In what’s been a frenetic first few days of NFL free agency, perhaps no move was as shocking as the Houston Texans trading their All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Hopkins was shipped away to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for backup running back David Johnson and two draft picks including a second and fourth-rounder.
Though there were rumors of a potential rift between Hopkins and the Texans organization, they hadn’t been confirmed until now. Former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin appeared on ESPN’s Get Up and says he spoke to Hopkins about his trade from Houston. Irvin says Hopkins told him that head coach Bill O’Brien brought Hopkins into his office for a meeting to hash out any differences they may have had.
Hopkins says O’Brien compared the meeting to one he was forced to have with former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez who was a convicted murderer. Hopkins also added that O’Brien had an issue with him bringing the mothers of his children around the facility.
.@michaelirvin88 shared shocking details surrounding the relationship problems between Bill O'Brien and DeAndre Hopkins. pic.twitter.com/mr33pvpfxC
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) March 18, 2020
Obviously, these are shocking comments from Bill O’Brien, someone who witnessed a player self destruct first-hand in Aaron Hernandez. O’Brien was with the Patriots organization for five years, spanning from 2007 to 2011.
To compare someone who has done everything right like DeAndre Hopkins to Aaron Hernandez is simply unacceptable. Hopkins hasn’t gotten into any legal trouble during any portion of his football career including both college and the pros. O’Brien is also doubling as the Texans general manager for now.
Though it still doesn’t make sense why O’Brien would make these type of accusations about Hopkins, there is now a clear reason as to why the Texans moved on from arguably the best receiver in football. As long as O’Brien remains in charge and has control over personnel matters, the Texans could be in trouble.
