The Houston Texans have worked this offseason to show gratitude to their core of superstars, and now, WR Nico Collins is taking his turn! NFL Agents Drew and Jason Rosenhaus told ESPN reporter Adam Schefter of Collins’ adjusted contract with the Texans, which includes a $9 million raise in 2026 and a $8 million raise in 2027:
Nico Collins will now make in the next two years:
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Additionally, the Texans are guaranteeing all of Collins’ salary over the next two years. Nico Collins is now one of the highest paid wide receivers in the NFL! Collins originally signed a three-year, $72 million extension in 2024, which now has $17 million in additional guaranteed cash on top of it. Talk about a sweet promotion!
In addition to earning his good graces, this extension also puts to bed some rumors of Nico Collins’ potential availability to be traded. Around the time of the 2026 NFL Draft, general manager Nick Caserio had been asked about the validity to rumors of Collins’ availability, to which Caserio responded, “We’re not trading Nico Collins…Whoever reported it or whatever information that they had, they can shove it. We’re not trading Nico.”
Whether or not these “rumors” played an impact in this contract restructuring remains to be seen, but one thing is very clear: the Texans love Nico Collins, and Nico loves the Texans. He’s stated to KPRC2 reporter Aaron Wilson before that he’d like to retire in Houston, and this raise will only make both parties happier together. Still, no additional years were added to this deal, so the connection can still be nixed in 2028.
Pair this move with LB Azeez Al-Shaair’s extension, DE Will Anderson Jr.’s big extension, Houston’s move to fully guarantee DT Kayden McDonald’s rookie contract, and Houston’s active free agency period, and the picture of a big-spending, swashbuckling Texans team begins to form. I can’t remember the last time Nick Caserio – a manager that started his Texans tenure with a lot of cheap deals – has spent this heavily. He and the Texans’ front office are going at this offseason from all angles, making it at least fiscally clear that this year means more.
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It will mean more for Collins, as well. Not just because of the warranted pay raise, but because of his importance to the offense. I don’t need to rehash last season’s ugly finale here, but suffice to say that Nico Collins could have turned the ship around when it was needed against the New England Patriots. Texans QB CJ Stroud has relied heavily on Collins’ speed, wingspan, and underrated route-running since his rookie year in 2023. Since then, Collins has ranked in the top ten in receiving yards twice, in the top ten in PFF grade three times, made the pro-bowl twice, and has tallied 21 touchdowns in that span. To put it simply, he’s one of the best #1 WRs in the NFL, and any offensive reclamation Houston may embark on this offseason will start with him.
What do you think of this deal? Was Houston right to give another big raise to one of their best players, or should they have taken it easy after all of the other contracts? Will Houston have the cap space in the future to keep the good times rolling, or will this deal give them another headache to look forward to? Will Nico Collins become a career-Texan and finish as one of the best in Houston’s history, or will he be a footnote in the great Tank Dell renaissance? Personally, he’s my favorite parts of former Texans WRs Will Fuller and DeAndre Hopkins blended into one Texan, so I want him here forever! Let us know your thoughts down in the comments below!
Go Texans!
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