying that it contributed to his injury. However, that should not affect his current prospects with the team, as the league and team were removed from the lawsuit and settled with the stadium management company and the turf company.

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Is DeMeco Ryans interested in reuniting with Houston Texans?

In terms of interest, it seems to be mutual. The Houston Texans have reportedly identified Ryans as the premier target for their coaching vacancy.

In a league where coaching jobs are hard to come by, especially for ones of color, turning down the opportunity does not seem too logical for DeMeco Ryans. He has reported interest as well and is expected to meet with the team after the NFC Championship game.

It will be a nicer homecoming from when he last returned and picked up an Achilles injury.

He is, after all, a two-time Pro Bowl-selected linebacker for the Houston Texans. However, after finishing consecutive seasons as one of the worst teams in the league, he will have one big rebuilding job on his hands if he takes up the job.

Additionally, their problems lie on offense as much as defense, with Davis Mills throwing the joint-most interceptions this season, along with Dak Prescott. As a defensive coordinator taking a step up, the honeymoon period might be short if he does not improve their fortunes straight away.