Texans all but confirm All-Pro Will Anderson Jr.'s extension with viral photo

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Even the Houston Texans aren't trying to hide their excitement on the news surrounding Will Anderson Jr.'s status long-term.

According to reports, the Houston Texans and the All-Pro defensive end agreed to terms on a three-year, $150 million extension on Friday, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. The deal is expected to kick in after the 2027 season, thus keeping Anderson in Houston through 2030.

Less than an hour after the report came out, the Texans tweeted a photo on their X account of Anderson celebrating, thus signaling that the deal is real. It shouldn't be long now until the team makes the announcement via social media.


pic.twitter.com/VQTFR8YB5J

— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) April 17, 2026

Entering the offseason, Anderson remained the team's top priority after a stellar third year under head coach DeMeco Ryans' scheme. As the face of the franchise, the former No. 3 overall pick finished top 10 in pressures, QB hits, sacks (12), and tackles for loss (20) while anchoring the No. 2-ranked total defense opposite Pro Bowler Danielle Hunter.

Earlier this month, Houston exercised Anderson's fifth-year option to keep him around through 2027. This was a precursor to the major contract extension that couldn't get done earlier this offseason. It had been discussed ad nauseam that the former Alabama product would be the first of the two former first-round picks to receive a contract extension.


Source: Will Anderson is signing a three-year $150 million extension that makes him the highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history. The deal includes $134 million guaranteed. pic.twitter.com/tYNUR641oc

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 17, 2026

With the deal, the contract and annual salary surpass Green Bay Packers edge rusher Micah Parsons' deal signed last offseason. Parsons signed a four-year, $188 million contract extension that included $120 million fully guaranteed. The deal also passes Seattle Seahawks All-Pro wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who signed a four-year, $168.6 million contract extension with an annual salary of $42.2 million this offseason.


Will Anderson Jr. in three NFL seasons:

Defensive Rookie of the Year
2x Pro Bowler
First-Team All-Pro
30 sacks
4 forced fumbles
3 fumble recoveries
64 QB hits

And now: the NFL’s first-ever $50M-per-year non-QB. https://t.co/t9JTbI0xGL

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 17, 2026

Since Anderson's arrival, the Texans have featured a top-10 defense in every campaign. They've also won 32 total games, earning two AFC South titles and three playoff wins.

A former All-American at the University of Alabama, Anderson has defied nearly every expectation the Texans had when they traded ample draft capital to move up from No. 12 to No. 3 to select him after Pro Bowl quarterback C.J. Stroud. In just three NFL seasons, Anderson already earned two Pro Bowl nods, an All-Pro honor and was named the 2023 Defensive Rookie of the Year while recording 30 sacks, 46 tackles for losses, three fumble recoveries and 64 quarterback hits.

Follow along with Texans Wire throughout the rest of the afternoon for more coverage.

This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans: Franchise hints that Will Anderson Jr.'s extension is done

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