Why Houston made the right call to give DE Will Anderson Jr. a 'deserving' extension
· Yahoo Sports
After his first All-Pro season with the Houston Texans, it became clear that the AFC South franchise needed to find a way to extend defensive end Will Anderson Jr.
Anderson, the former No. 3 overall pick in 2023, had consistently grown as a pass-rusher. In Year 1, he tied J.J. Watt's team rookie sack record en route to winning Defensive Rookie of the Year. By Year 3, he was considered the second-best pass-rusher behind only five-time All-Pro Myles Garrett.
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So, when the time came to give him a new deal, it was a no-brainer that Anderson was going to be locked up long-term. As the unquestioned face of the franchise, the Texans needed to ensure he'd spend the prime years of his career terrorizing quarterbacks at Reliant Stadium on Sundays, so money wasn't an issue.
The result? A three-year, $150 million contract extension, making Anderson the highest-paid defensive player in the league in terms of new money average. He received $134 million total guaranteed and a rare no-trade clause on a blockbuster deal.
Even if it seems rich, no one in the building is complaining.
“Will is an outstanding young man, outstanding player,” Ryans said Monday following the first offseason workout program. “He shows up every single day, working how we expect guys to work and doing all the things a leader does. He’s a guy that you want guys following.
“He embodies everything that it means to be a Texan and he’s definitely deserving of the contract situation that he’s gotten. He’s earned it and he’s done an outstanding job of leading.”
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.
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.
Anderson remains one of the best all-around defensive ends since being drafted out of the University of Alabama. In three years, the two-time Pro Bowler has recorded 30 sacks, 136 tackles, 46 tackles for losses and 64 quarterback hits.
The Texans will continue to build around their No. 1 defense and Anderson for the future, starting Thursday in the upcoming NFL draft. Houston owns eight draft picks.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Why Houston made the right call to give DE Will Anderson Jr. a 'deserving' extension