Former Alabama star EDGE rusher Will Anderson has made good on the immense potential that led to him becoming the No. 3 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. The Houston Texans paid a premium to move up and take him, and that aggressive move has paid off for the franchise.
And now it's paid off for Anderson.
On Friday, Adam Schefter reported that Anderson had signed a 3-year, $150-million contract extension with the Texans that included a historic $134 million in guaranteed money. The deal makes him the highest-paid non-QB in NFL history:
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
Will Anderson is now the highest paid non-QB in the history of the NFL
Anderson's contract is the third biggest contract signed by a former Alabama player, behind only Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa. Hurts signed a $255 million contract with the Eagles that featured $169 million guaranteed. Tagovailoa signed a $212 million deal with the Dolphins, which featured $167 million guaranteed.
Anderson is one of the all-time great defensive players in Alabama history. While Bryce Young won the Heisman Trophy in 2021, Anderson was the best player in college football that year as a sophomore. The unanimous All-American racked up an insane 34.5 tackles-for-loss and 17.5 sacks in leading Alabama to an SEC Championship and a berth in the National Championship Game.
Since arriving in the NFL, Anderson picked up where he left off. He's racked up a combined 23 sacks and 36 tackles-for-loss over the past two seasons. He finished 2nd in the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year voting in 2025 behind only Cleveland's Myles Garrett.
Anderson is not only an elite pass rusher, he's one of the elite run-stuffers in the NFL, too. Per Next Gen stats and via ESPN, among defenders who faced at least 150 snaps against the run, Anderson ranked seventh in run-stop rate, third in run stuffs, and second in QB pressures.
The scary part is that he just finished his third NFL season and is only 24 years old. The league isn't ready for what he'll look like as he enters the prime of his career.
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