The Houston Texans have handed Will Anderson Jr. an astonishing new $150million three-year contract – the most lucrative salary ever awarded to a player that isn’t a quarterback.
The 24-year-old Anderson, a defensive end, has already recorded 30 sacks in three seasons on a defense that is feared across the NFL.
Now, he has been rewarded with a contract that will turn the market on its head. The deal has $134million guaranteed, as well as a no-trade clause to make sure he remains in Houston.
The Texans drafted him in 2023 with the third pick in the first round after he was a three-year starter at Alabama at college level.
The Texans traded up to take Anderson after initially choosing their starting quarterback CJ Stroud with the No. 2 pick.
Anderson, who stands at 6′ 4″ and 243 pounds, has seen rivals in his position cash in over recent months but his $50million-a-year deal marks a new high.
The Houston Texans have handed Will Anderson Jr. an astonishing new $150million deal
Anderson, 24, has been magnificent since the Texans drafted him back in 2023
Myles Garrett signed a $40million deal last March and Micah Parsons got a $46m contract after being traded from the Dallas Cowboys to the Green Bay Packers.
Last season, the Texans made it to the Divisional Round of the playoffs before losing 28-16 to eventual Super Bowl finalists, New England Patriots.
Anderson and his team started the 2025 season badly, going 0-3. But eventually things clicked into gear and they rounded out the regular season with a nine-game winning streak.
Next week, the Texans will add to their promising roster at the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh. They hold the 28th pick in round one, which is next Thursday night.
There is further reason for optimism on the offense, too. Wide receiver Tank Dell missed all of 2025 after a horrific knee injury sustained against the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2024 playoffs, where he suffered a dislocation and a torn ACL.
But his anticipated return in 2026 provides another offensive weapon to Stroud, as DeMeco Ryan looks to build on last year’s playoff run.
Now, with Anderson’s long-term future secure, their offseason is shaping up nicely.
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