Texans GM: Collins stance clear, not trading him

April 25, 2026 No Comments

Texans’ position on Nico Collins clear, not trading him, GM saysDJ Bien-AimeApr 25, 2026, 01:05 AM ETClose

DJ Bien-Aime covers the Houston Texans for ESPN. He joined ESPN in July of 2022 after covering the New York Jets for the New York Daily News. He’s a former athlete who finished his college career at Louisville. You can catch DJ on ESPN Radio on his show “Talkin’ Texans.”

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HOUSTON — Texans general manager Nick Caserio made it clear Friday that wideout Nico Collins is not available for trade.

“We’re not trading Nico Collins,” Caserio reported at the end of Day 2 of the draft. “Whoever stated it or whatever information that they had, they can shove it. We’re not trading Nico.”

Reports suggested that teams were calling the Texans about Collins’ availability because of his contract, leading to trade speculation. The Pro Bowl wideout is due $20,875,005 in 2025 after signing a three-year, $72 million extension in 2024.

Since Collins signed his extension, the wideouts’ contracts have become more lucrative. In that same year, Minnesota Vikings wideout Justin Jefferson signed a four-year extension worth $140 million with an annual average salary of $35 million. The following offseason, Cincinnati Bengals wideout Ja’Marr Chase signed an extension worth $161 million with an annual salary of $40,250,000 over four years.

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In March, Seattle Seahawks wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba signed a four-year, $168.6 million contract extension, with $120 million guaranteed after the Seahawks’ Super Bowl run.

Collins is the 18th-highest paid but is 10th among receivers in receiving yards (2,123), fourth in receiving yards per game (78.4) and is tied for 14th in touchdowns (13) since 2024.

So, expect the Texans to give him a raise eventually because Collins has told teammates that he’s underpaid.

In 2026, he’s due to make less than San Francisco 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk, Pittsburgh Steelers’ DK Metcalf, Buffalo Bills’ D.J. Moore, Pittsburgh Steelers’ Michael Pittman Jr., New York Jets’ Garrett Wilson, Bengals’ Tee Higgins and Seahawks’ Rashid Shaheed. The aforementioned receivers have combined for one Pro Bowl appearance since 2024, with Higgins being the lone recipient. Collins has made it twice in that same period.