Will Anderson is the NFL's highest-paid non-QB. Is he worth it?

Here's a breakdown of Anderson's deal with the Texans and why it looks like a good deal for both parties.

OT Tytus Howard: Traded to Cleveland Browns (previous team: Houston Texans)

CB Trent McDuffie: Traded to Los Angeles Rams (previous team: Kansas City Chiefs)

RB David Montgomery: Traded to Houston Texans (previous team: Detroit Lions)

WR DJ Moore: Traded to Buffalo Bills (previous team: Chicago Bears)

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2026 NFL offseason tracker: Player signings, trades

OT Tytus Howard: Traded to Cleveland Browns (previous team: Houston Texans)

1 / 4

2026 NFL offseason tracker: Player signings, trades

OT Tytus Howard: Traded to Cleveland Browns (previous team: Houston Texans)

2 / 4

2026 NFL offseason tracker: Player signings, trades

CB Trent McDuffie: Traded to Los Angeles Rams (previous team: Kansas City Chiefs)

3 / 4

2026 NFL offseason tracker: Player signings, trades

RB David Montgomery: Traded to Houston Texans (previous team: Detroit Lions)

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2026 NFL offseason tracker: Player signings, trades

WR DJ Moore: Traded to Buffalo Bills (previous team: Chicago Bears)

Grading Will Anderson's contract with Texans

The Texans are paying a pretty penny for Anderson's services, but it could prove worth it. Anderson has already blossomed into one of the NFL's best pass rushers and is coming off a hyper-productive season in 2025.

Anderson totaled a career-best 12 sacks in 2025 and notched 85 pressures during the campaign, per the NFL's Next Gen Stats. Only Detroit Lions star Aidan Hutchinson had more than him (89), but Hutchinson logged nearly 300 more total snaps than Anderson.

Anderson's pass-rushing prowess helped turn the Texans into one of the best defenses in the league. He captained Houston's stop unit, which ranked No. 1 in the league in defensive EPA per play and allowed 17.4 points per game, second-fewest behind only the Seattle Seahawks (17.2).

Anderson won't turn 25 until September, so his combination of youth, talent and leadership skills makes him a coveted commodity at a blue-chip position. That's likely why the Texans moved so quickly to lock him up for the remainder of his 20s and pay him a market-setting deal.

Even so, while Anderson's deal comes with a non-quarterback record of $50 million in average annual value (AAV), the total value of the contract – $150 million – is actually less than that of the only other pass rushers making more than $45 million in AAV, Micah Parsons ($188 million) and Hutchinson ($180 million).

With that in mind, Anderson's deal seems to be about on par with the current market. Sure, the massive amount of guaranteed money ($134 million) comes with some risk, but because the pact is shorter-term, the Texans will be protected enough from any pitfalls this deal could face.

It's also worth noting that Anderson has played in 52 of a possible 57 career NFL games (postseason included) to date. That includes all 17 of the Texans' regular-season games in 2025 as well as their two playoff contests.

So, all told, this looks like a mutually beneficial deal – and one that both parties can revisit down the line if Anderson continues to play at an All-Pro level.

Grade: A-

Will Anderson contract details

Below are the full details of Anderson's record-setting contract with the Texans.

• Term: 3 years
• Total value: $150 million
• Average annual value (AAV): $50 million
• Guaranteed money: $134 million

Will Anderson stats

Below is a full look at Anderson's stats across his three NFL seasons to date:

• Games: 46
• Tackles: 136
• TFL: 45
• Sacks: 30
• Pass defenses: 6
• Forced fumbles: 4
• Fumble recoveries: 3

Anderson has also added 17 tackles, 8.5 sacks, 8 TFL and 3 forced fumbles to his ledger across six career playoff games.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Grading Will Anderson's record-setting contract extension with Texans