Shortly before last month’s draft, Nico Collins was the subject of trade calls. To no surprise, Texans general manager Nick Caserio insisted the team’s No. 1 receiver will not be on the move.
A desire on the part of the team to keep Collins in the fold clearly exists, and that sentiment is mutual. The two-time Pro Bowler has spent each of his first five NFL seasons in Houston. If he has his way, Collins’ Texans run will continue well beyond 2026.
“I love the Texans,” the 27-year-old said (via Aaron Wilson of KPRC2). “I got drafted here. It’s somewhere I want to end. I love the city, the people, the community. There’s a lot of great positive vibes coming out of the city of Houston. So, it’s definitely a place I would like to retire.”
Collins flashed potential but delivered modest production over the course of his first two NFL campaigns. The arrival of quarterback C.J. Stroud offered a considerable boost, though, and the two have formed a strong connection during their time together. Collins has topped 1,000 yards in each of the past three seasons, totaling 21 touchdowns over that span. He inked an extension averaging $24.25MM per year in 2024.
The receiver market has continued to surge since then, and Collins has fallen down the pecking order in terms of WR compensation recently. Two years remain on the Michigan product’s deal, and he is owed $20MM in guaranteed salary for 2026. Collins is due $21.25MM in base pay for 2027, but that figure is not guaranteed. As Wilson notes, an extension being worked out prior to the start of next offseason would thus come as no surprise.
Houston’s defense will have a number of high-priced contracts on the defensive side of the ball to account for over the coming years. On offense, Stroud’s next deal (should one be finalized) will bring about a considerable raise, but it may not be in place this offseason. The receiver position is a highly affordable one for the Texans aside from Collins’ contract. That is likely to remain the case with several wideouts playing on their rookie deals.
Another standout showing in terms of production would of course help Collins’ case for a raise on his next pact. If the goal for team and player winds up being met whenever an extension is worked out, he will be in line to remain a focal point on offense for the Texans not only in 2026 but into the future as well.
Here’s to hoping the cap continues to increase by 8% every year….. Without me having to pay for every streaming subscription on the market just to watch the games.