Could Texans DC Matt Burke be a head coaching candidate this cycle?

Houston Texans defensive coordinator Matt Burke has been perhaps the x-factor in helping the back-to-back AFC South champions secure a 12-win season and No. 1 defensive ranking this season, but is it time to consider him as a head coaching candidate for the 2026 cycle?

One publication certainly thinks so.

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ESPN recently listed its top options for every NFL opening following Black Monday. For Burke, who's closing in on his third season as the Texans' defensive coordinator, the New York Giants were listed as a potential landing spot, given his work with young defensive pieces and his relationship with current general manager Joe Schoen.

"Early intel is that defensive coordinator Matt Burke is expected to receive at least one head coaching interview for the work he has done with Houston's top-ranked defense," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler wrote. "New York is a potential spot. Burke and Giants general manager Joe Schoen have shared history from Miami in 2016."

Burke took over as the full-time play-caller early in the season after a 2-3 start from the Texans. Since then, Houston's run has been legendary on the defensive side, drawing comparisons to the 2001 Baltimore Ravens and 2013 Seattle Seahawks' Leigon of Boom.

Entering Monday's wild-card game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Texans currently rank No. 1 in total yards (277.2), No. 4 in run defense (93.7), No. 6 in pass coverage (183.5) and No. 2 in scoring (17.4).

While it's unlikely Burke gets swept away this cycle, his name being brought up in conversations for a coaching job should only continue to grow as the Texans' defense remains perhaps the best unit in football for years to come.

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Kickoff from Acrisure Stadium is scheduled for 7 p.m. on ESPN.

This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Could Texans DC Matt Burke be a head coaching candidate this cycle?