Trade rumors silenced. The Texans GM emphatically declares Nico Collins is staying, hinting at a lucrative new deal for the underpaid star receiver.
The Houston Texans entered the 2026 offseason knowing that some important contract decisions would have to be made. The main situations that needed to be addressed were the fifth-year options on both C.J. Stroud's and Will Anderson's rookie contracts. Both of those options have already been picked up, and Anderson has signed a lucrative extension to become the NFL's highest-paid non-quarterback. The next contract that might need to be addressed is that of superstar wide receiver Nico Collins.
Right before the 2026 NFL Draft, rumors began to swirl that Collins could be traded, but obviously, a trade never came to fruition. Teams around the league called to inquire about the wide receiver and his availability, but the Texans seemed to shut those inquiries down.
Collins is signed through the 2027 season, and he is making roughly $24 million per year. He has outplayed his current contract, though. He can be considered underpaid in relation to other wide receivers around the league.
General Manager Nick Caserio had to speak to the media a few times during the 2026 NFL Draft, and he fielded some questions about potentially trading Collins. He made his feelings on the matter very clear, "We're not trading Nico Collins. Whoever reported it or whatever information that they had, they can shove it. We're not trading Nico."
Caserio wants Collins in Houston, and that is understandable considering how good the wideout has been over the last several seasons. The organization needs to do everything possible to make life easy on its young quarterback, and trading Collins would make things harder on Stroud.
Without a trade coming, it is fair to assume that the Texans may plan on giving Collins a raise in the near future. This would likely come before the 2026 season. According to DJ Bien-Aime, who covers the franchise for ESPN, the wide receiver is well aware that he is underpaid when compared to other players at his position. Bien-Aime wrote in a piece during the NFL Draft that Collins has spoken to teammates about the situation, "So expect the Texans to give him a raise eventually because Collins has told teammates that he is underpaid."
A raise could include a reworked contract that has more years added on, which could result in the wide receiver being in Houston past the 2027 season. It will be interesting to see how everything unfolds as Stroud's potential extension will also be a talking point.