The Facts: Hopkins' disappointing 2016 season hasn't diminished his value in the eyes of the Texans. Due to collect $7.915 million after the AFC South champions exercised the fifth-year option on his rookie contract last offseason, Hopkins is in line for a lucrative long-term deal in the coming months. "Our goal is to keep all of our good young players, and DeAndre is a good young player," GM Rick Smith acknowledged Thursday at the NFL Scouting Combine. "So, yes, we are absolutely intent on re-signing him. When that happens is up for debate."

Diehards Line:Smith reportedly rejected offers for Hopkins when the Patriots and Buccaneers reached out at the trade deadline last October. Vastly underpaid on the heels of a "flat-out incredible" 2015 Pro Bowl campaign, Hopkins staged a one-day holdout to express his dissatisfaction at the opening of training camp last summer. Although Hopkins generated an unimpressive 55.1 passer rating on 151 targets last season, HC Bill O'Brien intimated that the responsibility for that poor production lies with the subpar passing performance of Brock Osweiler. "As far as production and things like that, yeah, the production dropped off a little bit," O'Brien said. "It wasn't anything that he did. I think he's a great player. I love coaching the guy. I'm looking forward to coaching him next year." As frustrated as Hopkins may be with the organization's quarterback woes, he made it clear during Super Bowl week that the interest in a long-term deal is mutual. Now it appears that is coming.