
Run it back: Liberty sign 'Big 3' to long-term deals
Liberty secure long-term deals for Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, and Sabrina Ionescu.
Will Anderson Jr. signed a three-year, $150 million extension with the Houston Texans, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. The deal is set to begin after the 2027 season, keeping him in Houston through 2030.
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Will Anderson Jr. isn't leaving Reliant Stadium anytime soon. According to reports, the Houston Texans and the All-Pro defensive end agreed to terms on a three-year, $150 million extension on Friday, making him 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. 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.
Source: Will Anderson is signing a three-year $150 million extension that makes him the highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history. The deal includes $134 million guaranteed. pic.twitter.com/tYNUR641oc
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 17, 2026 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. A former All-American at the University of Alabama, Anderson has defied nearly every expectation the Texans had when they traded ample draft capital to move up from No. 12 to No. 3 to select him after Pro Bowl quarterback C.J. Stroud. 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. Here's how fans have reacted to the news on social media: I’m sure many people said what we said on - “Will Anderson Jr.’s extension will make him the highest paid player (non-QB) & his AAV is gonna be $50mil .” And here it is.
Will Anderson Jr.'s new contract with the Texans is worth $150 million over three years.
The contract extension for Will Anderson Jr. will take effect after the 2027 season.
Will Anderson Jr.'s contract surpasses Micah Parsons' and Jaxon Smith-Njigba's deals, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
Before signing his extension, Will Anderson Jr. earned two Pro Bowl nods, an All-Pro honor, and was named the 2023 Defensive Rookie of the Year.

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— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) April 17, 2026 Obviously getting to the $50M per year threshold is a huge win for Will Anderson Jr, but arguably the even bigger win is this being only a three-year deal.
He will be able to cash in AGAIN at the age of 27. Rare to see a deal of this magnitude be just three years long.
— Anthony Rivardo (@Anthony\_Rivardo) April 17, 2026 The Texans and Will Anderson Jr. are in agreement on a three-year, $150M extension 🔥🔥🔥
Highest paid non-QB in the league, worth every penny and more… pic.twitter.com/8fMVAq6iId
— Nick Schwager (@nickschwager\_) April 17, 2026 🚨🚨 WAJ PAID!! 🚨🚨#Texans lock up Will Anderson Jr, on a three-year deal worth up to $150 million, the LARGEST non-QB contract in league history @MrColeThompson reacts to the news!
Listen to SportsTalk790 NOW for more reactions on the deal!!
Listen:… pic.twitter.com/clPU0pn5II
— SportsTalk 790 (@SportsTalk790) April 17, 2026 Getting a 3-year deal was imperative for Will Anderson Jr. - and he was able to secure that.
Houston did the same with Derek Stingley Jr. last year.
Big plus for players to get back to redo their contacts while they are still young.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz\_Report) April 17, 2026 pic.twitter.com/f1I9TmQRsZ
— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) April 17, 2026 TERMINATOR IS HERE TO STAY!!!
— Brian (@brian\_t97) April 17, 2026 pic.twitter.com/3xxoDAdPXP
— JESSE (With No “i”) (@Mr4thAndLong) April 17, 2026 Will Anderson Jr 2026 Defensive Player of the year odds are +800
He just signed an extension with the Houston Texans, 3 years $150 Million. Becoming the highest paid non-Quarterback in NFL history.
According to Next Gen Stats:
2025 QB Pressures:
— Joshua Blinder (@JoshuaBlinder) April 17, 2026 Omg congratulation brother !! 👑👑
— Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) April 17, 2026 Texans get it done early and Will Anderson Jr gets (rightfully) PAID. 🤑🤑🤑
— Cameron Demler (@CJD22K) April 17, 2026 Here is WIll Anderson with his “highest paid non-QB” title belt, standing with me and @ClintStoerner. Worth every goddamn penny. pic.twitter.com/sW8lyrminy
— Sean Pendergast (@SeanTPendergast) April 17, 2026 Happy for Will. A great guy who deserves every bit of this
Houston continues to show just how much they will reward their guys for great seasons, and they do it before the summer. Gotta be one of the healthiest dynamics in the league
— Nico (@elitetakes\_) April 17, 2026 Congrats to Will Anderson for securing the bag.
It's not a super team friendly extension though, it only buys out one season of FA on a record deal.
— Jeremy Branham (@JeremyBranham) April 17, 2026 Will never forget a good portion of draft media tried to tell us Tyree Wilson was better than Will Anderson.
Don’t overthink greatness.
— John Crumpler (@JohnCrumplerMD) April 17, 2026 Guess I shouldn’t have modified my $50m APY tweet from a few days ago
— Troy\_OTC (@TexansCap) April 17, 2026 *This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Social media reacts to Will Anderson Jr.s' mega-deal with the Texans*