DeAndre Hopkins 'wasn't trying to send a message' to Texans with holdout

By Cameron DaSilva
Published

One of the shortest holdouts in NFL history ended on Sunday when DeAndre Hopkins reported to Houston Texans training camp just one day after choosing not to show up. His brief stint away from camp was the result of his displeasure with his current contract, which has two years left on it.

It’s clear Hopkins, who’s the 69th-highest-paid wide receiver annually, wants to be compensated accordingly for his production, which is among the best in the league. He issued a statement on Sunday addressing the issue he took with the Texans being unwilling to enter contract negotiations.

On Monday, he followed up that statement and talked to reporters briefly after practice, saying he’s confident a deal will get done. When asked what changed his mind about the holdout, Hopkins indicated that it was his desire to play football.

“I play football. That’s what I love doing,” he said. “I love my teammates, I love my coaches, I love this organization.”

A follow-up question was asked of the relationship between Hopkins and another party – likely the front office – but the wideout asked for another question before it could be asked.

Hopkins continued to say that he loves the game of football, and it’s his job to go out and help win football games.

"I play football for a living," Hopkins said. "That's my job, that's what I love doing. I love coming out here and being with my teammates. I've just got to keep working. I know it will come. I'm not rushing it. I know it'll happen one day."

Hopkins is most likely talking about his contract when saying “it’ll happen one day,” though he opted not to clarify what he was referring to. However, he did say that he wasn’t trying to send a message to anyone. He was simply doing what he felt was best for him.

“I wasn’t trying to send a message or anything like that,” he said. “I was doing what I felt was best for me and my family, also.”

Hopkins is entering his third NFL season after catching 111 passes for 1,521 yards and 11 touchdowns.