JJ Watt weighs in on DeAndre Hopkins and Bill O’Brien’s situation

As speculation and reports continue to mount about a potential DeAndre Hopkins trade, there has been one hurdle the Patriots may have to clear for that to happen.

Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien reportedly had a falling out with Hopkins while he was Texans coach, which led to the receiver being traded from Houston to Arizona. The reported falling out between the two sides has led many analysts to question whether a Hopkins trade to New England is even possible.

JJ Watt, who played with Hopkins under O’Brien in Houston and for a few years in Arizona, believes time can heal any wounds between the two sides. He also thinks Hopkins is mature enough to work through any prior animosity he may have towards O’Brien if he is traded to New England.

“I think Hop is a smart guy. He thinks about a lot of things and I also think Bill is [a smart guy too] … I don’t think it’s a situation where it would be like, ‘Oh no, you can’t work with him,'” Watt said of the situation in an interview on the “Pat McAfee Show.” that Hop is very smart and good from that perspective where he’s able to sit down and think, talk about a situation and change things.”

Watt added later that he doesn’t think Hopkins’ possible feud with O’Brien is “a situation where it would be a dealbreaker by far” when it comes to a trade to New England.

Ultimately, Watt thinks Hopkins is prioritizing one thing above all else on his next team.

“I think if Hop thinks he can win there, I think he would go,” Watt said of Hopkins possibly joining the Patriots. “I think he’s at a point in his career where he wants to have the ability to win. I think it comes down more to whether he believes he has a chance to win.

“If he believes, ‘This is a place where I can win,’ I don’t think that relationship would stop him from going there.”

It has been reported that Hopkins, who turns 31 in June, is seeking a new contract as he has two years and $34.36 million left on his current contract, bringing a cap of nearly $20 million for the season to come.

However, Hopkins may not be looking for a high-end deal like he did when he signed his extension with the Cardinals in 2020. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Hopkins would be flexible in the last two years of his current contract.

Also talk to McAfee earlier in MarchHopkins hasn’t revealed too much about where things stand between him and the Cardinals and where he might like to play next.

“I take it day by day, man,” Hopkins said of the trade rumors. “I don’t look to the future, I live in the moment. Right now the Arizona Cardinals are the team and roster I’m on. I am preparing for whatever the future holds.

Hopkins has again put up good numbers in recent seasons. He had 64 receptions for 717 yards and three touchdowns in just nine games last season as he missed time through suspension and a knee injury.

The Cardinals’ asking price appears to be similar to what they gave up for three years ago. They’re looking for a second-round pick “plus something of value,” according to Albert Breer of the Monday Morning Quarterback.