Houston Texans receiver DeAndre Hopkins chooses to trust the organization when it comes to the unexpected firing of general manager Brian Gaine.
The All-Pro wideout took time to answer the media’s questions about the front office shift Saturday at an autograph and memorabilia convention in Houston.
“I’m pretty sure it was unexpected for a guy to have a contract for five years,” Hopkins said. “But the organization, you got to trust them. Those guys are making decisions above my pay grade, man. So, I go out and execute the plays that are called for me.”
Hopkins produced 115 catches for 1,572 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, which turned out to be the only season of the Gaine regime. 2018 was a successful one for both the Texans, who finished 11-5 and won the AFC South, and Hopkins, who earned his second consecutive first-team All-Pro selection.
Nonetheless, firing a general manager on June 7 rather than January 7 comes across as weird timing. For Hopkins, who has been focusing his offseason on recovering from a shoulder injury sustained in the 21-7 wild-card playoff loss to the Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium on January 5, he isn’t too sure what constitutes as “weird timing.”
Said Hopkins: “For me, I’m not sure what weird timing is as far as those kind of decisions. But, like I said, I can only go out and do what I can on the football field. So, I’m sure the organization felt like that’s what was best for us. So, that’s what I’m going with.”
Whoever the new general manager is for the Texans, they won’t have to worry about finding a No. 1 receiver as Hopkins has that position locked down. Certainly having a stable presence such as Hopkins around makes the transition from Gaine to his eventual successor a little easier, even if the timing is unexpected.
