2:36pm: Hopkins has officially returned to camp, and Texans have expressed an willingness to engage in contract talks, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
1:49pm: DeAndre Hopkins‘ holdout is over after after one day, as the Texans wideout has released a statement and will return to camp, according to Tania Ganguli of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Hopkins will hold a press conference tomorrow.
[RELATED: Texans extend GM Rick Smith]
“I too am disappointed that the Texans organization has elected not to enter into contract negotiations to secure my future as a Texan,” reads Hopkins’ statement. “I have expressed my sincere position regarding my contract status and with sound mind have expressed my stance to the Texans organization. My focus also is on the 2016 season and to help my team reach our ultimate goal. Having said that I am returning to the Houston Texans to play for a Super Bowl…”
The 2013 first-round pick is set to earn $1MM in 2016 via his base salary and an additional $445K via a roster bonus, and the team recently picked up the receiver’s $7.92MM fifth-year option for 2017. Paying less than $10MM for two years of All-Pro production is an obvious bargain, and Hopkins’ 2016 base salary ranks 65th in the league. For comparison’s sake, Bears wideout Alshon Jeffery leads all wideouts with a $14.59MM base salary for next season.
Following a breakout 2014 campaign, Hopkins truly established himself as one of the league’s top receivers in 2015. Hopkins finished with career-highs in receptions (111), receiving yards (1,521), and touchdowns (11), earning him his first Pro Bowl appearance, while Pro Football Focus placed Hopkins sixth among their rankings of the league’s pass-catchers.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
That was fast. I do wonder if the Texans missed a nice opportunity here though. They’ve got Hopkins for two years minimum and they could’ve used that as leverage to get a few of his free agency years for cheaper than normal while Hopkins would get the benefit of making more money these next two years than he is currently set up for. It’ll all probably work out anyway, so might be a moot point.
I think he made his point. Whether it was one day or three weeks it wouldn’t have made a difference in his contract and would have only hurt him in missing that time to gel with Brock. By coming back quickly, and releasing the statement he did, it makes it clear to everyone he’s taking the high road in this situation. Now, during negotiations or when he ends up leaving if the Texans don’t compensate him accordingly, this is something he can point back to and say that he was a team-first guy.
Very good press release too – I like the “with sound mind” part. It’s good to know he’s not undergoing a psychosis or influenced by drugs while typing it up.
Well that didn’t take long. At least he finally realized he didn’t have any leverage and that all holding out would accomplish is getting himself heavily fined.