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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Jose Altuve is Houston's best offensive player this season. Composite Getty Image.

Houston Astros (4-6) vs. Seattle Mariners (4-7)
Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 9:40 PM ET at T-Mobile Park, Seattle

Probable Pitchers:

  • Astros: Framber Valdez (1-1, 3.75 ERA)
  • Mariners: Luis Castillo (1-1, 3.00 ERA)

Game Preview:

The Houston Astros aim to even the series against the Seattle Mariners after a narrow 4-3 loss in the opener. Framber Valdez takes the mound for Houston, looking to rebound from a challenging outing where he allowed five earned runs over five innings against the Giants. Valdez has pitched at least five innings in both starts this season.

Seattle counters with right-hander Luis Castillo, who has been consistent, posting a 3.00 ERA over 12 innings. In his last start, Castillo pitched seven innings, giving up two earned runs against the Tigers.

Players to Watch:

  • Jose Altuve (Astros): The veteran left fielder/second baseman leads Houston with three home runs and a .357 batting average.
  • Julio Rodríguez (Mariners): Seattle's center fielder has matched Altuve with three home runs and five RBIs, though he's batting .195.

Injury Updates:

  • Mariners: Outfielder Victor Robles is on IL with a dislocated shoulder.
  • Astros: Pitcher Spencer Arrighetti suffered a broken right thumb after being hit by a line drive during pre-game warmups on Monday and is expected to miss significant time.

Betting Odds:


*ChatGPT assisted with this article.

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