Texans signing WR Collins to 3-year extension

The Houston Texans are signing wide receiver Nico Collins to a three-year extension worth approximately $24 million per season, according to The Athletic's Dianna Russini.

Collins' deal - which has a base value of $72.7 million - is worth up to $75 million and includes $52 million in guaranteed money, his agents told ESPN's Adam Schefter. His new average annual salary ranks seventh in the NFL among wide receivers, per Spotrac.

A third-round pick in 2021, Collins was entering the final year of his rookie contract. He broke out last season and led the Texans with 80 receptions for 1,297 yards and eight touchdowns in 15 games. The 25-year-old's 16.2 yards per catch ranked seventh among eligible pass-catchers.

Prior to the 2023 campaign, the Michigan product hadn't topped 500 yards in a season.

Collins is a key starter in a Texans offense that's been trending upward since the team drafted star quarterback C.J. Stroud. After a stunning playoff appearance last season, Houston added several new offensive weapons, including Pro Bowl receiver Stefon Diggs and running back Joe Mixon.

With Diggs, Collins, and Tank Dell, the Texans boast one of the sport's most explosive and complete trio of wideouts.

Several wide receivers cashed in this offseason. The Philadelphia Eagles recently made A.J. Brown the NFL's highest-paid receiver with a three-year, $96-million contract, and the Detroit Lions rewarded Amon-Ra St. Brown with a four-year extension worth $120.01 million. Philadelphia also signed DeVonta Smith to a new three-year, $75-million contract last month.