The Houston Texans already gave Nico Collins a meaningful bump on his current deal earlier this offseason, and that adjustment is looking better for the receiver by the day. But it may not be nearly enough to keep up with where the wide receiver market is headed next.
After the Texans tacked on $9 million to Collins’ 2026 money and added an $8 million raise for 2027, he moved from roughly $20 million in 2026 to being one of the highest-paid receivers in the league over the next two seasons. Even so, his next contract - the one that would arrive in 2028 when he hits free agency - now figures to land well above that $30 million-per-year range.
The reason is simple: the bar just got reset again.
Baltimore handed Zay Flowers a four-year, $130 million extension, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The deal begins in 2028 and runs through 2031, with an annual average value of $35 million. That puts Flowers in elite company and gives the market another big number for top receivers to chase.
The $35M per year extension for Zay Flowers ties him with Justin Jefferson in new-money average per year.1) Jaxon Smith-Njigba: $42.15M2) Ja'Marr Chase: $40.25M3) Drake London: $35.25M4) Zay Flowers: $35MT-4) Justin Jefferson: $35M6) CeeDee Lamb: $34M https://t.co/N2YCFEvprj
That kind of deal ripples fast. When one No. 1 receiver gets paid, the rest of the top end of the position starts looking for the same kind of number - or more. Collins fits squarely into that group.
He’ll be due for a new extension after this season, and his case is only getting stronger. The Texans wideout has put together three years of production, is heading into a fourth season while still in his prime, and is doing it in a market that keeps climbing. That makes a future contract above Flowers’ number very much in play, with Collins potentially pushing past $40 million annually.
And it’s not just Collins. The same kind of payday could be coming for other premier receivers, including George Pickens and Puka Nacua, once their contracts expire this season.
For Houston, the important thing is that the team has not shown any interest in moving on from Collins. The offseason raise was one sign of that. So were general manager Nick Caserio’s comments at the draft, when he shut down trade questions about the receiver.
Still, the Texans are headed toward a crowded and expensive financial picture.
C.J. Stroud is lined up for a new deal that would start in 2028.
Calen Bullock and Kamari Lassiter are due for new contracts in that same offseason. Derek Stingley, Will Anderson, and Azeez Al-Shaair have already been paid.
Add Collins into that mix, and the cost of keeping the core together starts to rise quickly.
That doesn’t automatically put Collins on the chopping block. He’s a top-10 player at his position, he’s been steady for years, and he remains a central part of Houston’s passing game. If the Texans have to choose, it’s more likely they look elsewhere before letting a receiver of his caliber walk.
For now, Houston gets some breathing room. The current core won’t really feel the squeeze for another two years, which gives the Texans this season and next to make their push without having to make the toughest roster calls just yet.
But once 2028 arrives - the same year Collins is due for his next contract - the financial pressure could hit hard, and keeping this group intact may take some creative work from Caserio and the front office.
In Other News...
Texans Camp Just Made One Roster Battle Feel A Lot More Real
The Texans second padded training camp practice brought a little more edge to the field, and not just because the pads were on. It was Jadeveon Clowneys first day back after re-signing on a one-year deal, adding another experienced body to a defensive end room that already leans on Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter. The session itself tilted heavily toward the offense, with C.J. Stroud drawing praise for a strong day and rookie wideout Jayden Higgins popping up with a few notable plays.
For Houston, the early days of camp are already beginning to sort out the kinds of decisions that can linger into August. The punter competition between Kroeger and Stonehouse remains part of the evaluation process, but Clowneys return gives the defense a more defined look and gives the Texans another familiar name to mix into the rotation. Even in a practice that featured offensive highlights, the roster picture is starting to sharpen in a way that makes the next few weeks worth watching. [Read more 🡒]
Texans Offense Has A Matchup Edge Defenses May Not Handle
Houstons offense is already drawing attention for a trait that does not show up in every scouting report: size. The 2026 roster includes several unusually tall pass-catchers, headlined by rookie tight end Marlin Klein, and the thought is that the Texans could use that length to create matchup problems when the field shortens and every throw gets more important.
Against Buffalo, that edge looks even more intriguing because the Bills defensive personnel does not naturally match up well with Houstons height at every spot. In the key moments of this matchup, the Texans may have a straightforward way to stress coverage, especially if they are able to line up their bigger targets where defenders have to play through contact and play above the rim. [Read more 🡒]
Texans Send Clear Message With Latest Running Back Move
The Texans spent part of training camp taking a closer look at veteran running backs Alexander Mattison and Hassan Haskins, a sign they are still searching for more stability behind the top of the depth chart. With a proven starter in David Montgomery already in place, Houston is not shopping for a headline addition so much as trying to make sure the room holds up once the real hits of the season begin.
Mattison brings six years of NFL experience and is working his way back after recovering from a serious injury last season, while Haskins offers another option for a team that wants more competition at the position. For Houston, the interest is less about splash and more about practicality, and the next step will show whether either veteran fits what the Texans want as camp keeps moving. [Read more 🡒]