How strong is Bob McNair's loyalty to general manager Rick Smith?

HOUSTON -- Today's contract extension for Houston Texans general manager Rick Smith should come as no surprise.

Every time he's had the chance, owner Bob McNair praised Smith. He told me in March that Smith was doing "a fine job." Fans might have grumbled about the general manager at various points in the last decade, but the only person whose opinion truly matters for Smith's job security never did. The blockbuster offseason the Texans had only grew McNair's affection for the job Smith did. Smith got him a quarterback. He completely revamped an offense that needed a lot of work.

This extension, which adds four years to Smith's existing contract, goes through the 2020 season. The question…