Cal McNair knows what the fans want.
The Houston Texans chairman and CEO stopped by “Payne & Pendergast” on Sports Radio 610 [KILT-AM] to discuss his experience operating the franchise and expectations for the 2022 season.
Since 2018, McNair has had the reins of the franchise since the passing of his father, Bob McNair, the team’s founder, in November 2018.
The father built the franchise from the ground up starting in 2002. In 2022, the son is overseeing a rebuild wherein the team hit rock bottom with four-win finishes over the past two seasons.
“We want to be fearless and try new things and listen to the fans,” McNair said. “We want to respond to them… What we hear most from the fans is they want to win.”
"We want to be fearless and try new things and listen to the fans. We want to respond to them… What we hear most from the fans is they want to win" – Texans CEO Cal McNair on @SportsRadio610
I appreciate the transparency from the front office #WeAreTexans
— John Crumpler (@JohnHCrumpler) August 12, 2022
In addition to the losses, Houston also said goodbye to franchise cornerstones. DeAndre Hopkins was traded away in an ill-advised move by former coach and general manager Bill O’Brien. J.J. Watt asked for his release from the franchise after 2020 and followed Hopkins to Arizona. That isn’t even to mention to fiasco at starting quarterback.
This period in the franchise has left many fans feeling disconnected and searching for other sports outlets to cheer on the city. McNair and coach Lovie Smith have made a pointed emphasis to try to bring fans back this offseason.
In regards to the new efforts to re-engage the fanbase, McNair highlighted several things the team is trying this off-season.
“We’ve got these H-Town shirts, we’ve got the red helmets,” said McNair. “We’re reaching out to the fans, we’re trying new things. Some will work, some may not work and that’s going to be the nature of it. We want to be aggressive”
Cal McNair says on @SportsRadio610
"We've got these H-Town shirts, we've got the red helmets. We're reaching out to the fans, we're trying new things. Some will work, some may not work and that's going to be the nature of it. We want to be aggressive"#WeAreTexans
— John Crumpler (@JohnHCrumpler) August 12, 2022
McNair hit the nail on the head acknowledging that the team will have to win more in 2022 to truly win fans back to the franchise. Consecutive finishes in the league’s bottom three teams are unacceptable in a city that features the incredibly well run Houston Astros and the rebuild darling Houston Rockets.
The red helmets and improved aesthetic of the team on the field is a good start. Additionally, McNair hosted “Cal’s Cookout” following training camp practice that featured him joking with the media about how they liked their burgers and and grilling for all fans who came out on Wednesday. These efforts can only help the Texans rebuild trust among the fanbase.
#Texans chairman and CEO Cal McNair grilling burgers. @SeanTPendergast supervising. pic.twitter.com/KBtmha0OIP
— Mark Lane (@therealmarklane) August 10, 2022
Although merely a preseason game, the Texans can keep the optimism going with a win over the New Orleans Saints Aug. 13 at NRG Stadium.