Why Texans’ Nico Collins wants to play entire career in Houston, sees C.J. Stroud as a ‘man on a mission, ready to hunt’

SANTA FE – Since the arrival of quarterback C.J. Stroud in Houston, the production of Texans Pro Bowl wide receiver Nico Collins has skyrocketed.

They have built a strong relationship, chemistry and timing in their first three seasons collaborating.

During that span, Collins emerged as a Pro Bowl selection and three-time 1,000-yard receiver who has piled up 209 catches for 3,420 yards and 21 touchdowns.

Now, Collins is seeing encouraging signs from a leaner Stroud who’s been described as locked in and ultra-focused on the heels of a rocky playoffs that included five interceptions and five fumbles and seven turnovers that included a career-high four interceptions in a divisional round loss to the New England Patriots. Collins sees Stroud regaining his NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and Pro Bowl form and a big season unfolding after uncharacteristic performances in the playoffs.

For his career, the former second overall pick, consensus All-American and Heisman Trophy finalist from Ohio State has completed 63.8 percent of his throws for 10,876 yards, 62 touchdowns and 25 interceptions.

“Different guy, different dude, man on a mission,” Collins told KPRC 2 during his annual youth football camp Saturday at Santa Fe High School. “Man, he’s ready to hunt.”

That approach defines the Texans’ ambitions collectively.

The Texans have lost three consecutive AFC divisional round playoff games and are 0-7 all-time at that stage of the postseason. They’re determined to take the next step in the fourth season after going 3-3 in the playoffs under the direction of coach DeMeco Ryans.

Since the end of the season, they’ve traded for punishing running back David Montgomery, signed veteran offensive linemen Braden Smith and Wyatt Teller, retained guard Ed Ingram on a three-year, $37.5 million deal, drafted offensive lineman Keylan ‘Big Red’ Rutledge, signed safety Reed Blankenship and spent a ton of money on contract extensions for defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (three years, $150 million), linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (three years, $54 million), defensive end Danielle Hunter (one year, $40.1 million) along with kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn and tight end Dalton Schultz.

“The excitement is great, man,” said Collins, whose absence due to a concussion impacted Stroud and the Texans against the Patriots as they played without their most dangerous offensive player. “I feel like we had a great draft. Getting back in that mode, I feel like the energy is great and we’ve got to continue to go in our mission because ahead is our Super Bowl. So, it starts right now, though.”

During the NFL draft, Texans general manager Nick Caserio delivered an unequivocal message to anyone potentially interested in trading forCollins: Don’t bother.

Caserio was asked about a trade rumor that NFL teams had made inquiries regarding Collins, the Texans’ most dangerous offensive skill player.

“Look, teams call teams all the time to ask about players,” Caserio said in response to a question from KPRC 2. “We’re not trading Nico Collins. Whoever reported it, whatever information they had, I mean, they can take it and shove it. We’re not trading Nico.”

Collins signed a three-year, $75 million maximum value deal two years ago that included a $17 million signing bonus.

Collins is due $20 million fully guaranteed in 2026 and $21.25 million nonguaranteed in 2027. He has salary-cap figures of $27.517 million and $28.59 million over the next two years. He is now the 18th highest paid wide receiver in terms of average compensation per year.

The deal could be restructured again for salary cap purposes. And Collins is also likely due for a raise at some point and additional years on his contract. It’s certainly not out of the question that the contract could be addressed this year or before next season. Especially factoring in his importance to the Texans’ offense.

Collins, for his part while not discussing anything specific regarding private financial matters, wants to remain a Texan for as long as possible, preferably for his entire career.

“I love the Texans,” Collins said. “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.”

In February, Collins struck a similar stance when it comes to his future in Houston.

“Yeah, for sure, just keep this thing rolling, for sure, 1,000 percent,” Collins told KRPC 2. “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.”

In the first season of offensive coordinator Nick Caley, the Texans averaged 23.8 points per contest to rank 13th in the NFL in scoring offense. They finished 18th in total offense, 14th in passing offense and 22nd in rushing offense. The running game, with Joe Mixon missing the entire season due to a mysterious foot injury that involved an infection and ultimately required surgery, struggled mightily to complement the passing game. With Montgomery in the backfield, there should be more balance overall and options for Caley as a play-caller.

“Absolutely, you got to take one play at a time,” Collins said. “We know what our mission is. We know where we want to go. At the end of the day, we got to take one play at a time.

“We got to move the sticks. We’ve got to continue to put points on the board for the defense, because we know the type of defense we got. So, I’m excited about this year, second year with Caley and let’s rock.”

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 Schultz, the leading receiver in the regular season with 82 receptions, couldn’t be overcome.

Now, Collins is determined to take his game up another notch.

“Not get complacent, not get comfortable, continue to find the things I need to improve on,” Collins said. “Even though you have success, it’s still not good enough, continue to aim for the stars and continue to be the best version of yourself every day.”

Another potential improvement for the offense could involve the return of wide receiver Tank Dell.

Dell missed the entire season last year due to a devastating knee injury suffered in a December 2024 regular-season game against the Kansas City Chiefs. At Arrowhead Stadium, Dell dislocated his knee and tore anterior cruciate, medial collateral and lateral collateral ligaments. He has undergone two surgeries and he has made a lot of progress in his recovery, running again and cutting in his routes. He is not 100 percent yet, but he’s doing well in the Texans’ offseason conditioning program.

“Tank Dell looked good,” Collins said. “I’m glad he’s back now and getting his groove back. You know how much this game means to him, and nobody wants to get hurt the way he did. So, his work ethic, his mindset on the road to recovery was amazing. So, it’s only right he get back on the field with us, with his brothers, get back to what he’s been doing. I’m happy he’s back.”

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.