Will Anderson Jr. was paid big-time for his breakout season last fall with the Houston Texans, but he’s not the only person celebrating the deal.
Anderson, who inked a three-year, $150 million extension on Friday, now becomes the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. The deal is expected to kick in after the 2027 season, thus keeping Anderson in Houston through 2030.
Initially, the highest-paid pass-rusher was Green Bay Packers star Micah Parsons, who secured a four-year, $186 million deal after his trade from the Dallas Cowboys to the NFC North franchise. Consistently, Parsons has been viewed as the next great defensive player in the league behind All-Pro Myles Garrett, but even he tipped his cap to see how much the former No. 3 overall pick was earning, showing support of the mega deal.
“Omg, congratulations brother!! ,” the All-Pro wrote on X Friday.
Entering the offseason, Anderson remained the team’s top priority after a stellar third year under head coach DeMeco Ryans’ scheme. As the face of the franchise, the former No. 3 overall pick finished top 10 in pressures, QB hits, sacks (12), and tackles for loss (20) while anchoring the No. 2-ranked total defense opposite Pro Bowler Danielle Hunter.
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.
In just three NFL seasons, Anderson already earned two Pro Bowl nods, an All-Pro honor and was named the 2023 Defensive Rookie of the Year while recording 30 sacks, 46 tackles for losses, three fumble recoveries and 64 quarterback hits.
Parsons, who’s coming off a torn ACL suffered last season, has followed a similar arch to Anderson. In four seasons, he’s compiled over 48 sacks and 80 tackles for losses, including posting at least 12 sacks and 23 QB hits in each of his first four seasons in Dallas.
The Texans own the No. 28 pick on Thursday night in the NFL draft.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Micah Parsons reacts to Texans’ DE Will Anderson Jr.’s mega-extension
Reporting by Cole Thompson, Texans Wire / Texans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
