Houston Texans Pro Bowl wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins held a brief holdout at the beginning of training camp, but has since returned to training camp after initially being disappointed by the Texans contract stance.
“I, too, am disappointed that the Texans organization has elected not to enter into contract negotiation to secure my future as a Texan,” said Hopkins.
Hopkins is entering his last season of his rookie deal and will be making $1.4M this season. Hopkins’ return to the team made him eligible for the $445,004 roster bonus he received on August 4.
Hopkins had the third most receiving yards in the NFL last season, while being thrown the ball by four different quarterbacks. The Texans have always been focused on defense. Last year they gave a contract extension to J.J. Watt and Whitney Mercilus; both of them were in their last year of the rookie contract.
The Texans also gave an extension to GM Rick Smith. Smith has said that the Texans’ position on Hopkins’ contract is firm and they will not negotiate this season.
Hopkins is expected to have another breakout season after the Texans drafted some speedy wide receivers such as Will Fuller from Notre Dame and Braxton Miller from Ohio State, who should help Hopkins’ role in the offense become more potent. Another thing that should add to Hopkins’ production is the addition of Brock Osweiler at the quarterback position.