Texans coach Bill O'Brien defended trading DeAndre Hopkins to the Cardinals.
Hopkins is one of the best receivers in the league, but in a surprising trade last month, he was moved to Arizona along with a fourth-round draft pick this year in exchange for running back David Johnson and two draft picks in the second and fourth rounds over the next two years.
O'Brien explained that Hopkins, who is under contract for the next three years, wanted a new contract that the Texans were unwilling to offer.
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"I would say the deal with Arizona was a deal that we felt was in the best interest of our team," O'Brien said on a conference call with Texans season-ticket holders. "DeAndre Hopkins was a great football player here. He made so many plays for us. We love DeAndre Hopkins. But he had three years left on his deal and he wanted a raise. And we weren't going to be able to go in that direction. We felt like we had a great offer from Arizona that involved picks. That involved an excellent three-down running back who is hungry and humble and just can't wait to get started. David Johnson is going to be a great addition to our football team.
The newest weapon in the desert.
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) March 20, 2020
A look back at @DeAndreHopkins' top plays from 2019. #fbf pic.twitter.com/VqHkDNGkVQ
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O'Brien continued his defense of the deal.
"There's a lot of things that go into trades. Lot of thoughts that go in. How much are you going to take on contractually? How much does it take to buy that second-round pick, that number 40 pick? What type of player are you bringing in? What type of player are you losing and what is in the best interest of the team?"
It is not the first time O'Brien, who also acts as the general manager in Houston, has been involved in a blockbuster trade.
Three-time Pro Bowler Jadeveon Clowney was shipped to the Seahawks last year. Meanwhile, the Texans still have no first-round picks in the next two drafts due to the package O'Brien sent to the Miami Dolphins to land left tackle Laremy Tunsil and receiver Kenny Stills.
"Capital T capital E capital A capital M — everything that we do is made with the team in mind," O'Brien added. "We don't think about one player; we think about the future."