Texans' Cal McNair on Toro District plans: 'We're on track'

Texans owner Cal McNair expressed confidence that their planned state-of-the-art Toro District sports and entertainment complex and team headquarters in Bridgeland remains on track for the team to move into its fancy new digs in 2029.

There was a court ruling from a district judge that means Harris County will have to adjust how it will pay for a $150 million parking garage along with $160 million worth of infrastructure.

"We're really excited about the Toro district," McNair said. "It'll be really good for the team. It'll be really good for the community.

What the county's doing is a small portion of our total investment going in, and I'm sure we'll get that worked out. We've had a real good relationship with the county.

"Those are ongoing negotiations. Negotiations go back and forth all the time. We'll see that throughout the course of this thing.

But it'll be really good. We're excited and we're on track. I don't have a concern about it."

There’s no shortage of work to do for the AFC South franchise one year into the tenure of team president Mike Tomon, a central figure with the Toro District project along with ownership, team executives and key partners like Howard Hughes Communities, Gensler and Harris County commissioners.

How the Texans and Howard Hughes, their real estate partner, created a vision for ‘Toro District,’ an 83-acre development in Northwest Harris County involved a significant amount of market research.

They are planning a cutting-edge team training facility built across 22 acres as the centerpiece for the project.

Over the past year, the Texans and Howard Hughes visited multiple sports facilities and multi-purpose developments. That included The Star, the Dallas Cowboys’ practice hub in Frisco and adjacent retail and entertainment center Legacy West, The Battery, which the training center for the Atlanta Braves, the New England Patriots’ team facility and stadium, in Foxborough, Mass and other venues. Cal McNair, Hannah McNair and the Texans envision an ultra-modern destination for the team and staff to work under the same roof all year long along with a fun destination for fans.

The Texans, in a collaboration with Harris County and Howard Hughes , the developers of Bridgeland, The Woodlands and Summerlin in the Las Vegas area, plan to break ground this year and move in during the summer of 2029. Having football and business under the same roof was a major motivator in leaving NRG Stadium, for training.

“I think what guides us through this is principles,” Tomon said during the NFL owners meetings. “The main thing is football. What we want to have is the most optimal situation for our team to compete. And so that’s a driver on how we think about the players’ journey, the coaches’ journey and, candidly, all of our teammates throughout the organization. For us to be together as an entire organization, for us to be focused in on the goals and the purpose of the overall training facility, those are the drivers.

“We have principles that we kind of go through. We sat and we talked with the architects and went through, ‘Here are our principles. here’s what we’re trying to do.’ So, there’s a strategic nature to it, and there’s a tactical nature to it, but it all comes back to our principles. That’s why we’re so confident and excited to kind of jump into tahis.”

The AFC South franchise shares Reliant Stadium, the site of their games, with the rodeo along with concerts and other events held there throughout the year. And that has created frequent spacing and scheduling conflicts as they conducted practices during the season along with training camp and offseason activities. Tomon emphasized previously that the focus remains on finding workable, financially viable solutions to upgrade NRG Stadium. They are under a lease that expires in 2032.

The priority for the Texans regarding the multi-use, 72,220 capacity stadium built in 2002 at a cost of $352 million is to renovate the facility, which is in need of extensive and expensive repairs and general improvements, in partnership with Harris County, the Harris County Sports & Convention Corporation and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

Relocation to a new stadium isn’t the Texans’ stated goal. They want to refurbish the stadium.

“Absolutely, our focus is to be here,” Tomon said after the announcement of Toro District. “Our focus is to be at NRG Park. As we like to say, ‘You want to see us on our biggest moments? Come to NRG. You want to see us on our day-to-day, the other 350 days a year? Come to Bridgeland. And so that’s kind of how we look at the Toro District. And our focus remains making this our competitive advantage here at NRG.”

Negotiations are active and ongoing with lots of time left on the current lease. The Texans are attempting to be proactive about the stadium situation. And Tomon struck an upbeat stance on those discussions.

Contractually, the Texans are not responsible for the repair and upkeep of the stadium. That task lies with Harris County under the terms of the lease arrangement. The Texans have contributed millions of dollars, though, toward multiple repairs and maintenance of the stadium since the launch of the franchise in 2002 by the late founder Bob McNair, Cal McNair’s father.

The stadium needs upgrades, but there is a new roof that was installed this off-season and new scoreboards last year.

"I think it's safe," McNair said. " We had a new roof, a new scoreboard last year, a new sound system. So I think we're in good shape going into the year. It's a county facility. It's no secret they're behind on the overall maintenance of it. We'll continue to work with them and trust the ability to be safe and a really good venue for football."

McNair said that the Texans will remain an artificial turf stadium after Reliant Stadium had grass for the FIFA World Cup. Several players, including Texans star defensive end Will Anderson Jr. have expressed a preference for natural grass.

"Indoor stadiums, that would be a challenge to have grass in there," McNair said. "When we opened this one, we did have grass. It was on a tray system. And it had some unique challenges."

Added Hannah McNair, Texans chief community officer: "What we do is we do get a new field every year. I know there's some indoor stadiums where they use the same turf from the year before."

The Texans are celebrating their 25th anniversary season and honoring the legacy of the late co-founder Janice S. McNair, who passed away in July.

The team plans to unveil new Rivalry uniforms this month, too.

"It's a special year, 25th year, so we'll be celebrating that through the whole year," McNair said. "The rivalry uniform. I think it's going to be really awesome. And we're going to celebrate Mom's legacy. The founder of the team, she touched a lot of lives."

Texans general manager Nick Caserio said that a contract extension with quarterback C.J. Stroud is a possibility. A league source said that no deal is imminent. McNair said that he leaves contract talks up to Caserio.

The Texans have had a strong offseason, adding running back David Montgomery and safety Reed Blankenship and bolstering the offensive line. 

"I think our roster is in good shape," McNair said. "We've got a good team. I can't wait to see them run the ball better this year. Stop the run. Those are things that are near and dear to my heart. And that's what I'd like to see us do better this year. And I think we will.

"There's a level of toughness they're trying to bring in that I think is going to show up. So, that's really what I'm looking forward to is the line and the running game and see how it comes together. That will help everything."

Added Hannah McNair: "Cal always says you win in the trenches."

The Texans have reached the AFC divisional round for three years in a row, losing each time. They're 0-7 all-time at that stage of the postseason.

This team has Super Bowl ambitions.

"Pressure on each game," McNair said. We want to keep playing until the final, the very last game. We want to be in that one. We want to win that one. So ,that's where we're going to go. We haven't gotten there, but that's where we're going to go."

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and Sports Talk 790. He has a YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AaronWilsonSport

Scary moment for unhurt Texans All-Pro corner Derek Stingley Jr.

Texans All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. absorbed a hard hit, friendly fire from linebacker Henry To'oTo'o.

Stingley went down and stayed down for a long time before he was able to walk off the field and got cleared by medical staff, resuming practice.

To'oTo'o was trying to avoid hitting wide receiver Jared Wayne and wound up accidentallycolliding with Stingley. He was apologetic toward his teammate.

Stingley avoided an injury, though.

"Yeah, Sting is fine," Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said.

Wide receivers Tank Dell (knee), Jaylin Noel (right pinky finger) aren't practicing yet. Linebacker Jake Hansen is week to week with a ankle injury.

Wide receiver Justin Watson returned to practice Saturday after missing Friday. 

Safety M.J. Stewart remains on the physically unable to perform list after tearing his quadriceps last season. He is expected back at some point during the preseason.

Gritty Texans rookie Keylan Rutledge gaining rep for toughness

Texans rookie center Keylan Rutledge has been building his reputation for toughness and finishing blocks.

That started at training camp on the first day when the first-round draft pick from Georgia Tech planted Pro Bowl middle linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair on his back. That has continued with him getting into skirmishes, including one where defensive end Ali Gaye got into it with Rutledge after blocking continued past the echo of the whistle.

There's a new tough guy in town.

"I love it," Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. "I love to see an offensive lineman pushing guys downfield, still fighting to make sure he finishes. I love his mindset. That's what it should be. He cares a lot. You guys see it standing to the side. We see, I watch it all the time. 

"I try to highlight him in our team meetings because that's what we're looking for. When you have that type of mindset at offensive line, it's a problem for defenders because you're just a pest. You can't get rid of guys and that's what he is. He's a nuisance for the defense and that's what he's going to be for us and I love every bit of it."

The aggressiveness of Rutledge as he competes with center Jake Andrews for the starting job is obvious.

“I like it, I definitely I like it," Pro Bowl wide receiver Nico Collins said. "You want to have some dogs on the offensive side. You have to have that, it's football. You have to have some heart. You have to have some dog about yourself. 

"You don't want to go out here and get rolled over like a puppy. You have to have some heart about yourself. It's football. you have to bring it."

No Guardian cap for Collins

Texans Pro Bowl wide receiver Nico Collins missed a playoff game against the New England Patriots due to a concussion when he fell on his head against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

He had another concussion against the Seattle Seahawks.

He doesn't plan to wear a protective Guardian cap during games. Instead, he's worked on concussion prevention through extensive upper body work.

“No, I’m not going to wear it," Collins said. "I feel like for a wideout, you have to be able to track the ball. You have to be able to turn your head and see where the ball's going. If you can't find the ball in the air, then everybody's going to talk badly about you. I feel like it's good and all but at the end of the day, you have to work on your neck strengthening. You have to work on your spine. 

"You have to work on your back. It’s the little muscles in your neck and it’s the little contact. It's football at the end of the day, that's what happens. As a defensive player, I can see that because consistently, you're making contact. For me, I don't have that much contact to my head so I won't be wearing it this year. I’ll just continue to work on my neck, my traps and my back. I’ll be strengthening the little muscles in my neck.”

NOTES: Texans Pro Bowl defensive end Danielle Hunter shoved past left tackle Aireontae Ersery for a sack on quarterback C.J. Stroud.

Right tackle Trent Brown did a good job blocking Will Anderson Jr.

For the most part, the defense won the matchups. That said, the offense has been much more resilient this year.

"I've seen a lot of back-and-forth," Ryans said. "Offense makes some plays; defense makes some plays. That's what it should be. You don't want to see one side completely dominating the other side. I love to see just competitive spirit. 

"That's what excites me about football, about any sport. Your willingness and your mindset to go out and compete and beat the man across from you. The more I see that and I'm starting to see a lot of that in our team, the more I love being out here." ... The Texans continue to see growth from defensive tackle Tommy Togiai, who is a candidate for a contract extension. Togiai bench presses 500 pounds and squats 700 pounds. "Tommy is just always the most consistent guy," Ryans said. "He's always here working out. He is always one of our best guys in the weight room and it shows on the field. When he steps on the field, he doesn't surprise us. He made a play today on a screen in the backfield. He's smart and aware, not just running with his eyes closed. He's aware of what's going on. He has a really good feel, really great instincts inside. That's what's allowed him to shine as a player for us. He's gotten better each and every year. He's looking the best that I've seen him look here in training camp. I am excited to see the type of season that he'll have." ... Veteran defensive lineman Logan Hall, capable of playing defensive tackle and defensive end, is shedding the rust accumulated during the spring when he dealt with a groin injury and knee tendonitis. "Logan has done a good job with just working himself back to getting out to playing football," Ryans said. "He had surgery in the offseason, so he's been doing a good job of working with our guys on the side and now getting integrated back to football. He just has to get used to the techniques and the things we're asking the defensive line to do. As we know, it's completely different scheme from what he's used to, so it'll take some time for him to get caught up with what we're doing. We'll see how he continues to grow with that, but he's done a great job in his first four days." ... The Texans are intrigued by the speed and size of rookie tight end Marlin Klein, a second-round draft pick from the University of Michigan. "Marlin has done a really good job for us this camp," Ryans said. "I think Marlin is going to really shine in the passing game. He's a matchup problem inside on safeties and on linebackers with his size and his catch radius. He can really run. He runs really well. He's done a really good job. We're throwing a lot at him.He'll have some ups and downs throughout camp, but overall, he's doing a really nice job. I'm excited to see Marlin get in some game action and go play." ... Pro Bowl wide receiver Nico Collins expects a big second season from wide receiver Jayden Higgins, who caught six touchdowns as a rookie. “He’s a dog," Collins said. "You see the work he's been putting in, it’s showing up on the grass field. He has all the tools in the world. He's going to be the face of this franchise at some point. His playmaking ability, his size, he has all the tools in the world. I can't wait to see him rock out this year. It's going to be exciting.” ... Rookie safety Kamari Ramsey intercepted backup quarterback Davis Mills. ... Rookie wide receiver Lewis Bond has made several outstanding catches since the start of camp. He's pushing for a roster spot. “He's picking up things," Collins said. "He's getting open in the slot, making plays. He has all the tools in the world. He's going to continue to learn from us, continue to build and continue to make plays for us. He's going to be special for sure.”  

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and Sports Talk 790. He has a YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AaronWilsonSport