The Houston Texans and defensive end Will Anderson Jr. have reportedly come to terms on a 3 year, $150M contract extension on Friday. The deal would make him the highest paid non-quarterback and also includes $134M in guaranteed money.
Houston used their 2027 fifth year option on Anderson a few weeks prior, setting the table for the record setting extension. The former 3rd overall pick from the 2023 NFL Draft has been named to the Pro Bowl twice, and took home first team All-Pro honours in 2025.
Anderson had his most productive year as a pro last season recording 12 sacks, 20 tackles for loss, 54 tackles, 3 forced fumbles, 2 fumbles recovered, a touchdown, and 3 passes defended across 17 games. Each of those represented a new career high for the former Alabama Crimson Tide standout.
His advanced analytics supported the case for him being paid amongst the NFL’s elite as he ranked 7th in run stop rate (12.6%) 3rd in run stuffs (13), and second in pressures (85) across all defenders with at least 150 snaps. For his efforts, he was named runner up to Myles Garrett for the Defensive Player of the Year award, as the Texans defence ranked amongst the best in the NFL in most statistical categories.
Anderson is the latest core player to receive an extension in Houston this year joining DE Danielle Hunter, TE Daniel Shultz, and K Ka’imi Fairbairn as players who have seen sizeable pay raises this offseason. The team had previously locked up WR Nico Collins, and CB Derek Stingley Jr. to multi-year extensions prior to the 2025 NFL campaign, while QB C.J. Stroud remains on his rookie deal.
Since Anderson and Stroud joined the roster, the team is 32-19 with two AFC South divisional titles. The young quarterback is also due for a long term extension, though the team may opt to slow-play those negotiations after some uneven play from their franchise signal caller last season.
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