The Houston Texans have stood firm on their stance regarding a potential trade of two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Nico Collins.
Collins is under contract through the 2027 season, but he has thoroughly outproduced his current pact. That is particularly true in the context of rising contract values at virtually every position, not the least of which being wide receiver.
Collins is keeping the main thing as his focus, though, and that is winning.
Texans’ Nico Collins Sends Clear Message on Future
GettyNico Collins is taking a long-term approach to his Houston Texans tenure.
Collins’ three-year, $72.7 million contract with the Texans expires in 2028, but the former third-round pick (2021) is already thinking beyond that.
He told KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson that he hopes to retire a Texan when asked directly.
“It’d mean a lot, man,” Collins told Wilson on May 10 of playing his entire career in Houston. “I want to put my roots here. I love the Texans. I got drafted here. It’s somewhere I want to end. So, I love the city, the people, the community. There’s a lot of great positive vibes coming out the city of Houston. So, it’s definitely a place I would like to retire.”
Collins’ deal is not even in the top-10 in terms of total or annual value, and it is outside of the top 20 in terms of guaranteed money. Despite the production to warrant a raise, Collins appears content to do his loudest talking on the field and let the Texans and his camp sort out the rest.
The Texans have extended Azeez Al-Shaair and Will Anderson Jr. this offseason, and plans for C.J. Stroud have to be in place, too.
That could leave the Texans feeling the squeeze on Collins, Stroud’s top target.
Nick Caserio: Texans Not Trading Nico Collins
GettyHouston Texans executive vice president and general manager Nick Caserio made his stance very clear on a potential Nico Collins trade.
The Texans can argue that Collins’ durability remains a concern. He has 289 receptions, 4,347 yards, and 24 touchdowns in his career, but he has yet to log a full slate of regular-season contests. He matched his career-high with 15 appearances during the 2025 campaign.
The Texans cannot argue against Collins’ value, particularly with their most significant addition to the group being the return of Tank Dell from a significant knee injury.
Texans general manager Nick Caserio stamped Collins’ importance, rejecting trade speculation.
“Teams call teams all the time and ask about players,” Caserio told reporters in April. “We’re not trading Nico Collins. So, whoever reported it or whatever information that they had, they can take it and shove it. We’re not trading Nico.”
Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reported on teams inquiring about trading for Collins in April, with ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime expressing expectations that the Texans will address his contract instead.
Nico Collins Puts Texans on Notice
GettyNico Collins knows there is a lot of work to do for the Houston Texans to reach the Super Bowl.
Collins has been encouraged by the Texans’ offseason, which has resulted in several new teammates, starters even, at critical positions.
Rookie second-round pick Kayden McDonald is aiming for the Super Bowl.
“Got to set the standard early. Got to manifest it, for sure, and I believe in that,” Collins told Wilson with a smile on his face. “And it’s starting now. The rookies just got in, and a little work starting out, for sure.”
The Texans have made the playoffs in each of the past three seasons, and each time they have been ousted in the Divisional Round.
Collins may believe in what the Texans have built, but he knows talent alone will not win it all.
“The excitement is great, man,” Collins said. “I feel like we had a great draft. OTAs starting back up, getting back in that mode. So, I feel like the energy is great. And got to continue to go in our mission to head that Super Bowl, so–it starts right now, though.”
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