Nico Collins #12 of the Houston Texans avoids a tackle by Budda Baker #3 of the Arizona Cardinals at NRG Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) Tim Warner/Getty ImagesMay 26, 2026 6:10 pm EDT Updated The Houston Texans took care of one of their own, adjusting the contract of star wide receiver Nico Collins to guarantee the remaining two years on his contract, a league source confirmed to The Athletic on Tuesday.Under the new agreement, not only is Collins’ salary guaranteed for the next two years, but he also received a cash bump of $9 million and $8 million in 2026 and 2027, respectively.Collins was drafted by the Texans in the third round in 2021. After two decent seasons, Collins had a breakout campaign in 2023 with rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud. Collins set career-highs across the board, catching 80 passes on 109 targets for 1,297 yards and eight touchdowns. That resulted in Collins and the Texans agreeing to a three-year extension in 2024 that locked him in with the franchise through 2027.
Earlier this offseason, there was talk about Collins’ future in Houston and his availability on the trade market. Texans general manager Nick Caserio emphatically put an end to that chatter by making it very clear that the Texans intended for Collins to be in Houston in 2026.“Teams call teams all the time and ask about players. We’re not trading Nico Collins,” Caserio said in a news conference after Day 2 of the NFL Draft. “So, I mean, whoever reported it or whatever information that they had, I mean, they can take it and shove it. We’re not trading Nico.”As productive as Collins has been when he’s on the field, Collins has landed on injured reserve in three of his first five seasons. He missed two games last season but also suffered a concussion in the team’s wild-card round win over the Pittsburgh Steelers and missed the divisional round matchup with the New England Patriots. Collins’ 2023 season has served as an indicator of what the receiver’s potential could be when he’s healthy. In that season, Collins played in 15 games and enjoyed solid quarterback play as Stroud captured Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. As Stroud’s play has dipped in the past two seasons, so has Collins’ production.The Texans did add some offensive help this offseason that could boost Stroud and Collins. Last year, the running game featured Nick Chubb and Woody Marks but Joe Mixon was sidelined with a mysterious foot injury all season. The Texans have since acquired running back David Montgomery in a trade with the Detroit Lions to help boost the rushing attack and bring more balance to the offense.
