Houston has made a major financial commitment to 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.
The Athletic's Dianna Russini first reported news.
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.
In the Texans’ two playoff games in 2023, Collins also caught 11 passes (on 17 targets) for 164 yards and a touchdown.
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.