Texans, WR Nico Collins agree to adjusted contract, $17 million raise after trade rumors

The Houston Texans have locked Nico Collins down for the next two seasons.

The Texans reached a deal with their star wide receiver on Tuesday, guaranteeing his salary for the next two seasons and giving him a $17 million raise before he hits free agency in 2028, his agents told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Collins was entering the final year of a three-year, $72 million deal with the team that included a potential out at the end of the season. He was set to earn $20 million this fall and about $21.2 million next season, both of which were significantly below market value.

He'll now earn $29 million this season and about $29.2 million during the 2027 campaign, which makes him the 11th-highest paid wide receiver in the league. By comparison, Seattle Seahawks star Jaxson Smith-Njigba makes more than $42 million per season. Ja'Maar Chase is the only other wide receiver in the league making more than $40 million per season.

Collins, whom the Texans selected with the 89th overall pick out of Michigan in 2021, racked up his third straight 1,000-yard campaign last fall. He had 1,117 yards and six touchdowns while helping Houston make a third straight playoff appearance. The Texans ended up losing in the divisional round to the New England Patriots.

Collins had been the subject of trade rumors earlier this offseason, especially due to his contract. Before the raise, he was the 18th-highest paid wide receiver in the league. But the Texans wanted nothing to do with that.

We're not trading Nico Collins," Texans general manager Nick Caseiro said during the NFL Draft last month, via ESPN. Whoever reported it or whatever information they had, they can shove it. We're not trading Nico."

While he's still well back of the highest-paid wide receivers in the NFL, Collins got his raise.