HOUSTON – For Texans star wide receiver Nico Collins, he was in a state of deep thought while enduring a slow burn.
A concussion meant he couldn’t play in an AFC divisional round playoff game against the New England Patriots his team ultimately lost. As tough as it was on him and as much as he didn’t think his season would end because of an awkward landing on his head against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Collins took the moment to reflect with deep thoughts about the future.
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“You want to be out there with your teammates, man, you don’t want to be grounded,” Collins told KPRC 2 during a recent Tristar Productions autograph show. “You put the time in with each other and just go out there and compete. Growth, man, it means a lot. What things can you do to get better? I feel like there’s always room for improvement just on life and just in general. And I feel like that’s the beauty of it. continue to get better in life.
“Continue to find ways to get better in the game as well. So on the sideline, I was just thinking: ‘What can I do to be out there with the team? What can I do to find ways to not be sidelined? Life is a great thing, man, just blessed to be in this opportunity.”
Watching from the bench area at snowy Gillette Stadium, Collins watched as quarterback C.J. Stroud uncorked an uncharacteristic four interceptions in one half of a 28-16 defeat. Normally accurate, Stroud had several misfires as he went 20 for 47 for 212 yards, one touchdown pass and a 28.0 passer rating.
Since Stroud arrived three years ago as a first-round draft pick, Collins has broken through in his own career. He has three consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons and two Pro Bowl selections.
He still believes in Stroud, who has been the subject of heavy criticism and cruel ridicule on social media since the playoff meltdown.
“Just keep your head up,” Collins said when asked what he’s told Stroud since the loss. “Like, it’s not the way we want to end, you know what I’m saying? Our goal was to go to the Super Bowl, but things happen. Just keep being you, brother. Don’t let this one game define who you are. We all know who you are. Keep being a star. Keep being a leader you are. Keep being the light in the room and just keep being you.
“The dude’s a baller, man. One freak of an athlete. So, I’m excited for next year. Just can’t wait to get back on the field with the guys, get back grinding, and continue to be great.”
Collins’ value was underscored by his absence from the playoff game.
He caught 71 passes for 1,117 yards and six touchdowns during the regular season on 120 targets.
Not having a prototypical 6-foot-4, 222-pound wide receiver with 4.44 speed in the 40-yard dash changed the equation markedly for the Texans’ suddenly ineffective passing game.
As off as Stroud was, Collins could have potentially steadied the damage. Playing without Collins and losing tight end Dalton Schultz, the leading receiver in the regular season with 82 receptions, couldn’t be overcome.
“It is what it is,” Collins said. “Things happen. That’s life. Definitely missed being out there with my fellas. Didn’t expect Pittsburgh to be my last outing. But it is what it is. It’s God’s timing. Just thankful that I’m feeling great.”
A once-promising season was cut short. An NFL-leading 10-game winning streak came to an abrupt end. The Patriots advanced to the Super Bowl. The Texans lost for the third year in a row in the AFC divisional round and are now 0-7 all-time as a franchise at that stage of the postseason having never reached the AFC championship game.
“Man, it was one hell of a year,” said Collins, who caught a touchdown pass in the Pro Bowl Games. “It was a great year. It didn’t start out the way we wanted to, but I feel like, man, just the ride, just the bonding and just going out and competing with each other, it was one great feeling. Don’t regret one moment. I feel like it’s all motivation for next year. Gonna get out there, get ready for OTAs and throughout camp. Motivation for next year, for sure.”
“I’m feeling great, most importantly. Thank God for everything. Back to normal, feeling healthy. It is what it is. It’s football. A freak accident happened, but thank God for everything. Thank God I’m feeling great right now.I’m healthy.”
Collins signed a three-year, $75 million maximum value deal two years ago that included a $17 million signing bonus.
Collins restructured his contract to create $9.8 million in salary cap space last year, per a league source, as the Texans converted his $13.5 million base salary into a $12.33 million signing bonus. His original salary cap figure was $18.441 million for the 2025 season, and it was reduced to $8.577 million.
To spread out the impact of the salary-cap maneuver, the Texans added void years of $40 million in 2028 and 2029.
Collins is due $20 million in 2026 and $21.25 million nonguaranteed in 2027.
He has annual $625,005 in per game active roster bonuses.
The deal includes annual $750,000 incentives: $250,000 for Pro Bowl selection, $250,000 for 95 catches, $250,000 for 1,460 receiving yards.
The deal could be restructured again for salary cap purposes. Collins is also likely due for a raise at some point and more years on his contract.
“Yeah, for sure, just keep this thing rolling, for sure, 1,000 percent,” Collins said. “I love the city of Houston, man. I want to be here long-term, forever. My mom said every day, continue to be myself, continue to prove myself and get better. When the time is right, it will come.”
Collins, 26, provided a mentoring presence to rookie wide receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel.
Higgins caught six touchdown passes in the regular season and led the Texans with six catches during the Patriots game.
Noel was a dangerous presence on returns and had his moments, albeit less than the role he’s anticipated to have, as a slot receive next season.
“The boys got it, man,” Collins said. “They’re gifted, man. They got all the tools in the world. The game is going to slow down for them. It’s only right they continue to climb, continue to excel and continue to reach for the stars. These boys got all the tools in the world. Can’t wait to see them. It’s going to be great.”
The Texans’ offense, in the first year of offensive coordinator Nick Caley’s system, adjusted to his Patriots-inspired playbook.
After a rocky start, the offense improved despite the absence of a consistent running game with Pro Bowl runner Joe Mixon missing the entire season with a mysterious foot injury.
“I feel like it’s only room for improvement,” Collins said. “It’s only room for growth. That’s the point of the game: continue to grow every day. I feel like that’s everybody’s mindset on both sides of the ball.
“Everybody is willing to get better every single day. I just can’t wait for Nick’s journey. So, we get back rolling, continue to have fun, and continue to be great.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.