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Nico Collins is the latest Houston Texans player mired in trade speculation.

Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio shut down speculation regarding a potential trade of wide receiver Nico Collins in arguably his most pointed comments about such a topic since taking over.

Collins is a two-time Pro Bowler who has logged 1,000-plus receiving yards in each of the past three campaigns.

However, he is not oblivious to his situation.

Texans Insider Expects Nico Collins Contract Extension

ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime reported on Collins’ situation with the Texans, which undoubtedly must be addressed at some point. Collins is signed through the 2027 season on a three-year, $72.7 million contract.

However, his production has outpaced his pay rate, which Collins is well aware of.

“Reports suggested that teams were calling the Texans about Collins’ availability because of his contract, leading to trade speculation,” Bien-Aime wrote on April 25. “Collins is the 18th-highest paid wide receiver but is 10th among receivers in receiving yards (2,123), fourth in receiving yards per game (78.4) and tied for 14th in touchdowns (13) since 2024.

“So expect the Texans to give him a raise eventually because Collins has told teammates that he is underpaid.”

The Texans selected Collins 89th overall in the 2021 draft, and he has risen to their top option in the passing game, particularly over the past three seasons. However, there are some durability concerns, with Collins having yet to log a full regular-season slate.

That is very critical context around the Collins, the Texans, and a potential trade.

“Sources: Teams have called the #Texans to check on 2x Pro Bowl WR Nico Collins with an understanding in the league that he needs a contract adjustment,” Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reported on X on April 23.

“It seems highly unlikely Houston would deal him, but teams have checked. Collins will make $20.6M this season when the WR market is double that.”

However, Caserio took a position he has regarding other Texans trade speculation.

Nick Caserio Shuts Down Another Trade Rumor

“Teams call teams all the time and ask about players,” Caserio told reporters on April 25. “We’re not trading Nico Collins. So, whoever reported it or whatever information that they had, they can take it and shove it. We’re not trading Nico.”

This is not the first time Caserio has had to address trade speculation around one of the Texans’ star players.

He also shut down chatter about quarterback C.J. Stroud, calling it “moronic.”

“He’s our quarterback. He ain’t going anywhere,” Caserio told reporters in February. “We have a lot of confidence, a lot of belief [in Stroud], and I’d say the philosophy me and DeMeco [Ryans] have, we’re going to support our players and do everything we can to kind of help them.”

“Look, the stock market has been going down for five days. So, everybody’s probably panic-selling … Really, what you should do is you may invest in more. So, but anyways, we have a lot of confidence in C.J., have got a lot of confidence in our players, and I’m glad he’s our quarterback.”

Collins is Stroud’s top target, and it would make little sense to move on from him, especially without a clear-cut replacement among their plethora of depth options.