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DeAndre Hopkins’ Arrival Means Elevation For Kyler Murray 

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Bill O’Brien got all up in his feelings and Kyler Murray became the beneficiary of a move that didn’t make any football sense for the Houston Texans. For some reason, Houston traded iconic receiver and bulldog DeAndre Hopkins for oft-injured running back David Johnson and a second-round pick. 

“You can’t trade him if you don’t get at least two first-round draft picks for this guy because he is a mistake eraser,” lamented Hall of Fame receiver Michael Irvin on ESPN.

“You don’t even have to throw him the ball…just put it in the area and he answers the call by catching the ball. As soon as I heard the trade I texted him and said what is going on here?” 

According to Irvin, DeAndre Hopkins said he was happy about his new destination. And nobody is happier than Murray. 

“You can’t let that kind of talent leave the building,” Irvin continued.  

O’Brien made an emotional decision rather than a shrewd business move. He didn’t like the influence that Hopkins held in the locker room and felt removing him for a two-piece and a biscuit would not only send a message but give him greater control. Being the HC and GM isn’t enough?  There’s racial optics here as well, but we don’t have to dig too deep into that. 

Irving says, according to O’Brien, Hopkins wanted a new contract and “we don’t do that,” O’Brien said. Irvin called him on his BS and said, “What do you mean? You did it for JJ Watt!”

That’s all water under the bridge at this point. Murray to Hopkins is the latest lethal combination to hit the league. Deshaun Watson, who Stephen A. Smith suggested should demand a trade, has to find a new Hall of Fame receiver to boost his effectiveness. 

The 5-foot-11 Murray came under criticism last season for reneging on a multi-million dollar deal to play pro baseball with the Oakland A’s, who allowed Murray to return to Oklahoma for his final season to play quarterback. 

Murray wound up winning the Heisman and choosing the NFL Draft over MLB’s guaranteed money. His gamble paid off and despite his diminutive stature, Murray was chosen No. 1 overall by the Arizona Cardinals in last year’s draft. 

Murray wasn’t expected to do that much damage in his rookie season. Not because he didn’t have the tools or ability, but because the Cardinals are god awful and were among the least talented rosters in the league. 

A lack of elite weapons didn’t stop Murray from creating some magical moments. Giving fans a glimpse into the future, making head coach Kliff Kingsbury look like somewhat of a genius. 

All Murray really had on offense was a broken down former All-Pro running back and a past-his-prime Larry Fitzgerald. The defense was a terrible 28th in the league.

Add Hopkins to the top of that depth chart and the offense looks pretty formidable 

Murray clearly impacted his team and made them better, transforming an overmatched squad with one of the NFL’s blandest offenses in 2018 into an exciting, high wheeling offense with his array of ill throws, incredible scrambles, and playmaking ability.   

Murray did what any No. 1 draft pick is supposed to do; elevate his teammates, take the bumps and bruises that come with learning on the job in stride and take home the 2019 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award. 

Arizona was 16th out of 32 teams in points scored and expect that to increase dramatically with Hopkins on one side and Fitzgerald, who is more suited for a No 2 or No 3 receiver role at this point in his career on the other.  

Those 20 passing TDs are going to soar and Murray’s 3,722 yards passing should bolt past the 4,000 mark. 

At this point,  Bill O’Brien (who is already shaky as a GM) will be the laughingstock of the NFL, Deshaun Watson has got to be pissed and Murray will be the talk of the NFL next year.

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