HOUSTON – Texans All-Pro defensive end Will Anderson Jr. is now the highest paid non-quarterback and defensive player in NFL history.
The NFL Defensive Player of the Year finalist agreed to a three-year, $150 million deal that includes $100 million fully guaranteed, $134 million total guaranteed, a $50 million annual average, a $32 million signing bonus and a no-trade clause, per a league source.
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The blockbuster deal exceeds a record-setting deal signed by Green Bay Packers pass rusher Micah Parsons last year, a four-year, $188 million contract with $120 million fully guaranteed and $136 million total guaranteed for a $46.5 million annual average.
Although the Texans ultimately lost in the AFC divisional round playoffs’ to the New England Patriots, it wasn’t because of Anderson. He recorded three sacks, two forced fumbles and two tackles for losses.
The extremely high value of Anderson as a pass rusher and run-stopper was underscored again, just as it was all season during a breakout year. He finished the regular season with a career-high 12 sacks, 54 tackles, 20 tackles for losses and 23 quarterback hits.
Anderson, a former third overall pick acquired after a trade with the Arizona Cardinals, has proven himself at every turn on and off the field as a team captain and feared pass rusher and run-stopper.
“Of course,” Anderson said when asked by KPRC 2 after the season about his desire for a new deal with the Texans. “I want to be here my whole career. I love the Texans. I love everything about them. You know, they traded up and got me, man.
“But, you know I don’t really like to speak on all these things. But, of course I would love to be here, man, and if it’s in God’s will to happen, it’ll happen.”
In just three NFL seasons, Anderson already has recorded 30 sacks, 136 tackles, 46 tackles for losses and 64 quarterback hits.
According to Next Gen Stats, Anderson finished with the second-most quarterback pressures in the NFL with 85 and the third-highest pressure rate, a 20.5 percent clip. He also set the NFL record for most third-down pressures with 48 in a single season in the Next Gen Stats era.
“I love Will Anderson, love everything that he brings to our organization,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said during the NFL owners meetings. “You talk about a leader and a guy who does everything the right way, everything I’ve asked of him.
“I just remember speaking with Will, he was our first 30 visit, the first guy we had in. That meeting is still the best visit I’ve ever seen. He’s just that type of guy. He’s a leader in all respects. I love having Will and what he provides our organization.”
Without getting into specifics about future plans, the McNair family made it clear how highly they value both Anderson and quarterback C.J. Stroud, who was secured with a $25.9 million fifth-year club option through 2027 and isn’t expected to get an extension this year.
“We’ll let DeMeco and Nick [Caserio] make the football decisions there, but they’re exciting, really good young players,” Texans chairman and CEO Cal McNair said. “We hope to have them around for a long, long time.”
PHOENIX -- #Texans Cal McNair and Hannah McNair on potential long-term deals for Will Anderson Jr., C.J. Stroud: 'Exciting, really good players, we'll hope to have them around a long, long time. .. It's a good problem to have when you have so many guys you want to keep under… pic.twitter.com/WunQinzX0g
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) April 1, 2026
A year from now, cornerback Kamari Lassiter and safety Calen Bullock will be eligible for extensions. Both were named Pro Bowl alternates after the 2025 season.
“It’s a good problem to have when you have so many guys you want to keep under contract,” Hannah McNair said. “If we keep drafting the way we do, this is going to be something we talk about every year.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com