Bill O'Brien Tells Texans Fans to Let DeAndre Hopkins Trade Play out

Houston Texans head coach Bill O'Brien is preaching patience when it comes to the decision to trade wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals for running back David Johnson and a second-round pick.

According to TMZ Sports, O'Brien said: "The best thing I can tell the fans is to please ... I think we have to let it all play out! Let it play out. Let the whole thing play out!"

O'Brien later added: "I would say let's review it a year from now. Two years from now. Three years from now. Let's let it all play out."

The decision to trade Hopkins at the start of free agency was a shocking one, as he ranks second in team history in every major receiving category behind only Andre Johnson.

Hopkins has also been named a Pro Bowler and First-Team All-Pro in each of the past three seasons, and he is a four-time Pro Bower overall during his seven-year NFL career.

The former Clemson standout finished with 104 catches for 1,165 yards and seven touchdowns last season. He has recorded at least 96 receptions in each of the past three seasons and topped the 1,000-yard mark in five of the past six seasons as well.

In addition to being one of the most consistently productive wideouts in the NFL over the past several years, Hopkins is still only 27 years old and has three years remaining on his contract at an annual salary of about $13.3 million per season.

Per Patrick D. Starr of Sports Illustrated, O'Brien previously intimated that Hopkins' desire for a new contract was what primarily led to the decision to trade him.

Getting Johnson in return was a curious decision on the surface since he hasn't been very productive since 2016. Johnson missed all but one game due to injury in 2017, averaged just 3.6 yards per carry in 2018 and finished last season with only 345 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, plus 36 receptions for 370 yards and four more touchdowns through the air.

The Cards paid Johnson like an elite running back after he led the NFL with 2,118 yards from scrimmage and 20 total touchdowns in 2016, but the contract didn't work out.

Johnson, 28, has two years left on his contract and will make $10.2 million next season, which isn't consistent with his recent production or lack thereof.

The Texans are seemingly hopeful that Johnson can take over the lead back role from Carlos Hyde after Hyde surprised with 1,070 rushing yards last season.

The biggest key to the trade could be the second-round pick the Texans acquired since they don't own a first-rounder. Landing that pick also allowed the Texans to send their other second-round pick to the Los Angeles Rams for wide receiver Brandin Cooks to replace Hopkins.

If Johnson returns to his previous form, Cooks produces at a Pro Bowl level and the Texans select an impact player at No. 40 overall, perhaps O'Brien and Co. can change the fans' minds with regard to whether the Hopkins trade was a good one.