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DJ Bien-AimeApr 17, 2026, 01:32 PM ET<\/p>\n
Close<\/a>DJ Bien-Aime covers the Houston Texans for ESPN. He joined ESPN in July of 2022 after covering the New York Jets for the New York Daily News. He’s a former athlete who finished his college career at Louisville. You can catch DJ on ESPN Radio on his show “Talkin’ Texans.”<\/p>\n Multiple Authors<\/p>\n HOUSTON — The Texans<\/a> and All-Pro defensive end Will Anderson Jr.<\/a> have agreed to a historic three-year, $150 million extension that makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Friday.<\/p>\n The deal includes $134 million in guaranteed money, the source said.<\/p>\n The record extension surpasses the deal given to Packers<\/a> edge rusher Micah Parsons<\/a> after Green Bay acquired him from the Dallas Cowboys<\/a> in August. Parsons signed a four-year, $188 million contract extension that included $120 million fully guaranteed at signing and $136 million in total guarantees.<\/p>\n Editor’s Picks The Texans exercised the 2027 fifth-year option for Anderson on April 8 as doing so was a precursor to the contract extension. The third-year defensive end had 12 sacks (tied for eighth) and 20 tackles for loss (tied for fourth) last season.<\/p>\n Anderson’s advanced stats showed a difference-maker in the running and passing games. Among defenders with at least 150 run defensive snaps, he ranked seventh in run stop rate (12.6%), third in run stuffs (13) and second in pressures (85), according to Next Gen Stats.<\/p>\n His performance placed him second in Defensive Player of the Year voting behind Cleveland Browns<\/a> defensive end Myles Garrett<\/a>, who broke the NFL’s single-season sack record (23).<\/p>\n The Texans allowed the second-fewest points per game (17.4) and the fewest yards per game (277.2) last season, making their mark by terrorizing opposing Pro Bowl-level quarterbacks. The Texans forced the Los Angeles Chargers<\/a>‘ Justin Herbert<\/a>, Buffalo Bills<\/a>‘ Josh Allen<\/a>, Kansas City Chiefs<\/a>‘ Patrick Mahomes<\/a> and Seattle Seahawks<\/a>‘ Sam Darnold<\/a> into a combined eight turnovers. In those matchups, Anderson made an impact, totaling four sacks, six tackles for loss and a forced fumble (which he recovered in the end zone for a touchdown against the Seahawks).<\/p>\n In the Texans’ playoff win over the Pittsburgh Steelers<\/a>, the defense forced quarterback Aaron Rodgers<\/a> into two turnovers for touchdowns and sacked him four times. One of the defensive touchdowns was caused by Anderson having a strip sack of Rodgers that was recovered by defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins<\/a> to put the Texans up 17-6 in the fourth quarter.<\/p>\n Anderson’s agreement is part of a series of Texans extensions, with All-Pro defensive end Danielle Hunter<\/a> getting a one-year, $40 million deal and tight end Dalton Schultz<\/a> a one-year, $12.6 million extension. The Texans also made Ka’imi Fairbairn<\/a> the highest-paid kicker with a two-year, $13 million contract extension.<\/p>\n Anderson arrived in Houston in epic draft-day fashion in 2023. The Texans drafted quarterback C.J. Stroud<\/a> with the second overall pick then traded up with the Arizona Cardinals<\/a> to acquire the third overall pick and select Anderson. To move up, Houston paid a hefty price by trading the 12th overall pick, the 33rd overall pick, a first-round pick in 2024 and a third-rounder in 2024.<\/p>\n Since Anderson and Stroud arrived, Houston is 32-19 in the regular season with three playoff wins and two AFC South titles.<\/p>\n The Texans also picked up Stroud’s 2027 fifth-year option April 8. He too is eligible for a contract extension this year.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"DJ Bien-AimeApr 17, 2026, 01:32 PM ET CloseDJ Bien-Aime covers the Houston Texans for ESPN. 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