Two former Houston Texans players currently reside in the team’s Ring of Honor alongside founding owner Bob McNair.
Former All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is looking to become the third name to join the duo whenever he calls it a career. The 13-year veteran who signed a one-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens this offseason said it “would be cool” for him to be honored up there one day opposite J.J. Watt and Andre Johnson.
Of course, given his end with the franchise and future around the league over the past five seasons, the former No. 1 target does wonder if he played for the team long enough to deserve a spot beside two Hall of Fame candidates.
Appearing on “Daily Dose — Tell Your Truth” podcast, Hopkins spoke about the chance to perhaps one day join his former teammate and fellow pass-catcher as a full circle moment. The 2024 Hall of Fame recipient took Hopkins under his wing when he was drafted by the Texans in 2013 out of Clemson.
Hopkins would eventually serve as the replacement for Johnson and the next great target for seven seasons before the infamous trade of 2020 to the Arizona Cardinals. He was a staple in the passing attack, putting up five 1,000-yard campaigns with four different quarterbacks, including future Pro Bowler Deshaun Watson.
Still, is that enough for him to warrant the praise from the organization and join Johnson?
“I’m not going to say I don’t think about that as well. I am human, of course,” Hopkins said. “I love Houston. I still live here, my family lives here, so of course, that would be cool to be in the Houston Ring of Honor one day.”
Hopkins admitted that after the trade, the Texans moved on with Brandin Cooks and later Nico Collins, meaning his seven seasons were promising but not worldy like Watt’s decade-long stay or Johnson’s 12 years.
“Even though I only played what seven years here? That’s short. That’s not a long time to be on a team. I don’t know, man,” Hopkins said. “Now that I think about it, do I deserve to be in the Ring of Honor?”
One caveat in his favor would be Johnson and Watt’s endings. Neither team retired with the Texans, though both came back to sign one-day contracts after playing with Indianapolis, Tennessee and Arizona, respectively. Should Hopkins return when his playing days are over and retire “as a Texan,” a conversation would at least be had about whether he qualifies for the Ring of Honor internally.
Both players are also sure-fire locks for the Hall of Fame, something Johnson has already joined and Watt will in several years when he’s eligible. Hopkins’ odd continues to grow entering his age-33 season, as he’s 16 catches away from becoming the 16th player in NFL history to reach 1,000 receptions. He’s also only 35 yards away from becoming the 21st player to total 13,000 career receiving yards.
All-time, Hopkins remains in good standing with the Texans’ history books. He currently ranks second behind Johnson in every Texans’ franchise receiving category and likely won’t be surpassed for several more seasons, depending on Collins’ health.
After playing with the Cardinals and Titans, Hopkins played in his first Super Bowl while with the Chiefs. There were rumors that he could return on a cheap deal with the Texans this offseason, but instead, he signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the Ravens.
One can only ponder on how his career with turn out there, but Hopkins said he’s gearing up for another promising season.
“How I feel and what I know I can do, I feel like I can play a couple more years if I want to,” Hopkins said.
Maybe one day, that journey ends with the Texans.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: DeAndre Hopkins thinks ‘it would be cool’ to make Texans Ring of Honor