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A down hasn’t even been played in 2020, and the Houston Texans have already lost.
At least according to Peter King of NBC Sports, who was evaluating the latest notable trades in the NFL. King broke down the trade between the Arizona Cardinals and Houston Texans on March 16, and he wasn’t too complimentary of the AFC South champions.
Houston traded Hopkins and a fourth-round pick to Arizona for running back David Johnson, a second-round pick in 2020 and a fourth-round pick in 2021.
- Houston got Johnson and defensive tackle Ross Blacklock this year, and the fourth-rounder next year.
- Arizona got Hopkins and defensive tackle Rashard Lawrence.
The only way this trade isn’t a disaster for Houston is if Johnson approximates his 2016 form. Four years is a liftetime for a back, so this looks like a clear win for Hopkins and the Cardinals.
It is interesting how the only way the Texans can redeem themselves from the trade is if Johnson returns to his All-Pro form from his second year in the league. What about if — God forbid — Hopkins sustains an injury that forces him to miss a significant portion of the season? Is it a bad trade on the part of the Cardianls, or is it just bad luck and no blame is assigned?
The trade of Hopkins was a gamble. What coach and general manager Bill O’Brien risked was credibility in the locker room to send a message that a player can go get paid elsewhere; the Texans are about winning. Furthermore, O’Brien risked a great target for quarterback Deshaun Watson to give him a running back that could help take the load off. Like it or not, but if the Texans end up in the AFC Championship Game in 2020, the trade paid off, and it is another win for the O’Brien Way.
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