What Will Anderson Jr.'s historic deal means for Rams' star edge rushers

On Friday, the Houston Texans announced that they are signing star edge defender Will Anderson Jr. to a massive extension that completely resets the market at that position.

According to NFL Insider Adam Schefter, Anderson is now the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league with an average annual value of $50 million. The total value is $150 million, including $134 million guaranteed.

With Byron Young being from the same draft class and Jared Verse's extension right around the corner, here's how Anderson's deal impacts the way the Rams will address both players in the future.

Byron Young

Money-wise, this doesn't affect Young too much, as his market for a deal is closer to what Jaelan Phillips and company received, which comes out to $25-$30 million per season. On top of that, Anderson has a fifth-year option, which means this is more of a four-year deal than a three-year contract – assuming it's tacked onto his current contract.

However, the Rams have been handing out three-year contracts like candy, as it gives the team the financial flexibility to keep their core intact, while limiting bad long-term investments. It also gives the Rams time to negotiate another extension if needed. Young is 28 years old, and if he wants to stay with the Rams, a three-year deal like Anderson's is the best course of action.

How Young can counter is by demanding more guaranteed money. This is going to be a delicate dance, but there's now the framework for both sides to get what they want, so Young can stay with the team past this season. His contract expires in 2027, so this is the final year of his rookie deal.

Jared Verse

Anderson's contract also impacts Verse because he's likely to be one of the next top defenders to get a record-setting contract. If Verse continues on his upward trajectory, his deal could eclipse Anderson's for the highest guaranteed non-QB deal in the league. The bad news is that the amount keeps rising.

The good news is that the Rams also have a fifth-year guarantee for 2028, pushing the bulk of the extension down the road (if they wish), giving financial space to retain their defensive line of Verse, Young, Kobie Turner, and Braden Fiske.