HOUSTON — The Houston Texans announced May 26 that Nico Collins will receive a $9 million increase in 2026 and an $8 million increase in 2027, raising his 2026 salary to $29.88 million. That figure made Collins the fifth-highest paid wide receiver at the time of the announcement.
Collins signed a three-year, $72 million extension in 2024 after totaling 1,297 yards and eight touchdowns in coach DeMeco Ryans’ and quarterback C.J. Stroud’s debut seasons in 2023. Since that extension, Collins ranks 10th in receiving yards (2,123), fourth in receiving yards per game (78.4) and is tied for 14th in touchdowns (13).
The Stroud-Collins connection has been productive since 2023, producing a passer rating of 89.6 and 3,004 passing yards; Stroud’s yards per attempt in those splits was 10.9 with a 19:6 touchdown-to-interception ratio. The teams’ on- and off-field splits show notable differences: in 2024, Stroud’s yards per attempt was 6.4 with Collins off the field (QBR 37.5) and 7.5 with Collins on the field (QBR 55.5); off-target percentage fell from 21% off the field to 13.5% on the field. In 2025, Stroud’s numbers were better with Collins off the field, posting a QBR of 72.7, 6.8 yards per attempt and a 6:2 touchdown-to-interception ratio when Collins did not play.
Second-year offensive coordinator Nick Caley described Collins as “extremely important to what we do,” praising his size, speed and versatility to affect all three levels of the defense. The Texans said the raise was intended to keep Collins’ compensation more in line with his on-field performance.
Before the rework, Collins’ $20.88 million 2026 figure would have been the 18th-highest at the position. He trailed receivers including Brandon Aiyuk, DK Metcalf, D.J. Moore, Michael Pittman Jr., Garrett Wilson, Tee Higgins and Rashid Shaheed — a group that combined for one Pro Bowl appearance since 2024 (Higgins). Following Collins’ original extension, the receiver market continued to escalate with Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase and Jaxon Smith-Njigba signing larger extensions in subsequent offseasons.
Collins called the new deal “definitely a blessing” and said it provided long-term security for his family while serving as motivation to “continue to chop wood” with the team.
