The Texans don't sound interested in giving DeAndre Hopkins more money
Houston puts its star WR on the Reserve/Did Not Report list
By
Will Brinson
•
1 min read
On Saturday, DeAndre Hopkins made a statement with his actions, by leaving Texans training camp and indicating to the team he would like a new contract.
Hopkins has two years left on his rookie deal, including a fifth-year option, but wants to be paid like an elite wideout after posting elite wideout numbers -- 111 catches, 1,521 yards, 6 touchdowns -- in 2015.
The Texans, as pointed out Saturday by John McClain of the Houston Chronicle, don't typically redo contracts with two years remaining on deals.
Houston made its stance pretty clear later Saturday, when the team officially placed Hopkins on the Reserve/Did Not Report list and issued a statement basically saying the franchise has no intention of giving him more money.
"We are disappointed DeAndre has elected not to report to training camp with the rest of his teammates," Smith said. "He has expressed his position regarding his contract status, and we have been clear with both he and his representatives of ours. Our focus is on the 2016 season and all of our collective efforts and attention with be centered on that endeavor."
So there's just an old-fashioned standoff brewing here. It's hard to imagine Hopkins actually not reporting, considering what the potential for his 2016 holds in store. An improvement at quarterback with the addition of Brock Osweiler should mean better stats for him, and with Lamar Miller at running back and Will Fuller/Braxton Miller added to the wide receiver group, the Texans have a spicy offense.
Hopkins could set himself up for a massive pay day by playing out his deal in elite fashion.
But his frustration is understandable. The Texans don't typically redo contracts with two years left, but they recently gave J.J. Watt a big pile of money despite the defensive lineman having two years left on his deal.
Different story, of course, because Watt is a superhuman and a repeat Defensive Player of the Year winner. But Hopkins is still a young stud and probably the second-best player on the Texans.
Everyone else on an offense that revolves around him just got a nice pay day and Houston's rule about contracts isn't hard and fast as exhibited by the Watt deal. You can see why he would like more money.
Good luck getting it from a Texans team that appears to be dug in.
