Hopkins-Johnson trade officially done
Meanwhile, team re-signs cornerback Roby for $36M; former Cowboys receiver Cobb handed 3 years, $27M
The Texans made it official Saturday afternoon, announcing their trade of All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals for former All-Pro running back David Johnson.
They also announced several other roster moves, including resigning cornerback Bradley Roby. The cornerback received a threeyear, $36 million maximum value contract that includes, $18 million guaranteed, according to league sources not authorized to speak publicly.
Monday, Hopkins and a fourthround pick were traded to the Cardinals in exchange for former AllPro running back David Johnson, a second-round pick and a fourthround selection.
The Texans traded Hopkins partially because of his displeasure with his five-year, $81 million contract that included $49 million guaranteed and communicating through his representatives that he would hold out if he didn’t get a raise, according to multiple league sources not authorized to speak publicly.
Hopkins wants a raise up to $19 million to $20 million annually, per sources, from his current $16.2 million average per year. He’s due a $12.5 million base salary this year, $13.5 million in 2021 and $13.915 million in 2022.
There was friction between Hopkins and Texans coach and general manager Bill O’Brien for years, according to multiple team and NFL sources. Hopkins caught 104 passes for 1,165 yards and seven touchdowns last season and was named All-Pro for the third consecutive year.
Johnson, 28, is a big, fast former third-round draft pick from Northern Iowa. The Cardinals have placed the transition tag on running back Kenyan Drake.
The concern with Johnson would be his health due to a history of recent knee problems..
Johnson rushed for 345 yards and two touchdowns last season and caught 36 passes for 370 yards and four touchdowns.
He signed a three-year, $39 million contract extension in 2018 that included $30 million guaranteed. In 2018, he rushed for 940 yards and seven touchdowns and caught 50 passes for 446 yards and three touchdowns.
For his career, Johnson has rushed for 3,128 yards and 33 touchdowns and has 208 catches for 2,219 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns.
Meanwhile, the Texans announced their other deals.
That includes former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Randall Cobb (three years, $27 million), former Cleveland Browns safety Eric Murray (three years, $20.25 million), former New York Jets offensive tackle Brent Qvale (one year deal), former Los Angeles Chargers safety Jaylen Watkins (two years, $3 million) and re-signing inside linebacker Tyrell Adams (one year deal), cornerback Phillip Gaines (one year, $1.05 million), cornerback Vernon Hargreaves (one year), offensive tackle Roderick Johnson (one year, $1.75 million), quarterback A.J. McCarron (one year, $4 million) and long snapper Jon Weeks (one year).