Former Houston Texans star wide receiver Andre Johnson believes his old team's season was doomed as soon as Bill O'Brien traded DeAndre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals.
Johnson said the deal that an inherent impact on the Texans, a team that had previously made the playoffs in each of the last two seasons:
“I think that it all started with the trade then it seems like it was a trickle-down effect with everything that’s happened,” Johnson said, via Michael LoRé of Forbes.
The Hopkins trade—which occurred on the first day of free agency—sent shock waves throughout the NFL.
O'Brien had given up arguably the best receiver in the game in exchange for an injury-riddled running back in David Johnson and draft capital, though none of those future picks are first-rounders.
Houston promptly began the season 0-4, and O'Brien was fired from his role as general manager and head coach after reportedly getting into it with star defensive tackle J.J. Watt and defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver.
Hopkins, meanwhile, continues to show why is one of the most talented pass-catchers of this generation. The three-time All-Pro ranks third in the NFL in receptions (77) and fourth in reception yards (967). He also provided one of the most dramatic moments of the year by hauling in the “Hail Murray,” which gave the Cardinals a stunning victory over the Buffalo Bills in Week 10.
The Texans have actually righted the ship, at least somewhat. Houston has won three of its last four. Still, at 4-7, the Texans' playoff hopes are all but dashed.
Johnson thinks they never had a chance after dealing Hopkins.
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