The Houston Texans and wide receiver Nico Collins have agreed to terms on a three-year contract extension that could be worth up to $75 million. The base figure is $72.75 million; he can earn the remaining amount through incentives.
Collins' new contract includes $52 million in guaranteed money and a $17 million signing bonus. Both parties had the urgency to get this deal done because the former Michigan standout is in the final year of his $4.87 million rookie scale contract. As a third-round pick in the 2021 NFL draft, Collins doesn't have a fifth-year option.
Compensation update: Texans and WR Nico Collins agreed to a three-year, $72.75 million extension with a max value of $75 million that includes $52 million guaranteed. Drew Rosenhaus, Ryan Matha, and Jason Rosenhaus negotiated and confirmed the deal. https://t.co/0bPRUQll10
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 28, 2024
Collins had a breakout season in 2023, coinciding with C.J. Stroud's rookie season. In his first two seasons with the Texans, the Alabama-born wideout had 70 receptions for 927 yards and three touchdowns.
He surpassed those numbers last year, posting career highs of 80 catches for 1,297 yards and eight touchdowns. He became the third receiver in Texans history (after Andre Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins) to surpass 1,200 yards in a season.
Collins proved he could be the Texans' top wide receiver, and he's getting top dollar. His $24.25 million average yearly salary is the seventh highest among wideouts. But after securing the bag, he must prove that 2023 is not an anomaly.
-Lance Fernandez