Getty

Will Anderson Jr. #51 of the Houston Texans celebrates after sacking Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Houston Texans and defensive end Will Anderson Jr. have put an end to weeks of speculation. The two sides have agreed to a multi-year contract extension that will keep one of the league’s premier pass rushers with the organization for the foreseeable future.

Anderson has quickly established himself, earning two Pro Bowl trips, a First Team All-Pro nod, and the Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

Now, he has reset the market for non-quarterbacks.

Will Anderson Jr. Makes History With Texans Contract Extension

Houston traded up to draft Anderson third overall in the 2023 draft. They picked up his fifth-year option earlier this offseason. It was presumed only to be a matter of time before they agreed to a long-term deal.

Also, as expected, Anderson’s contract is of historic proportions.

“The #Texans and All-Pro edge Will Anderson Jr. have agreed on a blockbuster, 3-year, $150M extension with $134M guaranteed to make him the NFL’s highest paid non-QB ever,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on X on April 17. “The deal, which includes a rare no-trade clause, was done by @AgentNicoleLynn of @KlutchSports.”

According to KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson, Anderson’s deal includes a $32 million signing bonus and $100 million fully guaranteed. It also has a no-trade clause.

Anderson, who turns 25 in September, set career-highs in 2025 with 54 total tackles, 12.0 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries. He overtakes Micah Parsons of the Green Bay Packers as the highest-paid non-QB.

Anderson also beat Spotrac’s projected $39 million annual market valuation.

Texans Follow Own Trend

The Texans’ decision on Anderson follows a pattern. He joins the likes of Derek Stingley Jr. and Jalen Pitre as players the Texans have addressed early.

Stingley, the third overall pick of the 2022 draft, signed a three-year, $90 million extension in March 2025. The Texans selected Pitre 37th overall in that same class, inking him to a three-year, $39 million deal in April 2025.

Anderson’s impact has been undeniable.

He ranks 11th in the league in sacks since entering, per Stathead, and he is sixth over the past two seasons (with 1.5 fewer sacks than Parsons) over the past two seasons.

Anderson is one of 10 players who have at least 20.0 sacks since the start of the 2024 regular season. That is despite playing alongside Danielle Hunter, who ranks third in sacks during that same span.

Notably, the Texans’ decision on Anderson follows their one-year extension for Hunter.

Former Texans Starter Sends Strong Message After Landmark Deal

Anderson’s former Texans teammate and fellow edge defender, Jonathan Greenard, reacted to the news of the historic deal.

“This man Will is making 50Ms!!!!!!” Greenard, now of the Minnesota Vikings, said in a post on X on April 17, adding that Anderson “deserves EVERY PENTY” and is “One of my favorite teammates EVER.”

Greenard is mired in trade speculation with the Vikings.

He signed with Minnesota in free agency during the 2024 offseason, earning his first Pro Bowl nod that season.

However, a shoulder injury limited Greenard this past season, and he has been a trade candidate this offseason. Perhaps fittingly, Greenard’s four-year, $76 million contract–which runs through 2027–is part of why no deal has come to fruition yet.

Greenard’s is a cautionary tale, but one that also showed the rewards such decisions can yield.

The Texans have seen what Anderson would become from the outset. This deal reflects that while also serving as a feather in the organization’s cap.