That's what they've always done with players, they generally negotiate contracts from the time period between when they report to camp and the season starting. They don't usually do any negotiations at any other time.
They typically only extend 1st rounders going into their last rookie year (5th year for the most current drafts). Watt was the exception, but they did it to save money down the line. If they would have waited another year, his contract would not be so team friendly. It's basically on of the biggest bargains in the league now. DeAndre wants to be extended now because his overall production will not be the same as last year. His worth has never been as high, and there is absolutely no guarantee that it will be next year. The Texans having team control for the next 4 years gives them all the leverage in waiting until next summer to extend him. He'll simply have fewer chances by the sheer number of talent players added to the offense. He was THE offense last year. No run game and not a viable soul opposite of him to distract the rest of the defense allowed him to get as many targets as he possibly could. I'm not saying he wont be as great or put up worse numbers, but he definitely won't be the only guy out their making plays anymore. So his overall value will be diminished slightly, along with that his monetary worth. You've got a RB group that should actually move the chains, and a young talented WR corp that should really ease defenses up off of Hop. And hopefully, a young QB that can at least be average, which would be a leap compared to the dumpster fire they've had going on since 2013. Now, The Texans could still end up giving him a top tier contract, even with a slightly "lesser" season, keeping with them taking care of "their" guys. I would honestly expect it. But Hopkins is as of right now, at his peak value, and there is no guarantee of him reaching it or topping it again. Which is why he's shown frustration with the Texans' not having any interest in discussions about an extension.
It's a negotiating tactic. They prefer their players in town while having contract discussions, to slightly diminish the agents influence. Basically saying, "Hey man, you're here, we're here, you love being here, we love having you here, lets just get it done now, short and sweet." Doing it while having TC is a distraction on the player. Having to deal with all the TC grind, and the back and forth of negotiating with Team/Player/Agent is a grind. Typically, leading the player wanting to get the damn thing done sooner, rather than later, and being more agreeable with the Teams offered terms, instead of fighting for every penny they could have originally wanted.
I voted "NO" simply because of the "6 year" part. Yes we have to extend him, but let's see him do it again before we do it. 6 is a long time.
I say pay him now .. . . . but if next year .. . he asks for CRAZY Madd money because he remembers this year. . . . I would not be mad at him. He has to risk it all for a year. . . . well make it pay off . .. . He might take 100 mill this year If he waits .. . if i were him . . .I'd ask for 150 Mill . . . .. Maybe take less elsewhere like 125 mill . . . . LOL Rocket River
If he gets too crazy with his demands, it'll just cost him money because he's going to be here for 4 more seasons no matter what happens. If he gets crazy with the demands, they could just let him play the next 2 seasons for like 8 mil total instead of something like 25 million. After that they'd for sure franchise him for 2 years which would also be him getting less than he wants for those seasons. He'll get paid, and right now he's doing the right thing by showing up to camp. If he plays hardball with so little leverage, he'll just hurt himself.
One of the advantages of the texans paying everyone. If one outlier gets "tough" the franchise tag is available.
Nope. He's going to ask for a ton of money no matter when you try to negotiate with him. You have enough time next offseason or the offseason after that when you can still franchise him.
