Breaking down Texans’ Will Anderson Jr.’s record $150 million deal, Azeez Al-Shaair’s $54 million extension

HOUSTON – The blockbuster paydays for Texans defensive standouts Will Anderson Jr. and Azeez Al-Shaair were months in the making.

Ultimately, Anderson became the highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history through a three-year, $150 million extension.

And Al-Shaair is now the third-highest paid off-ball linebacker in the NFL via a three-year, $54 million contract.

Here are the full details of each respective deal, per league sources.

Anderson’s contract has a new-money average of $50 million, making him the highest paid defensive player in the league in terms of average compensation per year. It was negotiated by Texans general manager Nick Caserio and Nicole Lynn of Klutch Sports.

His deal includes a $32 million signing bonus, a no-trade clause, $134.063 million total guaranteed and $100.063 million fully guaranteed for skill, injury and salary cap.

Anderson is due base salaries of $1.145 million (fully guaranteed) in 2026, $21.919 million (fully guaranteed) in 2027, $39.5 million (fully guaranteed) in 2028, $39.5 million ($5.5 million fully guaranteed at signing, $34 million more guaranteed if on roster the fifth day of the 2028 league year and $41.5 million nonguaranteed in 2030.

In 2028, 2029 and 2030, Anderson is due up to $500,000 in per game active roster bonuses.

He has annual salary-cap figures and cash flows of $13.197 million and $33.145 million in 2026, $28.318 million and $21.918 million in 2027, $46.4 million and $40 million in 2028,$46.4 million and $40 million in 2029 and $48.4 million and $42 million in 2030.

Al-Shaair’s contract, negotiated by Caserio and Jason Chayut of Sports Stars, includes a $14 million signing bonus, $45.75 million total guaranteed and $38.75 million fully guaranteed with $7 million guaranteed for injury. It’s three years and $54 million in new money.

Al-Shaair is due base salaries of $1.75 million (fully guaranteed), $15 million (fully guaranteed), $15 million (guaranteed $8 million fully guaranteed at signing, fully guaranteed if on roster the fifth day of the 2028 league year), $17 million and $30 million (a void year in 2030).

Al-Shaair has salary-cap figures and cash totals annually of $8.786 million in 2026 and $16.25 million, $22.316 million and $15.75 million in 2027, $22.316 million and $15.75 million in 2028, $22.116 million and $17.75 million in 2029 and $30 million in 2030. The year automatically voids 23 days prior to the start of the 2030 league year.

Al-Shaair has up to $500,000 in per game active roster bonuses in 2026, and annually $750,000 in per game active roster bonuses from 2027 to 2029.

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com