Texans reportedly make decision on new defensive coordinator

The Houston Texans are hiring Matt Burke as their new defensive coordinator, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Burke spent last season as the defensive line coach for the Arizona Cardinals. The near 20-year NFL veteran will take over a defense that gave up 379.5 yards per game and finished 30th in the NFL in yards allowed. 

Last month, the Texans fired Lovie Smith after one season as head coach. Smith was also the acting defensive coordinator. Three weeks later, former 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans was introduced as the sixth head coach in franchise history. 

It didn’t take long for Ryans to find his defensive guru. 

After a five-year college coaching stint, Burke started his NFL coaching career as an administrative assistant with the Tennessee Titans in 2004. He was then promoted to the defense quality control coach the next season. 

Burke was also the linebackers coach for the Detroit Lions, Cincinnati Bengals, and Miami Dolphins. He also held the defensive coordinator position most recently with the Dolphins from 2017 through 2018. For the last few years, Burke was a part of the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Jets, and Cardinals' defensive coaching staff. 

The 2022 Cardinals defense finished 21st in the NFL in yards allowed (348.9). Former Texan J.J. Watt was a part of Burkes’ defensive line last season.