HOUSTON – Star wide receiver Nico Collins and the Houston Texans have agreed to an adjusted contract that guarantees 2027 and includes a $9 million cash increase this year and an $8 million cash increase next year, agents Drew and Jason Rosenhaus told KPRC 2.
Originally ranked 18th in average compensation per year for 2026, Collins is now due $29 million total this year to rank fifth among all receivers. He’s due $29.8 million in 2027.
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During the NFL draft, Texans general manager Nick Caserio delivered an unequivocal message to anyone potentially interested in trading for Collins: Don’t bother.
Caserio was asked about trade rumors that NFL teams had made inquiries regarding Collins, the Texans’ most dangerous offensive skill player.
Instead, Collins’ deal has been boosted.
“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 was due $20 million fully guaranteed in 2026 and $21.25 million guaranteed for injury in 2027. That money is now fully guaranteed.
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 told KPRC 2 at his youth football camp. “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 came to his future in Houston.
“Yeah, for sure, just keep this thing rolling, for sure, 1,000 percent,” Collins told KPRC 2. “I love the city of Houston, man. I want to be here long-term, forever. My mom says 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 under offensive coordinator Nick Caley, the Texans averaged 23.8 points per game, ranking 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 struggled to complement the passing attack after Joe Mixon missed the entire season due to a foot injury involving an infection that ultimately required surgery. With Montgomery in the backfield, there should be more balance overall and more 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’ve 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’ve got. So, I’m excited about this year, second year with Caley, and let’s rock.”
Collins’ value was underscored by his absence during 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 dramatically changed the equation for the Texans’ suddenly ineffective passing game.
As off as C.J. Stroud was, Collins could have potentially steadied the damage. Playing without Collins — and losing Dalton Schultz, the team’s leading receiver during the regular season with 82 receptions — proved too much to overcome.
Now, Collins is determined to elevate his game even further.
“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.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com .