The Houston Texans have a clear message for anyone eyeing their star wideout: keep your trade offers to yourselves. Amid the chaos of the 2026 NFL Draft, General Manager Nick Caserio officially slammed the door on rumors suggesting Nico Collins was on the move.
Reports had surfaced earlier in the week that rival franchises were checking in on Collins, likely hoping to capitalize on a perceived contract gap. While Collins is a two-time Pro Bowler coming off three consecutive 1,000-yard campaigns, he is currently slated to make $20.6 million this season, a figure well below the market rate for elite receivers.
However, Caserio was not in the mood for subtlety when he addressed the buzz during a draft-day presser.”We’re not trading Nico,” Caserio told reporters, as noted by Houston Texans beat writer Jonathan M. Alexander. “Whatever information they had, they can take it and shove it.”It is easy to see why the front office is playing hardball.
Collins served as the engine of the Texans’ air attack in 2025, recording 71 catches for 1,117 yards and six touchdowns across 15 regular-season games. His chemistry with quarterback C.J. Stroud helped propel Houston to a 12-5 record and a dominant 30-6 Wild Card win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Even with the emergence of younger talent, Collins remains the undisputed WR1 in DeMeco Ryans’ offense.
The Texans clearly view Collins as a cornerstone rather than a trade chip. Despite Caserio’s history of aggressive draft-day maneuvers, he has executed over 25 trades since 2021. Moving a player of Collins’ caliber would be a massive step backward for a team with Super Bowl aspirations. After securing a massive extension for Will Anderson Jr. earlier this month, the front office seems focused on keeping its core intact. For now, the “Big Nico” era in Houston continues, and the rest of the league can officially stop calling.
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