Texans signing WR Nico Collins to three-year, $72.5 million extension

Houston has made a significant financial investment in one of its promising, young wide receivers.

The Texans and Nico Collins have agreed on a new three-year, $72.5 million extension that includes $52 million guaranteed, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported Tuesday, per sources. The deal has a max value of $75 million.

News was first reported by Dianna Russini of The Athletic.

Collins will now become one of the 10 highest-paid receivers in the NFL with the new deal. According to Over The Cap, Collins’ per-year average of nearly $24.2 million places him seventh among all wide receivers, just ahead of the Seahawks’ DK Metcalf. The NFL’s highest-paid wideout, Philadelphia’s A.J. Brown, averages $32 million per year.

Collins, 25, enjoyed a breakout season in Year 3 while catching passes from rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud last season, totaling 80 receptions for 1,297 yards and eight touchdowns while also scoring a two-point conversion in 15 games (10 starts). Not only were all those numbers career highs, but all three totals were higher than his cumulative career receiving sums entering last season.

Collins also managed to catch 11 passes (out of 17 targets) for 164 yards and a touchdown in the two playoff games the Texans played in 2023.

It has been an extremely busy offseason in Houston following its divisional crown and unexpected playoff run in 2023. The Texans also traded for WR Stefon Diggs and running back Joe Mixon, bolstering a good offense and making 2024 one of the more anticipated upcoming seasons in recent franchise history.