The Texans will concentrate on extending Will Anderson Jr. before the beginning of the 2026 season, but it would likely require a record-breaking AAV to achieve this. Albert Breer of SI.com observes the rapidly climbing contracts for edge rushers, and the author believes Anderson’s next deal will likely are available in at around $50MM annually.
This can be a staggering figure, however it’s not completely unfounded. As Breer notes, the market was first revamped when Nick Bosa inked a deal price a $34MM average annual value in 2023, topping the $28MM mark held by T.J. Watt. Maxx Crosby‘s deal boosted that AAV record to $35.5MM, but that was quickly jumped by Myles Garrett‘s $40MM annual earnings. Watt once more topped the list along with his $41MM average annual value, and Micah Parsons eventually set the present record along with his $46MM AAV.
Considering the $5MM jump from Watt’s deal to Parsons’ deal, Breer surmises that “it will be a stunner” if Anderson settles for anything lower than $50MM per 12 months. While the Texans could push against that record-breaking mark, Breer notes that the front office has shown a willingness to hurry up negotiations and complete extensions quickly, as they did with Derek Stingley Jr.. Plus, Anderson embodies “the usual as a employee and a player” that coach DeMeco Ryans seeks. If the Texans were going to back up the Brink’s truck for any individual, it will be Anderson.
The third-overall pick within the 2023 draft, Anderson has quickly established himself as one in all the league’s premier edge rushers. He earned his first All-Pro nod and finished second in Defensive Player of the 12 months voting in 2025 after tallying 12 sacks, three forced fumbles, 20 tackles for loss, and 23 QB hits. Pro Football Focus ranked him as the perfect edge defender in the game last 12 months, although he “only” ranked third on the position for his pass-rush ability.
While the Texans could also be wanting to hand Anderson a brand new deal, the optics may not sit well with their franchise QB. Anderson was the second of two-straight picks by the Texans within the 2023 draft, with the team using the second-overall pick on C.J. Stroud. It seems unlikely that the Texans might be as quick to increase the signal-caller, and assuming Anderson inks his deal, the situation could be “glaring,” per Breer. While Anderson’s next deal won’t necessarily price the Texans out of Stroud’s next contract, the team might imagine twice about paying the QB the $65MM or $70MM AAV he’ll surely command.