HOUSTON, TX—Star wideout DeAndre Hopkins has decided to hold out at the Houston Texans training camp until a long-term contract extension can be reached, according to ESPN.
Hopkins is in the last year of his rookie contract, and will be subject to fines of $40,000 for each day of camp that he misses. According to ESPN sources, he did not report to the start of camp.
During the offseason, the Texans’ organization picked up the fifth-year option on Hopkins’ contract, thus extending his contract for another season after the current one. Part of his contract is a $445,000 roster bonus due to him on Wednesday, but Hopkins will not receive the money if he continues to hold out past that date.
A week ago, Hopkins addressed his contract situation, and his hopefulness that it would resolve itself during the offseason.
“I’m not looking for a certain range,” said Hopkins during a break at a football camp for local children. “I just want to be treated for what I’m worth. That’s fair to say, right?”
Hopkins was a first-round pick in 2013. He has had a very successful young career to this point. Last year he became the first player in NFL history to record 100-yard games from four different quarterbacks in the same season. He finished the year as one of the top receivers in the game with 111 catches, 1,521 yards, and 11 touchdowns.
If the Texans hope to compete on offense this year, especially with a new quarterback in Brock Osweiler, they will need to get Hopkins back on the field as soon as possible.
