Texans Are Refusing To Negotiate With DeAndre Hopkins

Image via Zimbio

Despite the assurance of Houston Texans owner Bob McNair that he would take care of DeAndre Hopkins, there are currently no contract negotiations going on towards that end.

This is the word from Texans general manager Rick Smith, via Ian Rapoport of NFL Media.

Full quote from #Texans GM Rick Smith on Hopkins: "There is not a negotiation happening at this point. He's under contract for 2 more yrs."

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 6, 2016

It’s a rather brutal message from the organization to a guy who has proven himself as one of the NFL’s elite receivers.

Hopkins is set to earn less than $1.5 million this year in the fourth year of his rookie contract. His production would indicate he deserves to be paid like one of the top wideouts in the game. Last year, he caught 111 passes for 1,521 yards and 11 touchdowns, playing with inferior quarterbacks.

Because of this disparity between his pay and production, Hopkins opted to hold out at the beginning of camp. The farce lasted just one day, however, after Smith made it abundantly clear it would have no impact on landing a new deal.

Hopkins came right back the next day and has been toeing the company line ever since.