MAY 29: Further details on the Collins deal are in, courtesy of Wilson. The pact includes guaranteed base salaries in its first two years (including $13.5MM in 2025), with $10MM of his $20MM 2026 salary becoming guaranteed on the fifth day of the 2025 league year. Collins will see the other half shift to a full guarantee in March 2026; the final year includes a non-guaranteed $21.25MM in base compensation.
To maximize the extension’s value, $750K in annual incentives from 2025-27 will need to be met. Collins will earn an additional $250K each for a Pro Bowl selection, recording 95 catches and posting 1,460 yards those seasons. Each year of the pact contains $625K in roster bonuses.
MAY 28: The Texans’ offensive success in 2023 included a breakout year for Nico Collins. The ascending wideout has landed a lucrative new deal as a result. 
Collins and the Texans have agreed to a three-year extension, Dianna Russini of the Athletic reports. This pact will keep him on the books through 2027. Providing further details, ESPN’s Adam Schefter notes the deal has a base value of $72.75MM which can max out at $75MM. $52MM is guaranteed, and Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 adds Collins will collect a $17MM signing bonus.
The 25-year-old had a modest start to his career as a member of a low-output Texans passing game. Collins nevertheless showcased his potential as a deep threat in particular during that time, and expectations were raised with C.J. Stroud‘s arrival last year. The two formed a productive partnership in 2023, with Collins posting 1,297 yards and eight touchdowns on 80 catches.
With an annual average value of $24.25MM, this agreement is a strong indication the Texans feel Collins can continue to develop into a focal point on offense. The Michigan product was the team’s top option at the receiver position for much of the 2023 season, although Stroud initially showed a strong connection with third-round rookie Tank Dell. The latter’s season-ending injury paved the way for Collins to take on a larger role, and he will now be expected to remain a top producer.
A February report indicated a mutual interest existed between team and player in Collins’ case. Since then, Houston has acquired Stefon Diggs via trade, a move which adds a four-time Pro Bowler to the mix. Diggs has received at least 149 targets in five of the past six years, and it will be interesting to see how he fits in an offense returning Collins, Dell and tight end Dalton Schultz. The Texans signed Schultz to a three-year deal of his own this offseason, and Collins will join him as a member of the team’s long-term offensive plans.
Dell – who is recovering from a minor gunshot wound suffered this offseason – is on the books for three more years via his rookie pact. With he and Stroud under team control for years to come, Houston can afford to make investments such as this one. Diggs is due just over $22.5MM in 2024 before hitting free agency. Especially if he were to depart next year, Collins would comfortably reside as the Texans’ highest-paid receiver.
This deal will slot the former third-rounder into seventh in the NFL in terms of annual average compensation amongst receivers. The top of the market has been on an upward trajectory with recent deals, and number of ascending talents at the position are set to move the bar even higher in the near future. Collins has understandably not moved to the top of the pecking order, but his 2023 production has vaulted him near the league’s top earners at a premium position.
Good move to get this done. He was fantastic with Stroud, and if he has another year like that, he would cost a lot more. This keeps him under contract through Stroud’s fifth year. As of right now, there are something like eight receivers making more than that per year, but that’s before Jefferson, Chase, Lamb, Waddle, or Higgins sign their second contract. He’ll fall down the list very quickly and the deal will only look more reasonable.
Loaded roster too. Houston could be a huge threat this year
They gave up two years of a rookie deal for one extra year of control?
no
drafted in 2021. This was the last year of his rookie deal
“This pact will keep him on the books through 2027.”
They didnt give up any rookie years
3 year extension
2024 last year of rookie deal (up coming season)
2025 1st year extension
2026 2nd year extension
2027 3rd year extension
Texans are loading up. This is the type of business cowboys are incompetent at achieving lmao
The Cowboys financial worth is significantly higher than that of the Texans so I don’t think Jerry Jones is too upset.
link to forbes.com
right…because that financial worth helps when restructuring your over-paid QB’s contract so you can sign a RB
All in!
Lemon, does team net worth help winning championships? The Cardinals have played in more superbowls than the Cowboys in the last 20+ years.
LEMON talks out his butt
Cowboys did this when dak was on his rookie deal. Went out got Amari cooper gave him a mega deal.
It only really works when your franchise qb is on their rookie deal.
When it’s time for stroud to get paid they’ll be able to keep 1 of Collins or Dell and will need to put cheap pieces around stroud.
I’m no fan of the Cowboys, but they are a much better run team than the Texans. The Cowboys have 2 losing seasons over the past 10 years vs. 4 for the Texans. And the Texans highest win total was 11 2018.
How many playoff games has the Cowboys won since the Texans have existed?
From google: In the Texans’ 22-year history, they have an overall regular season record of 142 wins, 195 losses, and 1 tie, plus an overall postseason record of 5 wins and 7 losses. The team currently has eight winning seasons, two 8–8 seasons, and eleven losing seasons.
Stop acting like they’re a well run organization. They covered up for Watson and paid off all 30 of the accusers.
you are comparing an expansions franchise, the 4th new franchise in less than 10 years; to a team that has been around since 1960.
I am a Texan. Grew up an Oiler fan in West Texas surrounded by Cowboy fans. I always liked and respected the Cowboys franchise. Their fans….not so much, and this is why. They are a pretentious blow hards that lack the ability to tell time. They act like it is 1998 and if they could just keep Troy from taking another blow to the head they will win it all again.
No I’m not. The Texans are a 22 year old franchise. I went only back 10 years. I understand laughing at the ‘Boys over ‘SB or bust!’ ‘We’re all in!’ talk Jerry does, but over owning the team 35 years he’s 312-251 record. Pretty darn good.
Jerry may have an ego to many people; but he backs it up in both business and on field wins.
Dude they can’t win playoff games. Yeah they’re the most valuable sports franchise in the world, but what good does it do for you?? You act like it’s your money
The Texans can’t win playoff games either. Same for the Jets, Cards, Jags, Fins, Browns, Colts etc. What’s your point?
Jerry runs on of the best franchises in NFL for overall success. That’s both on the field and at the bank.
Wasn’t amazing season 1 and season 2. Had a solid season 3 thanks to Stroud and now paid the same as DeVonte Smith, Deebo, DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. Good for him. Hope HOU got this one correct.
it is a forward looking contract.
There are a lot of WR’s that are about to get paid. Once done this contract will look different