As the Houston Texans continue to assemble one of the best collections of overall talent in the National Football League, contractual situations requiring addressing will continue to bubble to the surface. More often than not, it will involve full contract extensions for existing players.
Sometimes, though, the contractual action items will involve making things right with players under existing deals. These aren’t really extensions, but instead making sure that contracts are in line with the market, as players approach free agency (or extension time, a year before their contract expires).
The latter scenario is exactly what the Texans were addressing on Tuesday afternoon, when Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that the Texans are addressing Nico Collins’ current contract with a pay increase and some concessions on terms and conditions:
What does this all mean? Let’s dig in:
Nico Collins got a pay raise but is still well behind the top of the board
When Collins signed this contract extension, almost two years ago to the day, almost everyone involved knew that, if Collins replicated his 2023 season over the next few seasons, it would evolve into a bargain for the Texans. Well, that’s exactly what happened. Collins has become a perennial Pro Bowler and borderline All Pro in 2024 and 2025, and is widely considered a top 10 receiver in the league. That said, even with a pay raise of $9 million this season and $8 million next season, Collins is probably still Underpaid, but this concession from the Texans should at least placate Collins heading into 2027, where negotiations will begin on another multiyear deal.
This is a big bet on Nico Collins’ health
Collins has become one of the best all around wide receivers in the league over the last few seasons. He can make contested catches, he can get deep, his slant route is deadly, and he is a more than willing blocker. The only knock on Collins is that he has always missed at least a few games per year due to injury. In 2025, unfortunately, that injury bug carried over into the postseason, when he sustained a concussion against the Steelers and missed the loss to the Patriots. Giving him another $17 million over the next two seasons, when they aren’t obligated to do so, is a big bet on Nico Collins’ health over the next two years.
In the end, this sends the message Nick Caserio wants sent
One thing GM Nick Caserio has been steadfast about, since becoming the Texans GM, particularly in the current era, when the quality of player on the roster has improved drastically — the Texans are a team that will always take care of their elite players. In other words, if you are great at what you do, and execute in the right way, you will be taken care of. This reward for Collins is an example of this, and it follows in line with extensions for Danielle Hunter, Dalton Schultz, and Azeez Al-Shaair this offseason. This is fantastic public relations for the Texans when they go to pursue free agents.
