On March 20, the Houston Texans dealt star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals in what many have called a lopsided trade.
Hopkins reflected on the career-altering move in Sports Illustrated's new cover story. According to Hopkins, the business-like call he received from Texans head coach Bill O'Brien informing him of the trade summed up their relationship, or lack thereof.
"There was no relationship," Hopkins said. "Make sure you put that in there. There’s not a lot to speak about."
Rumors of tension between Hopkins and O'Brien emerged after Michael Irvin alleged that the former Patriots coach equated him to Aaron Hernandez in a meeting. At the time, Hopkins downplayed Irvin's account in a tweet, stating that their interaction was "blown way out of proportion," and he has "the utmost respect" for O'Brien.
While Hopkins would only corroborate that a meeting did take place, he did address the string of subsequent anonymous reports following what Irvin had said, that mentioned how his missed practices negatively impacted the team and questioned the people he had been hanging around with. "Obviously, we know where all that's coming from," Hopkins responded.
Hopkins, however, took the time to explain that his missed practices were due to a litany of injuries he suffered in 2018, while also rejecting the narrative that his absences hurt the team. "No evidence," he said. "Go back and check the practice film."
As for the trade, O'Brien said that the four-time Pro Bowler's desire for "a raise" played a part in the Texans' decision to move off of him. Little did they know that the organization was playing into Hopkins' hands because he knew "that asking for a little raise would lead to the outcome that I got," adding that it was also "the outcome that I wanted."
Hopkins explained that before the deal, he told friends that he had "a hunch" that he would wind up on the Cardinals. Premonitions aside, the 27-year-old is ready to embrace the unknown, especially in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, saying, "It’s not weird, this time we’re living in, because if you’re spiritual, you understand that right now it is time to change."
