Report: Texans' Hopkins holding out for new contract
DeAndre Hopkins is reportedly angling for a new deal.
The Houston Texans wide receiver is staying away from training camp as he officially begins a holdout, according to Tania Ganguli and Adam Schefter of ESPN.
An initial report indicated that Hopkins left the team facilities to make his case for an extension, but ESPN later clarified that the star playmaker hadn't reported with the rest of his teammates in the first place.
It's a surprise move for Hopkins and his representation, as there hadn't been any indication to this point that he was considering sitting out summer practices.
The Texans are reportedly declining to negotiate, though, so it's possible the situation has turned sour.
Hopkins is tentatively scheduled to play the 2016 season under a salary of just $1.4 million. Houston has also already picked up his fifth-year option for 2017 at $7.9 million, meaning he still has another two years before getting an opportunity to leverage the free-agent market.
Having established himself as one of the NFL's elite wide receivers, the 24-year-old is presumably seeking some long-term security in the form of a deal that pays him accordingly.
The significant gap between his current salary and that of the league high for the position ($15 million) evidently has Hopkins willing to risk the $40,000 in fines he can face for each day missed at camp.
Hopkins made his first Pro Bowl appearance last year after hauling in 111 receptions for 1,521 yards and 11 touchdowns in 16 regular-season starts.