Will Anderson Jr. inks $150 million contract extension with Texans: What to know
Will Anderson Jr. inks $150 million contract extension with Texans: What to know
Nick Brinkerhoff, USA TODAY Fri, April 17, 2026 at 5:54 PM UTC
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Will Anderson Jr. inks $150 million contract extension with Texans: What to know
Sacking the quarterback is a great way to make a living – especially if your name is Will Anderson Jr.
The star is set to cash in after he agreed to a three-year, $150 million extension with the Houston Texans according to reports. The news was confirmed by USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal is not official.
Anderson has been wreaking havoc on defense for years, but only for a rookie salary. Now he'll have a salary that matches the production.
Anderson's deal carries an average annual value (AAV) of $50 million, which makes him the highest-paid edge rusher in the league, per OverTheCap, as well as the highest-paid non-QB.
That won't officially kick in until after the 2027 season, however, since Anderson will play the 2026 season on the final year of his rookie deal and the 2027 season on the fifth-year option.
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Houston drafted Anderson with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, following a shocking trade-up after selecting C.J. Stroud with the No. 2 pick. That double-dip at the top of the draft helped spark the turnaround for the Texans, who have made the playoffs in all three years with the duo.
After agreeing to the big extension, Anderson isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Here's everything to know about Anderson's extension with the Texans.
1 / 02026 NFL offseason tracker: Player signings, trades
OT Tytus Howard: Traded to Cleveland Browns (previous team: Houston Texans)
Will Anderson Jr. contract details -
Term: Three years
Total contract value: $150 million
Average annual value (AAV): $50 million
Guaranteed money: $134 million
Will Anderson Jr. stats
Anderson wasted no time racking up the accolades since arriving in Houston. He was named the 2023 Defensive Rookie of the Year and has earned a pair of Pro Bowl selections to go along with a runner-up finish for the 2025 Defensive Player of the Year.
In 46 games with the Texans, Anderson has 30 sacks, 136 total tackles, four forced fumbles and 64 quarterback hits. More importantly, he has proven to bring his game to another level in the playoffs.
The defender has eight sacks, three forced fumbles and 11 quarterback hits in just six playoff games.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Will Anderson Jr. contract: Texans agree to record extension with star
Source: “AOL Sports”
