Thomas, Revis, Freeney headline 1st time Hall candidates
Six-time All-Pro offensive lineman Joe Thomas, shutdown cornerback Darrelle Revis and speedy pass rusher Dwight Freeney headline the list of nine first-year eligible players picked among the 129 nominees for the 2023 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
AP Source: QB Watson requests trade from Houston Texans
Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson speaks during a news conference following an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020. Star quarterback Deshaun Watson has requested a trade from the Houston Texans, a person familiar with the move told The Associated Press. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga, File)HOUSTON – Star quarterback Deshaun Watson has requested a trade from the Houston Texans, a person familiar with the move told The Associated Press. The same source who told The AP about the trade request said Watson made the ask before Culley’s hire. The only other minority candidate who was hired as a head coach this offseason was the New York Jets' Robert Saleh, the league's first Muslim American head coach.
Johnson, Hopkins voice support for Watson amid trade rumors
HOUSTON – Andre Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins have weighed in on reports that Deshaun Watson is unhappy and wants to be traded by the Houston Texans. On Tuesday both Johnson, who is retired, and Hopkins, who Bill O’Brien traded to Arizona in March, expressed their views on the situation on Twitter. “The Texans organization is known for wasting players (sic) careers. He was widely criticized for trading Hopkins, who has been one of the league’s most consistent receivers for years, for running back David Johnson and draft picks. The 12th overall pick in the 2017 draft, Watson signed a four-year, $156 million contract extension before this season.
Mid-career move: Hopkins ready for new start in Arizona
Veteran receiver Larry Fitzgerald is winding down one of the NFL's great offensive careers. DeAndre Hopkins a man in the prime of his NFL life said there's plenty he can learn from both of them. Felt great, felt good, gave me chills, Hopkins said. I think thats honestly one of the main focal points is improving our dropback game, which obviously, it was mediocre last season, Murray said. To have another Hall of Fame receiver is great," Hopkins said.
Texans clinch AFC South title with 20-3 win over Jaguars
Instead, the Texans (11-5) won their next nine games and 11 of their last 13, capped by Sunday’s 20-3 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, to clinch the AFC South title. The Texans will make their fifth playoff appearance after winning the division for the fifth time in franchise history. Watt has four seasons with 15 or more sacks, second most in NFL history to Reggie White (five). The Texans faced a third-and-6 late in the second quarter when Myles Jack deflected a pass and Hopkins grabbed it for a 13-yard gain. Texans: Will host the winner of Sunday night’s Colts-Titans game next weekend, barring a tie between those teams.
Texans make Watt highest-paid defensive player in NFL
HOUSTON – Six days before the new 2014 season kicks off, the Texans and All-Pro defensive end J.J. Watt have a new long term extension in place. ESPN Insider Chris Mortensen reported Watt's deal is for $100 Million over 6 years with $51.8 million guaranteed. That makes Watt the highest paid defensive player in the league, surpassing Mario Williams' deal with the Buffalo Bills. Watt, the 2012 Defensive Player of the Year, is considered the top defensive player in the NFL and has made it clear he wanted a new extension in place while watching others from his 2011 draft class get rewarded in recent weeks. Watt of course is an exception along with receiver Andre Johnson who has had his deal reworked in the past.