DeAndre Hopkins Trade Was in Texans' 'Best Interest,' HC Bill O'Brien Says

Houston Texans head coach Bill O'Brien believes trading DeAndre Hopkins was the right one for the organization. 

Per Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, the newly minted general manager said the deal was done "in the best interest" of the Texans. 

"DeAndre Hopkins was a great football player," he said. "We loved DeAndre Hopkins. He had three years left on his deal and he wanted a raise. David Johnson is going to be a great addition to our football team."

Prior to the deal, Hopkins' representatives approached the Texans about a new contract worth between $18-20 million per season, per ESPN's Dianna Russini, and the four-time Pro Bowler was prepared to hold out.

Hopkins' current deal runs for three more seasons with salaries of $12.5 million in 2020, $13.5 million in 2021 and $13.915 million in 2022, per Spotrac. 

The Texans stunned the football world on March 16 by agreeing to send their No. 1 wideout and a 2020 fourth-round draft pick to the Arizona Cardinals for Johnson, a 2020 second-round draft pick and a 2021 fourth-round draft pick. 

Houston's side of the trade was roundly criticized, with one anonymous executive telling Mike Sando of The Athletic it "was a joke."

Hopkins has established himself as one of the NFL's top wide receivers since being drafted No. 27 overall by the Texans in 2013. The Clemson alum has posted more than 1,100 yards and six receiving touchdowns in five of the past six seasons.