The 2022 NFL regular season was filled with chaos and confusion for the Houston Texans. From the front office to the coaching staff and players, it was as if the team was walking in a circle, and things were mirroring themselves from the previous two seasons.
Even though they defeated the Indianapolis Colts in Week 18 to win their final game of the season, bringing their win total to three, the players’ mood was somber a day later as they went through the routine of cleaning out their lockers. For the third consecutive season, they had finished with less than five wins.
As second-year wide receiver Nico Collins, who was unable to compete in the last five regular-season games due to a foot injury, placed the remaining things from his locker in a bag, you could sense the frustration of the season’s totality. He finished the season with 37 receptions for 481 yards and two touchdowns in ten games.
It was as if he could hear all of his critic’s voices and social media posts alluding to how the Texans wasted a draft pick on him all at once.
“I am going to show them,” Collins said exclusively to Big Sarge Media about the naysayers. “Fully healthy; I am going to prove all of the doubters wrong because I know what I can do when I am fully healthy.”
Collins, a third-round pick in the 2021 NFL draft, fulfilled that promise and exceeded his expectations in 2023 with 80 receptions for 1,297 yards receiving and eight touchdowns. He finished ranked in the top ten of four statistical categories (receiving yards, yards per reception, touchdowns, and yards per game) for wide receivers.
Those numbers were good enough for general manager Nick Caserio to extend Collins to a three-year deal that will pay him up to $75 million with $52 million guaranteed and a $17 million signing bonus.
Even with the Texans showing Collins how much they appreciate him, the former Michigan standout feels he still has much more to prove to the unbelievers.
“I feel like the doubt and the hate comes with it (contract extension),” said Collins after his press conference on Thursday exclusively to Big Sarge Media. “I have been doubted and hated my entire life. I have been counted out. So, this is perfect timing for me to continue to be myself and show people what I can do. Now, I feel like the spotlight has gotten bigger, and now I am a target, which is what comes with it. It is a part of the game, and it is up to me how I am going to handle it.
“How can I continue to be myself and be available for the team? But for me, it is motivation. I just love the game of football and I am going to keep loving this game until I can’t anymore. I am going to continue to thank the man above (God), continue to thank my parents, my circle, and keep my head down and keep shining.”
Growing up in Birmingham, Alabama, Collins envisioned himself playing in the NFL one day and getting to the point where his name would be mentioned amongst the upper echelon of players currently playing his position. His work ethic, instilled in him from his adolescent days by his father and grandfather, along with his talented skillset, was on full display as he made himself a readily available target for quarterback C.J. Stroud.
“You always want to be the best at what you do,” Collins said. “That is what my pops (father) taught me. Whatever you do, go hard at it. Be the best at whatever you do. Lock in and be in the moment. I feel like there is more to improve on myself and my game. It’s something I have been working my whole life for and I feel like now I have to elevate.”
Heading into the 2024 season, the Texans’ wide receiver group will be one of the strongest in the league. Stefon Diggs was added in the offseason via trade from the Buffalo Bills to go along with Collins and second-year player Tank Dell, who was having a breakout season before being injured in the Week 13 matchup with the Denver Broncos.
With his contract secured, Collins must embrace his new role as “Vet” to the team’s younger wide receivers and players.
“I remember being in their shoes,” said Collins about the younger players. “My rookie year coming into the league, and I’m having Chris Conley, Brandon Cooks, Phillip Dorsett, and Chris Moore as my vets.
“The way the business goes, I end up being the vet, two years later saying, ‘It’s my turn.’ So I feel like now it’s that time; I have to lead the way I know I can. I’ll continue to help Tank, (John) Metchie, Xavier (Hutchinson), and everybody else so we all can feel the same. Build their confidence. Tell them to continue to be you, play football, the same game you’ve played since you were young.
“So, I feel like being that vet in the room, there’s no better feeling than being a leader, one of the leaders in the room, and it’s just amazing having that status.”
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| Collins greets campers in attendance for his football camp |