Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Cole Thompson

Texans VP Hannah McNair takes delightful dig at Cleveland Browns heading

Cal McNair keeps a stern face whenever addressing something surrounding the Houston Texans. 

Hannah McNair isn’t afraid to ruffle some feathers. 

As the Houston Texans prepare for what looks to be a promising 2024 season, the McNairs continue to see their popularity rise. Cal, who was named the majority owner during last year’s owner’s meetings, continues to win over the fans with his social media presence. 

Hannah McNair, however, truly has embraced the H-Town culture, going so far as to take a few playful jabs at other teams. Recently on The Ultimate Fan Experience with Texans super fan Steve Beckholt, Hannah said Houston fans should actually be friendly toward the Cleveland Browns. 

Why? 

“Have you thanked a Brown lately,” Hannah told Beckholt. “I thank them for all of our players.”  

Players? What? What are you talking about, Hannah? 

Thanks to the infamous Deshaun Watson trade of 2022, the Texans were primed with enough draft capital to secure top-end talent en route to being considered a threat in the AFC. Watson, the expected franchise quarterback for the AFC South club, demanded a trade following the 2020 COVID-19 season after Houston hired Nick Caserio and David Culley. 

After dealing with a year’s worth of lawsuits, the Texans obliged, sending Watson to Cleveland in exchange for six total draft picks, including three first-round selections. 

Let’s look back and see how all six picks were used

  • The 2022 first (13) was traded to the Eagles for Nos. 15, 124, 162, and 166. Two picks later, the Texans drafted OL Kenyon Green
  • Pick No. 124 was subsequently traded to the Browns with 68 and 108 for No. 44 to draft WR John Metchie III
  • Pick No. 162 was subsequently traded to the Broncos with 80 for No. 75 to draft LB Christian Harris
  • Pick No. 166 was subsequently traded to the Bears with 207 for No. 150 to select DL Thomas Booker
  • The 2022 fourth (104) was used on RB Dameon Pierce
  • The 2023 first (12) was traded to the Cardinals with pick No. 33 and Houston’s first-round pick for Nos. 3 and 105. The Texans would select Defensive Rookie of the Year and DE Will Anderson Jr. 
  • Pick No. 105 was subsequently traded to the Eagles for a 2024 third-round pick, which was later used to select DB Calen Bullock
  • The 2023 third (73) was traded to the Rams with 161 for No. 69, which was used to select WR Tank Dell
  • The 2024 1st (23) was traded to the Vikings with 232 for Nos. 42, 188, and MIN’s 2025 2nd. Pick No. 42 later became CB Kamari Lassiter, while pick No. 188 became LB Jamal Hill. The 2025 2nd-round pick was later used to land four-time Pro Bowler Stefon Diggs. 
  • The 2024 fourth (123) was traded to the Eagles and then back to the Texans to land TE Cade Stover

Booker is the only player not a part of the Texans. Harris, Green and Dell are key starters at their respective positions, while Anderson is the foundation of Houston’s pass rush. 

Lassiter and Bullock are expected to be long-term starters in the secondary next to Derek Stingley Jr., Jalen Pitre and Jimmie Ward. Stover, who was C.J. Stroud’s security blanket at Ohio State, should factor in the passing game in some capacity as a rookie before expanding his role. Hill and Pierce are high-end backups who could start at any moment. 

And Watson? He’s missed 11 games in each of his first two seasons with the Browns, due to suspension and injuries. In the 12 starts he’s made over two seasons, he’s thrown 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions while posting an 8-4 record. 

The Texans also bettered their draft pick used in the Anderson trade to Arizona by beating Cleveland 45-14 in the wild-card round last season. Stroud, the franchise’s future, became the youngest passer in league history to win a playoff game en route to winning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. 

So yes, thank a Browns fan if you know one, Texans nation. Those are Hannah’s orders and we follow whatever she says. 

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.