Should the holdout reach six days of training camp, the Texans have the option to recoup 15 percent of the prorated portion of Hopkins’ $3.926 million signing bonus.
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He reiterated his frustration over the Texans’ refusal to negotiate an extension with him in a statement released Sunday.
“I wasn’t trying to send a message or anything like that”. “I was doing what I felt like was best for me and my family”. He’ll make $1.445 million total this year. “All I have to do is come out here and prove what I’m worth”.
Hopkins, who had planned to hold a media conference on Sunday but postponed it until Monday, faced $40,000 in fines for each day he held out. On the first play in 1-on-1 drills, Hopkins made a highlight-reel touchdown catch, beating Jonathan Joseph on a pass from Osweiler. O’Brien called him “day to day”. “Look, he’s right back in the swing of things”.
You could potentially throw a Calvin Johnson comparison in there but the plays Hopkins makes on the field justifies the extra pay-day he is looking for. “It’s good to have everybody out there”. His absence lasted all of a day.
In short, Hopkins wants to get paid. Hopkins is back. He told us he’s sure that it’ll all be OK in the long term, “Everything will work itself out”.
Along those same lines, Hopkins just put up a season that, statistically, will be hard to replicate if the Texans achieve the balance on offense that they’re seeking, with RB Lamar Miller now in the fold and the signing of QB Brock Osweiler to go with drafting speedsters Will Fuller and Braxton Miller at wide receiver. Hopkins showed enthusiasm for the receiver group as a whole. “I let them do the negotiating”. “We are excited about returning to the team and grind this camp”.
“I really don’t have thoughts on that”, Hopkins said about having a goal of being a long-term Texan. I love my teammates, coaches and this organization.
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Earlier on Sunday, Texans general manager Rick Smith said: “His actions are counterintuitive to any of the productive energy that is necessary for anything to get done”. Hopkins was holding out despite being under contract to the Texans. Texans owner Bob McNair told Sportsradio 610’s John McClain “I think it’s in (Hopkins) best interest to be here”. There’s been times we’ve gone at it and he understands why and we move on.
