INTERVIEW

DeAndre Hopkins discusses how close the Texans are to winning a championship

DeAndre Hopkins discusses how close the Texans are to winning a championship
Composite photo by Jack Brame

Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins and his mother Sabrina Greenlee caught up with The Main Event's Cody Stoots and Jake Asman from Radio Row in Miami. They talked about Sabrina's upcoming film "Sabrina" and Hopkins shared his thoughts on losing to the Chiefs, how close the Texans are to winning a championship, and more.

You can read the transcript below where Hopkins talks about the Texans' season or you can listen to the entire interview if you want to hear more about the upcoming movie.

On the Chiefs loss and playing through the injury (Rib/finger)

It's football. I knew, obviously going out there playing, being injured, it didn't matter to me. We had a lot to fight for. I'm pretty sure a lot of my other teammates were banged up also. It was a tough game. Really don't want to re-live it too much obviously (laughs). But Kansas City is a great team you can't take anything away from those guys. They beat us out fair and square. Obviously a great comeback by Patrick Mahomes and those guys but uh, you know, I'm pulling for them. Sammy Watkins is a fellow teammate of mine at Clemson University. Also like family to me. So I'm happy for them.

On the big lead and did they think they were going to the AFC title game?

Oh, man. No question. No question. Up 24 to nothing there's no question in your head we're going to the AFC title game. But obviously us beating ourselves, making mistakes, turnover, just little critical mistakes. But I think everyone went out there and played hard. I don't think anybody has any regrets.

On Deshaun Watson continuing to grow

That's what I love about Deshaun. He never feels like he arrived. Little things, even if he's faking a hand-off. Little stuff like that, that you wouldn't think a quarterback is hard on himself. Deshaun, he's his biggest critic. I don't expect him to feel like 'Oh, you know, we had a good year, let me not work on it' that's not Deshaun at all. He's a hard worker. I know he's going to come out next year and demand the most from us, his teammates, and also himself.

On if Bill O'Brien is overloaded with the new GM title

You know, it's not easy man. I'm pretty sure he has a lot on his plate, but he handles it pretty well. Being able to go out there and still coach a team at a competitive level the way we did and compete for almost a title man, it's not easy, he's human, but he does a great job handling it very well.

Could Bill actually be better at the GM job because he is the coach?

I'm not sure. I can't speak on that because I've never, honestly, I don't know how that works upstairs. What those guys go through, I'm pretty sure other GM's are pretty knowledgeable about football. But, I think it's definitely probably an advantage that he's coached before and you know actually been out there on the football field and knows exactly what's going on X's and O's wise. So I'm pretty sure that helps.

Are the Texans close to getting to an AFC Title game and ultimately a Super Bowl?

Oh, there's no question that we're close. Obviously, us being up 24 to nothing on a team playing for a Super Bowl, I don't think that's a question. But I think that everyone has to perform at their peak ability in those games. You know, beating ourselves will not help. Turnovers, little things like that. It's a players league. Players out there playing. So I think for us to get over that hump everyone has to take accountability for their own job.

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The roster is coming into focus! Composite Getty Image.

While a lot hasn't happened yet in free agency, we did learn quite a bit from Astros GM Dana Brown at the GM meetings. In the video below we'll focus on the offense, and later this week we'll drop a video covering the pitching.

Before we get to the players, we found it interesting that Brown met with both hitting coaches after the season, and basically came to the conclusion that the ineffectiveness of the offense falls more on the players than the coaches. Pointing out that the players have had success in the past under the same coaching.

So both Alex Cintron and Troy Snitker appear to be safe heading into the 2025 season. Houston did make a change with their third base coach. Gary Pettis will not be returning, and he'll be replaced by former Diamondbacks third base coach Tony Perezchica.

Perezchica is considered an infield specialist, whom they hope can elevate the play on the infield. One has to wonder if he's been brought in to improve Shay Whitcomb's play at third base, especially if Alex Bregman leaves in free agency.

Outfield outlook

As far as the players are concerned, it looks like we received some answers for the plan in the outfield, if we read between the lines.

Brown believes Chas McCormick has the potential to bounce back after a down season with the bat. He envisions McCormick as the team's starting left fielder.

Based on these comments, we believe the plan is for Chas to start in left field, with Jake Meyers returning to center. Brown's comments also lead us to assume Yordan Alvarez will be in the DH role most of the time. Which makes sense after several injury scares in his career.

However, Dana also said a move at the trade deadline could be a possibility should McCormick continue to struggle in 2025. The club may also use a platoon in the outfield with a left-handed hitter.

Speaking of which, Houston traded for left-handed outfielder Taylor Trammell recently, and he should get some opportunities this spring. But based on his past performance in the big leagues, we're not expecting much.

And considering Brown's comments about top prospect Jacob Melton, we don't anticipate he'll make the team even if he has a good spring.

Finally, Reggie Jackson and the Astros have decided to part ways. Which makes us wonder, does this move mean Brown will have more authority with one less voice in the room?

And could this also signal that Jeff Bagwell's days as an advisor could be numbered?

Don't miss the video above for the full discussion!

For Astros’ conversation, catch Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo on our Stone Cold 'Stros podcasts!Episodes drop on Mondays and bonus episodes are released on Wednesdays when the news cycle dictates.


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