NRG Stadium, home to the Houston Texans, has seen it all—Super Bowls, rodeos, even Hurricane Beryl treating its roof like a loose page in the wind. But here’s the thing—at 23 years old, it’s not exactly crumbling. But let’s just say it’s got a few wrinkles. The kind of wrinkles that need a $2 billion fix. The reason?
Because right now, the NRG Park, which includes NRG Stadium, NRG Center, the arena, and the vacant Astrodome, is in dire need of repair. And, much like a group dinner where the check just hit the table, everyone’s looking around, wondering—so, who’s paying? Uh, that’s the complicated part—according to the Texans’ owner, Carl McNair, who’s all in for the renovation of the facility.
“It’s a complicated issue and one we’re excited to roll up our sleeves and continue to work on,” McNair said on Wednesday. “We’ve been working on it for a couple years already, and we’re committed to continue to work on it with our rodeo partner, Harris County partner, the city may be involved in it. To get all the parties in, come up with a great solution where it’s a win-win for all of us is really our goal.”
PALM BEACH, Fla. — #Texans owner Cal McNair on goal of renovating NRG Stadium: ‘It’s a complicated issue, and one we’re excited to roll up our sleeves and continue to work on. We’ve been working on it for a couple years already and we’re committed to continue to work on it with… pic.twitter.com/gbfSx3F0cF
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) April 1, 2025
See, the original arena was built by the Rodeo in 1974. Later, it was donated to Harris County. The catch is that the County currently owns the land. But the Rodeo and the Houston Texans leased out the facility. Now that the repair costs a whopping $2 billion ($105M for security systems, video, audio, and other technology), the County believes that the Texans and Rodeo should help with the cost to build a brand new facility.
And that’s where things get pretty interesting. See, on one side, the Rodeo officials are willing to help. While on the other hand, Carl McNair wants to help in renovating the facility. Long story short: the repair for the NRG Stadium is still up in the air, considering the officials are still figuring it out. No wonder it’s a complicated issue.
To make things spicier, the NFL analyst Mike Florio suggested that Carl McNair should demolish the facility. And build a brand new stadium at that place. “Cal McNair tear down NRG Stadium, or, better yet, tear down the Astrodome and build the new Texans stadium there,” Florio said. Well, at the end of the day, it’s still unclear about who’s going to pay for NRG Stadium.
But one thing’s for sure: ahead of the next season of the Texans, the owner has faith in his QB, CJ Stroud.
Carl McNair believes CJ Stroud is a great leader
Before C.J. Stroud took the helm, the Texans’ quarterback scene was a merry-go-round. Take the 2021 season, for instance. Tyrod Taylor’s injury opened the door for rookie David Mills. But let’s be real—the guy just couldn’t steer the team past a 4-13 finish. The following year? Even worse. 3-13-1, and that’s a wrap-up. Thanks to that, the Texans were clearly on the hunt for a franchise QB. And that’s when they got CJ Stroud.
Fast forward, and the 23-year-old QB led the Texans to two consecutive playoff runs. Sure, his performance dipped in the last season after he was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year back in the 2023 season—primarily because of pass protection and those 12 receptions. But still, the Texans’ owner has faith in the team’s QB.
“He’s a great person, so he has all of our respect,” Cal McNair said of Stroud during the NFL owners’ meetings. “I think we’ve seen his ability on the field is totally there to lead the team. We’ve seen it for two years now, and I think he’ll take another step this year. He’s a great leader, and we’re looking for him to lead us where we’ve never gone before. We think he can do it.” And why not?
The guy’s entering the third season of his career after recording 2 playoff wins in the last couple of seasons. His track record? Well, let’s just say the QB was worth the hype for the second overall pick. With a record of 19-13 in the regular season, Stroud recorded 7,835 yards, 43 touchdowns, 17 interceptions, and a 93.7 passer rating. And if he manages to flip the scripts in the next season, don’t be surprised if he snags a blockbuster contract extension.
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