Getty Head coach Bill O'Brien of the Houston Texans
The Houston Texans shocked the NFL world on Monday when they announced a massive trade deal for star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins in exchange for Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson and draft picks.
As many wonder why head coach and de factor general manager Bill O’Brien would allow such a pivotal part of his offense to walk, retired NFL star Michael Irvin shed new explosive details on their alleged strained relationship.
Speaking on ESPN’s “Get Up” Wednesday morning, the former Dallas Cowboys wideout says Hopkins explained to him that O’Brien believed Hopkins had too much “influence over the locker room” and in the same conversation uttered, “the last time I had to have a meeting like this, it was with Aaron Hernandez.”
You can watch his full remarks below, and read the transcript here.
In addition, Irvin reports that Coach O’Brien allegedly didn’t like Hopkins having the mother of his children around from time to time.
“From there, I think the relationship just went bad from there,” Irvin concluded.
Several others on Twitter tuned into the interview, and their reactions are just as you’d imagine.
.@michaelirvin88 shared shocking details surrounding the relationship problems between Bill O’Brien and DeAndre Hopkins.
Did y’all hear what @michaelirvin88 just said to @Espngreeny on @GetUpESPN: that @HoustonTexans coach Bill O’Brien actually called @DeAndreHopkins into his office and mentioned the late Aaron Hernandez in the same breath as D-Hop?? Oh! I’m really done with O’Brien if that’s true.
Michael Irvin just stated on ESPN that Deandre Hopkins told him directly Bill O’Brien compared him to Aaron Hernandez and talked down on the mothers of his children. Insane. This was all a power trip for O’Brien. Get him out of Houston now. This man is dangerous.
If what Michael Irvin just said on @GetUpESPN is true (and I have no reason to not believe him), then Bill O’Brien is about to have a lot of explaining to do about the conversations with Hopkins prior to the trade.
Texans Twitter was already airing their grievances out at O’Brien for offloading someone who has made an impact on the team on and off the field, and this revelation will likely add to their annoyance.
Hopkins Was Reportedly Upset Over Contract
Considering he’s arguably one of the league’s best receivers, Hopkins would rightfully like to be paid such an amount that justifies his talents. Per Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle, Hopkins was reportedly upset with his current $40 million contract, which would have kept him at NFG Stadium for another three seasons. In 2017, the Clemson product signed a five-year, $81 million contract with $49 million guaranteed.
DeAndre Hopkins, traded to the Cardinals for running back David Johnson, was unhappy with his contract, according to sources. Texans weren’t going to alter existing deal with $40 million remaining and three years.
The 27-year-old was hoping to renegotiate for something better, but Wilson adds Houston’s front office weren’t interested in discussing the deal any further. As a result, Texans receive a 28-year-old Johnson to liven up their run game while rising star Kyler Murray has yet another weapon entering his sophomore year.
Eagles Reportedly Inquired About Hopkins’ Services
While the Cardinals debatably got the better end of this transaction, they weren’t the only franchise who were interested in Hopkins.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Philadelphia Eagles were also keen on adding Hopkins to their depth chart.
@AdamSchefter “I think the Eagles are looking at the WRs in this draft & salivating at the possibility”
Bleeding Green Nation with more of Schefter’s remarks: “The Texans did speak to the Eagles at one point about DeAndre Hopkins. And I think the Eagles decided at this point in this time, with everything that you were going to have to do, you were going to have to pay the Texans, you were going to have to pay Hopkins a new contract, give up compensation … I think they decided that that wasn’t the right move. Now, I don’t know if that’s because this is maybe the deepest draft at wide receiver there is ever, or if they liked what they had, or if they had other ideas in mind. I don’t know why. But for whatever reason, I think they believe it wasn’t worth it. So, they did have conversations there.”
Schefter did say “at one point,” so it’s unclear the timetable of when the conversation initiated. Regardless, this won’t sit well with many Eagles fans, who are desperate for an arsenal to help support Carson Wentz next year.