Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins has left the team’s training camp and is holding out for a new contract, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Saturday morning.
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Veterans were scheduled to arrive at Houston Texans training camp at midnight, but DeAndre Hopkins did not report.
The former Clemson standout is still on his rookie contract and is set to make $1 million in base salary along with $1.3 million in bonuses this season. Hopkins is also due for a $445,000 roster bonus on Wednesday, but would only receive it if he’s in camp. “He expressed his position regarding his contract status and we have been clear with he and his representatives – the focus is the season in the collective efforts and attention will be centered around this endeavor”.
If Hopkins is serious about getting a payday that he would hold out of training camp, he wouldn’t be doing this over a four million dollar extension, he is looking for a serious upgrade in cash, something the Texans don’t really have the space to do. He finished the year with 111 catches, 1,521 yards and 11 touchdowns. Every day that Hopkins misses is less of a chance he has for a big season.
Between Hopkins’ (very) brief holdout and J.J. Watt’s back surgery, it has been a tough couple weeks for the Texans, who are trying to repeat as AFC South champions after making major upgrades this offseason.
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“I love this city, I don’t want to play anywhere else but here”. Hopkins was their 2013 first round pick. They also need to see this as the right opportunity to lock up Hopkins. Paying Hopkins what he wants seems like the most logical thing to do, given that the team extended their 2011 and 2012 first-round picks – J.J. Watt received a hefty raise as he entered his fourth season in the National Football League, as did 2012 first-rounder Whitney Mercilus. “He certainly is one of those guys that we’re going to keep around here for a long time hopefully”.
