Will Anderson Jr. is set for a massive payday. Discover the eye-watering price tag anticipated for the Texans' defensive cornerstone.
The Houston Texans had a franchise-altering performance during the 2023 NFL Draft, landing two top-three selections. Houston found its assumed franchise quarterback in C.J. Stroud, and the Texans were also able to draft one of the best defensive players in the league in Will Anderson Jr. with the third overall pick in the event. The Texans also added key contributors like Tank Dell, Xavier Hutchinson, and Henry To'oTo'o through the event.
The players drafted in 2023 wrapped up their third NFL season in 2025, which means it is time for these guys to start getting paid. Players are now eligible for extensions, and players who were selected in the first round will have their fifth-year options decided on during the 2026 offseason. It has already been reported that the Texans will be picked up the options on both Stroud and Anderson's rookie deals.
Picking up the options makes sense for the organization in both cases. Stroud has regressed over the last two seasons, and the price of the fifth-year option will be less than whatever Stroud might earn on a new deal. This also gives the Texans an extra season to see if he is truly the guy at quarterback for the team. Anderson's was also a no-brainer, as the cost of his fifth-year option will also be less than his extension.
Fans have at least been thinking about the new extension coming Anderson's way, because it is going to be a big one. The edge rusher market surged during the 2025 season, which is something the young defensive end probably loved to see. It surpassed the $40 million market for the league's best, and Anderson certainly fits that mold. NFL insider Tom Pelissero spoke about Anderson's potential price tag during an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, "The price for elite pass rushers is only going up Will Anderson Jr., in addition to being a top young pass rusher in the league, he's also one of their locker room guys. One of just the great, grounded, humble young men. That's the guy he is in the locker room. Very involved in the community. He's everything you want a Texan to be. There's a price on that, and it starts with a four, at least, for Will Anderson, Jr. The sooner you do that, the more you can get ahead of the marketplace for some of the other guys; they're gonna be coming up."
Anderson should desire to be the highest-paid edge rusher in the NFL, a mark that currently belongs to Micah Parsons of the Green Bay Packers. He brings in roughly $46.5 million per season, and Anderson's new deal should beat that, and it might even hit $50 million when it comes to average annual value.