DeMeco Ryans Says Passing on Broncos 'Wasn't a Difficult Decision'

DeMeco Ryans made some waves on Thursday as he was introduced as Houston Texans head coach.

As the Denver Broncos celebrate landing Sean Payton as head coach, the Houston Texans are doing likewise with the newly-minted DeMeco Ryans. Ryans became a high-profile target for the Denver vacancy, and at one point, it was reported that the Broncos had him as "a top choice."

When it comes to which candidate was really the No. 1 target in Denver all along, it really comes down to who you want to believe. Adam Schefter has reported that Payton was the apple of the Broncos' eye, while other reports have conflicted with that trope. 

It doesn't sound like there's been much love lost between Ryans and the Broncos in the wake of Payton landing the job in Denver. During his introductory presser in Houston, Ryans was asked about the Broncos' interest in him.

"We're thankful for the Broncos," Ryans said via long-time NFL reporter Aaron Wilson. "It wasn't a difficult decision to come to H-town. It was very easy."

DeMeco Ryans on the Denver Broncos' interest in him: 'We're thankful for the Broncos. It wasn't a difficult decision to come to H-town. It was very easy.'

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) February 2, 2023

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Some might read into Ryans' remarks on the Broncos as less than graceful, but he's not exactly panning the Walton/Penner group. However, anyone who might categorize Ryans' remarks on the Broncos as, perhaps, slightly passive-aggressive, I could meet you on that level. 

Ryans could have been more politically aware of his remarks and said something to the effect of, "We're thankful for the Broncos' interest, but Houston just felt right," or something like that. Instead, he minimized the Broncos as if choosing an even worse team with an inferior roster was easy, quick arithmetic. 

His remarks, and the tone in which he conveyed them, leave many to wonder if there is some bad blood between Ryans and the Broncos. Taking his words at face value, though, perhaps the lure of returning to the team that drafted him as a linebacker and where he built the bulk of his Pro Bowl NFL career was too strong to resist. His wife is also from Houston. 

Relative to the Broncos, it's all water under the bridge. Payton is the get, and he was always the head-coaching candidate best suited to resuscitating Russell Wilson and hitting the ground running offensively. Ryans kind of came out of nowhere as a candidate with a very impressive interview, reportedly, but he's going to be a first-time head coach. 

Meanwhile, Payton served in that position with the New Orleans Saints for the better part of two decades and won a Super Bowl. The Broncos chose the right guy. 

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