There’s a domino effect that transpired throughout the NFL over the past few weeks.
The quarterback market was highly active after Russell Wilson got traded to the Denver Broncos and Aaron Rodgers remained with the Green Bay Packers.
Tom Brady‘s return after a brief retirement will also help the Tampa Bay Buccaneers retain some of their starters.
Elite wide receivers also changed uniforms as Tyreek Hill joined the Miami Dolphins and Davante Adams signed with the Las Vegas Raiders.
The 2022 free agency period drastically changed the landscape of the NFL in terms of movement and player salaries.
But the mobility in today’s league could be traced to a shocking development that occurred two years ago.
Bill O'Brien rage-quitting on DeAndre Hopkins changed the entire landscape of the NFL
— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) March 23, 2022
NFL reporter Bill Barnwell said, “Bill O’Brien rage-quitting on DeAndre Hopkins changed the entire landscape of the NFL.”
That haphazard move started the Houston Texans’ downfall from division champions to doormats.
Worst yet, the Texans only got a 2020 fourth-round pick, a 2020 second-round pick, a 2021 fourth-rounder, and running back David Johnson.
The year before, Houston finished the regular season with a 10-6 record.
In 2020, the Texans finished 4-12 and O’Brien was fired after four games.
In contrast, Hopkins’ arrival helped the Cardinals improve from 5-10-1 to 8-8.
Arizona would make the playoffs in 2021, breaking a five-season drought.
Power To The Players
The Hopkins trade opened up a can of worms for the Texans and the league in general.
In some ways, it showed that players need not wait for the situation to improve.
Instead, they can find a better environment and demand a trade to get there.
From the Texans’ fallout, J.J. Watt joined Hopkins in Arizona.
The trade for Laremy Tunsil also didn’t pan out after he went on injured reserve last season due to surgery on his thumb.
Likewise, Deshaun Watson joined the Cleveland Browns on a five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed deal.
NEXT: Stat Proves Tua Tagovailoa Can Connect With Tyreek Hill
Jonathan Miller says
Not sure what the point of this article was except to underscore what we already knew, that O’Brien had no clue what he was doing as a General Manager of the Texans.
Texansfefifauxfan says
Jonathan is absolutely correct. We knew after the first season as head coach O’Brien was going to be like all the other tier 3 coaches to fill the locker room. Wade Phillips was the best (interim) coach they ever had. McNair needs to sell the franchise. Like his dad, they have no business being in the people business.
Chuck says
I agree
McNair’s make Houston fans fond of Bud Adams.
Thomas J Baker says
Bill O’Brien destroyed Houston Texans ‘ franchise for two years so far at least and probably at least two more. But the destruction did not originate with him. It began with Bob McNair leaving his children in charge of a franchise about which son Cal was clueless. Cal set the events in motion of Bill’s destruction of this team. May Bill O’Brien and his temper tantrums never get the opportunity to destroy another team.
Thomas J. Baker says
The McNair family, specifically Cal McNair, and Bob McNair before, destroyed this franchise. Cal McNair promoting Bill O’Brien to General Manager, enabled the destruction of this team by O’Brien. For years since Bob McNair got Houston to build a new stadium, he failed to build this franchise into anything more than mediocrity. This team never got to a conference title game much less the Super Bowl. Cal McNair merely accelerated his father’s years of failing to advance this team to ultimate success. May O’Brien never get the opportunity to destroy another professional or college team. Yes he completed the destruction that began with the McNairs. .
Anonymous says
Amen