Could DeAndre Hopkins-David Johnson trade between Texans and Cardinals fall through?
The biggest trade of this NFL offseason still hasn't been made official, and it's not out of the realm of possibility that it completely falls apart.
All NFL team facilities are shut down due to the coronavirus. That means if a player hasn't passed his physical, no free-agent contract is official. That also includes trades. Of course, the shocking swap this offseason was the Houston Texans shipping All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals for running back David Johnson and a couple of draft picks.
Pretty much every NFL expert ripped Texans coach/general manager Bill O'Brien for that deal. For example, try that trade on "Madden NFL 20" and the simulation rejects it because it is so lopsided for Arizona.
However, it's not an official trade yet because both players have to pass their physicals and that has yet to happen. Because draft picks are involved, both would have to before this month's draft or the teams would have to agree on new terms. In theory, this could give the Texans an "out" if their doctors were to fail Johnson in a physical. Â
Is that likely? Certainly not as no teams would want to deal with O'Brien ever again. Plus, O'Brien and Hopkins reportedly were not on good terms as it was, with the coach essentially likening Hopkins to Aaron Hernandez at one point in a private meeting. O'Brien also has said that Hopkins wanted a raise – he has three years left on his current deal -- and the Texans didn't want to do it
CBS Sports' Cody Benjamin today posted a story on the Top 10 worst NFL moves of 2020 and the Hopkins deal was No. 1 from Houston's perspective. The Texans have in theory replaced Hopkins by signing former Cowboys/Packers receiver Randall Cobb to a three -year, $27 million deal.
Houston and Arizona do not play this season sadly. The Cardinals have a win total of 6.5 at William Hill sportsbook and the Texans 8.
