What did they get in return

Simple answer: not a thing that's worth a damn. The actual answer: running back David Johnson, a 2nd round pick, and a swap of 4th round picks. Johnson hasn't been a real factor in the last three seasons. The 2nd rounder and 4th round swap should've included a 1st rounder, if not more. To get so little in return was like rubbing salt in the wound while pouring alcohol on it, then wrapping it in sand paper.

Stunting Deshaun Watson's growth

Having a receiver like Hopkins is a quarterback's best friend. He's relaible because he runs immaculate routes and catches anything remotely close to his catch radius. He may not have the blazing speed, but he will win most one on one battles for the ball. The only thing fans can hope for is for the team to take a receiver in the draft that can fulfill some of the Grand Canyon-sized void Hopkins leaves behind. Without a 1st rounder, that will be tough. Watson no longer has his security blanket, which will hurt his growth because he no longer has that one guy he can rely on to make the tough catch in a critical time.

O'Brien's history of buffonery

Getting what he got for Hopkins feeds the narrative of him being a dumbass as a GM. Extending Whitney Mercilus, Ka'imi Fairbairn, Nick Martin, and Bennardrick McKinney were all boneheaded moves for one reason or another. Trading Hopkins, Jadeveon Clowney, and Duane Brown for quarter waters, half-smoked cigarettes, and leftover wing dinners adds uel to the dumpster fire that he's been as a personnel guy. O'Briwen is the type of GM that would not fill up his gas tank during hurricane season, only to run out of gas trying to leave the city, then get flooded in his vehicle because he get stuck in a high water area because he tried to drive through it. He's woefully inept at many of the hats he wears, yet the McNairs seem to be okay as long as the bottom line is in the black instead of the red.

Only one thing stops this madness

More and more I'm hearing Texans' fans say they're fed up. Whether they show it when it counts is another thing. The only way this type of behavoir is deemed unacceptable is if it starts to hurt the bottom line. When the team starts to lsoe money, the McNairs will finally listen. I was told by a very trusted source that only six to eight teams every year actively pursue winning a title. The others are solely out to make a profit. Should they happen to win, that's just an added bonus. The Texans are proving to be one of those profiteers.