The price tag for the Houston Texans to retain third-year defensive end Will Anderson Jr. long-term could skyrocket even higher than it already has.
A force over his first three seasons, Anderson is extension-eligible this offseason.
Texans general manager Nick Caserio noted during his season-ending press conference that they will handle situations like Anderson’s on a case-by-case basis. If the latest news around the No. 3 overall pick of the 2023 draft is any indication, it could certainly behoove them to act fast.
Texans’ Will Anderson Draws NFL Attention
GettyWill Anderson Jr. #51 of the Houston Texans reacts against after a game against the Buffalo Bills.
The NFL announced on Thursday the finalists for season-long awards, with Anderson representing the Texans as a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year.
“[51 in emojis] is your DPOY finalist!” the Texans posted on X on January 22.
Anderson was the 2023 Defensive Rookie of the Year and is a two-time Pro Bowler. If Anderson wins, it would be the fourth time a Texans player has taken home the award and the first since 2012. All three previous instances were by Texans legend J.J. Watt.
Anderson is fortunate in that edge defenders won the award three seasons in a row before Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II earned it in 2024.
However, Anderson is one of five edge defenders on this year’s list of finalists.
Aidan Hutchinson of the Detroit Lions, Micah Parsons of the Green Bay Packers, Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns, and Nik Bonitto of the Broncos are the other finalists, along with Anderson.
Garrett, who won the award in 2023, set a new NFL record with 23 sacks during the 2025 regular season. He and Anderson share representation, Nicole Lynn of Klutch Sports.
Anderson’s 12.0 sacks ranked behind Bonitto, Hutchinson, and Parsons.
Texans DE and Anderson’s bookend Danielle Hunter recorded 15.0 sacks in 2025. The five-time Pro Bowler was denied a fourth straight nod, but he did earn Second Team All-Pro honors. He also signed a one-year extension to leave himself on a two-year, $55.1 million contract.
Will Anderson Jr. Urged to Cash In
GettyWill Anderson Jr. #51 of the Houston Texans looks on before a game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Anderson is on a four-year, $35.2 million pact with the Texans, while Spotrac projects he is worth a deal worth $34.7 million annually.
CBS Sports’ Joel Corry, a former agent, urged Anderson to “have his cake and eat it too.”
“The Texans giving Anderson a new deal is a no-brainer,” Corry wrote on January 21. “Overall, the top of the edge rusher market increased by 36.76% in 2025. Despite 2025’s dramatic market reset, Anderson should try to have his cake and eat it too by becoming the league’s highest-paid non-quarterback (and edge rusher) eclipsing Parsons while also setting a new standard for overall guarantees on the shorter-term deal.”
Parsons inked a four-year, $186 million extension with the Packers following his trade from the Dallas Cowboys. That is $46.5 million annually, while the deal included $120 million fully guaranteed.
The Texans still have Anderson’s fifth-year option, which is worth roughly $26.6 million due to his multiple Pro Bowl selections.
That is already a $4.3 million increase that was baked into his current deal.
The Texans can also use the franchise tag to retain Anderson up to three times. However, Anderson winning DPOY would raise his final price tag. And even if he does not win this season, he clearly has the star power to garner such attention.
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