NFL contract update: Nico Collins gets $17 million cash upgrade as the Houston Texans guarantee his salary for the next two seasons

Nico Collins is getting a bag upgrade and honestly, good for him. The Houston Texans just handed their star wide receiver a sweeter deal, guaranteeing his money for the next two seasons and adding a whole lot of extra cash on top. When your quarterback's favourite target comes knocking, you pay the man. Simple as that.Collins and the Texans reached an agreement on an adjusted contract that guarantees his salary for the next two seasons, with a $9 million cash increase this year and an $8 million cash increase next year, per agents Drew and Jason Rosenhaus. Collins remains under contract with Houston for the next two seasons and is set to become a free agent in 2028. That is $17 million in extra guaranteed cash, just like that. No new contract, no extra years tacked on, just Houston making sure their best wide receiver goes into the season knowing his money is safe, and his future is secure. A little pat on the back that happens to cost $17 million.This is not even the first time the two sides have done this dance. Last year, Collins agreed to restructure his deal to help the Texans create cap space, essentially doing the franchise a favour. Back in March 2025, Collins agreed to a restructure that converted $12.33 million of his salary into a bonus, saving the Texans $9.8 million in cap space. He scratched their back, and now they are scratching his, with interest.Here is the thing: none of this is surprising if you have been paying attention. As recently as April, Texans GM Nick Caserio was asked about trade rumours surrounding Collins and responded with one of the better quotes of the NFL offseason: "They can take it and shove it, we're not trading Nico." Iconic energy from a general manager. Collins was already owed $20 million fully guaranteed in 2026 and $21.25 million nonguaranteed in 2027. Tuesday's adjustment simply takes the "nonguaranteed" part off the table and puts the money firmly in Collins' pocket. CJ Stroud has his favourite target locked in. The Texans have their guy. And Nico Collins is going into the 2026 season with $17 million more in guaranteed money than he had on Monday. Not a bad Tuesday.