If DeMeco Ryans would rather coach the Texans than the Broncos, there are good reasons why

Money can’t buy everything.

It can’t buy the Broncos out of the AFC West, and two games a year against Patrick Mahomes, two games a year against Justin Herbert … and possibly two 2023 games against Tom Brady, if he decamps for Las Vegas.

It can’t buy their way out of the AFC, blessed with young, dynamic quarterbacks and potent teams poised to establish hegemony atop the conference.

And it can’t buy a way to an ideal escape hatch if the Broncos cannot get Russell Wilson back to a level approaching his Seattle prime.

This is the conundrum that faces the Broncos as their coaching search lingers into a third weekend.

According to reports, DeMeco Ryans is a top candidate for the job. But he’s also Houston’s top choice, too.

And there are reasons why Houston may present a better overall situation than the Broncos — beyond any personal considerations for Ryans, a former Texans standout whose wife is from the Houston area.

Yes, Houston resides in the AFC, too. Yes, its Super Bowl path has Mahomes, Joe Burrow and Josh Allen in front of it, too.

But it sits in the AFC South. Despite the rise of Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars, it is considerably downmarket from the upscale AFC West.

The Indianapolis Colts chew through quarterbacks like puppies through a box of ankle socks. The Tennessee Titans found out about life without Ryan Tannehill late in the season, and with star running back Derrick Henry aging, found out about their immediate future down the home stretch of the season. There is a clearer path to a winning division record in Houston — and better playoff position because of it.

The Texans also hold the No. 2 overall pick. If they stand pat, they guarantee themselves one of two prime quarterback prospects in this year’s draft cycle: Alabama’s Bryce Young or Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud. It won’t take much of a deal to move up a slot and guarantee themselves the rookie quarterback of their choice.

Thus, the Texans will have a cost-controlled quarterback. And if that quarterback plays at a high level, well … you need only look at some recent years of the Kansas City Chiefs, Cincinnati Bengals … or back to the 2013 Seattle Seahawks with Wilson himself for evidence of what you can do with a top-flight young passer on a rookie contract, leaving more money to bolster the balance of the roster.

The Broncos will not have that situation. And even if Denver releases Russell Wilson before $37 million more of guarantees kicks in on the fifth day of the 2024 league year, the team will still carry a massive cap charge for two seasons. Thus, the Broncos could draft a Round 1 quarterback in 2024, but the dead-money charge to Wilson would effectively burn off the benefit of having a cost-controlled quarterback.

And then there is draft capital. Houston has two of the NFL’s first 12 draft picks and five of its first 75, thanks in part to the largesse from the Deshaun Watson trade.

Denver’s first-round pick — originally that of the 49ers — will be no better than No. 28. The Broncos won’t pick again until what is expected to be the No. 67 overall pick, which was the third-round choice they acquired from the Indianapolis Colts last year.

That being said, the Broncos can offer coaching candidates plenty.

Virtually unlimited resources and supportive ownership. A robust, passionate fan base that remains steadfast and engaged with all things Broncos … even after six consecutive losing seasons. A home in one of the nation’s most dynamic and vibrant metropolitan areas, in a state whose natural beauty attracts untold millions from around the globe.

Colorado is a place you want to be.

Denver is a place you want to be.

It’s prime real estate.

But the AFC West, with an elite-level QB contract for a passer who lingered in the NFL’s bottom tier, is not.

And that’s why Houston is the better job today.

As in real estate, it’s all about location.

Division location. Draft location. And al-location … of resources under the cap.

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