Will Anderson Is Highest-Paid Non-QB Ever After $150M Texans Contract Extension, Has No-Trade Clause

On the heels of his career year, the Houston Texans are rewarding defensive end Will Anderson Jr. with a hefty payday.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported the sides agreed to a three-year, $150 million deal after Houston already picked up his $21.5 million option for 2026. The deal makes Anderson the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history and includes a no-trade clause.

Anderson finished with 12 sacks, 20 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles. He was a Pro Bowler for the second time and earned All-Pro honors. According to ESPN.com, he had the fourth-highest pass-rush win rate (23 percent) among edge defenders.

The Texans were bold when they moved up to get the former Alabama standout. Having already taken C.J. Stroud at No. 2, they gave up two first-rounders as part of the deal to ensure they snagged the best pass-rusher on the board.

At the time, the general consensus was that Anderson was a prospect with a ton of promise, and he'd need to fulfill that potential in order to justify the organization's overall investment.

The gambit has paid off so far.

The Texans have made the playoffs for three straight years, and Anderson cemented his status as an elite edge defender this past season.

Coming into 2025, one NFL talent evaluator told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler that Anderson "doesn't have a lot of glaring weaknesses," while one executive from an AFC team offered a similar sentiment.

"He's got a complete skill set," they said. "And he's only getting better. Only two years in the league. Will keep improving."

Those comments proved prescient, and opposing offenses will be terrified by the fact Anderson may still have another level yet to reach.

One downside of having Stroud and Anderson in the same draft class is that they start to become much more expensive at the same time. In the case of Stroud, though, figuring out his value became more difficult with how much he regressed after his breakout rookie campaign.

There were no such doubts with Anderson. When Aidan Hutchinson got $45 million annually from the Detroit Lions, the Texans had an idea of what it would take to retain their standout edge-rusher.

Anderson more than justified that kind of outlay.