NEWSLETTER
The Houston Texans have signed wide receiver Nico Collins to a three-year contract extension worth $24 million per year, locking up C.J. Stroud’s favorite target for the foreseeable future. That and more in today’s NFL Notes.
Texans, Nico Collins Agree to 3-Year Extension
The Houston Texans have signed wide receiver Nico Collins to a three-year contract extension worth $24 million per year. The Athletic’s Dianna Russini was the first to break the news on Tuesday afternoon. Collins had an outstanding season with Houston in 2023, recording 1,297 receiving yards on 80 catches with eight touchdowns.
Originally drafted in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Collins had a combined 70 passes for 927 yards and three touchdowns in his first two seasons with the Texans. In 2023, under first-year coach DeMeco Ryans and rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, Collins saw a significant increase in his production, receiving 109 targets and averaging a career-high 86.5 yards per game.
The Texans made a smart move by extending Collins, who had a breakout season in 2023. This move reduces the risk of losing him in the 2025 free-agent market. Collins needs to stay healthy and consistent, as he has struggled with injuries and varying production in the past.
Bills GM Brandon Beane on the Decision to Trade Stefon Diggs
The Stefon Diggs era in Buffalo is over after he was traded to the Houston Texans this offseason. On Tuesday, Bills GM Brandon Beane explained his decision to trade Diggs on The Athletic Football Show.
“A player of his caliber, you weigh a lot of things in those situations,” Beane said. “But ultimately, we just talked about the cap. I don’t need to go through all the reasons why we decided to go ahead and do that. I would say, from a cap standpoint, we decided just to go ahead and eat it now. We think we can compete and do what we need to do by eating it now. And not next year. Because if we didn’t, if we tried to come up with some way to split it up too many different ways, then now it’s just like that albatross hanging on your neck all year. You look at your cap, and you’re going, Look how much money we still have dead.”
Diggs will be a free agent after this season after the Houston Texans agree to terminate all of his contracts beyond 2024. This will allow him to search for his next long-term deal in free agency next spring.
Brandon McManus Accused of Sexual Assault During Jaguars Flight
Two individuals, identified as Jane Doe I and Jane Doe II in the legal action, brought a lawsuit against kicker Brandon McManus and the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday. They claimed that McManus sexually assaulted them during a team flight to London, alleging that he made unwanted physical contact with them. Additionally, they asserted that the Jaguars did not adequately supervise McManus or ensure a safe environment for their staff during the flight.
McManus signed with the Washington Commanders in March. The Commanders released a statement on Monday regarding the allegations:
“We take allegations of this nature very seriously and are looking into the matter,” the spokesperson said in a statement. “We have been in communication with the League Office and Brandon’s representation and will reserve further comment at this time.”
The two women, who worked as flight attendants on the Jaguars’ September 28, 2023, charter flight, alleged that McManus passed out $100 bills to encourage them to drink and dance for him. They also claimed that McManus made inappropriate physical advances towards them during the flight. McManus, 32, spent one season with the Jaguars after being released by the Denver Broncos.
The Jacksonville Jaguars also released a statement on Monday: “We’re aware of the complaint, and we acknowledge the significance of the claims,” the Jaguars said in a statement. “As we continue to look into the matter, it bears emphasizing that we insist on an organization built by people who represent our community and game with the highest character and class.”
Tony Buzbee—who represented multiple accusers in the sexual assault civil suits against Deshaun Watson—is the lawyer for the two women in this case.
“The allegations made in this lawsuit are very serious,” Buzbee wrote in a post on Instagram. “We made sure to fully vet them and speak to witnesses before even taking the cases. We will pursue this case with the same tenacity we are known for.”
