-
DJ Bien-Aime
Multiple Authors
HOUSTON — Texans general manager Nick Caserio made it clear Friday that wideout Nico Collins is not available for trade.
“We’re not trading Nico Collins,” Caserio said at the end of Day 2 of the draft. “Whoever reported it or whatever information that they had, they can shove it. We’re not trading Nico.”
Reports suggested that teams were calling the Texans about Collins’ availability because of his contract, leading to trade speculation. The Pro Bowl wideout is due $20,875,005 in 2026 after signing a three-year, $72 million extension in 2024.
Since Collins signed his extension, wide receiver contracts have become more lucrative. In that same year, Minnesota Vikings wideout Justin Jefferson signed a four-year, $140 million extension. The following offseason, Cincinnati Bengals wideout Ja’Marr Chase signed a four-year, $161 million extension.
In March, Seahawks wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba signed a four-year, $168.6 million contract extension, with $120 million guaranteed after Seattle’s Super Bowl run.
Collins is the 18th-highest paid wide receiver but is 10th among receivers in receiving yards (2,123), fourth in receiving yards per game (78.4) and tied for 14th in touchdowns (13) since 2024.
In 2026, he is due to make less than the San Francisco 49ers‘ Brandon Aiyuk, Pittsburgh Steelers‘ DK Metcalf, Buffalo Bills‘ D.J. Moore, Pittsburgh Steelers‘ Michael Pittman Jr., New York Jets‘ Garrett Wilson, Bengals’ Tee Higgins and Seahawks’ Rashid Shaheed. Those receivers have combined for one Pro Bowl appearance since 2024, with Higgins being the lone recipient. Collins has made it twice in that same period.
So expect the Texans to give him a raise eventually because Collins has told teammates that he is underpaid.