DeAndre Hopkins holding out out of Texans’ training camp
By Brad Weiss
Houston Texans star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins didn’t report to training camp and is seeking a new contract.
The 2016 Houston Texans have a lot of question marks as they begin their training camp. J.J. Watt is hurt, they have a new quarterback, and they will be without Arian Foster for the first time in seven years. DeAndre Hopkins was supposed to be one part of their team they did not have to worry about, but that all changed this weekend.
Unhappy with his contract, Hopkins left the Texans training camp, and there will now be a holdout until they can get a new deal done. ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted out about the incident on Saturday.
Unhappy with contract, Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins has left camp, holdout underway, HOU has declined to negotiate, via @taniaganguli and me.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 30, 2016
According to Pro Football Talk, Hopkins technically didn’t leave camp because he never actually showed up. Nevertheless, the point remains the same, Hopkins is not at camp and apparently won’t be until he gets a new deal.
DeAndre Hopkins, per source, did not leave camp. He never reported. Major procedural differences. Story coming at PFT.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) July 30, 2016
Earlier this month, Hopkins spoke with Tania Ganguli of ESPN, and he stated exactly what he was looking for.
“I’m not looking for a certain range,” Hopkins said. “I just want to be treated for what I’m worth. That’s fair to say, right?”
Only 24-years old, Hopkins can be one of the best in the game for at least the next six years.
Hopkins is one piece of the puzzle that the Texans cannot afford to lose, as their new quarterback is sure to experience some growing pains in his first full season as a starter. Brock Osweiler started only seven games for the Broncos last season, and at times, showed himself to be very inconsistent.
The star wide receiver has turned into one of the best in the National Football League and has started all 48 games in his three-year career. He has gone over 1,000 yards receiving the last two seasons, including over 1,500 in 2015. He was named to his first Pro Bowl in 2015, and more importantly, made it possible for the Texans to say goodbye to Andre Johnson after the 2014 season.
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