Micah Parsons' Immediate Reaction to Will Anderson Jr's Historic New Contract
Green Bay Packers defensive star Micah Parsons pushed to become the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history last offseason. The Dallas Cowboys declined to meet his demands, eventually trading him to Green Bay, where he secured a four-year, $186 million deal.
Parsons may have needed a change of scenery to get paid, but the Houston Texans made sure Will Anderson Jr. did not. In fact, they went even further.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Houston has agreed to a three-year, $150 million extension with Anderson, including $134 million guaranteed. The deal makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history, surpassing Parsons, and includes a no-trade clause.
Parsons appeared surprised, but supportive of Anderson.
"Omg, congratulations brother!! ," he wrote on X.
Omg congratulation brother !! https://t.co/XT9q2Bvdh0
— Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) April 17, 2026
The Texans selected Anderson third overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, just one pick after taking quarterback C.J. Stroud at No. 2. Since then, Houston has reached the playoffs in each of their three seasons together.
Anderson made an immediate impact, recording seven sacks, 22 quarterback hits, and 10 tackles for loss as a rookie, earning Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. He followed that with 11 sacks, 19 QB hits, and 16 tackles for loss in Year 2, then posted career highs with 12 sacks, 23 QB hits, and 20 tackles for loss while finishing runner-up for the 2025 Defensive Player of the Year award.
Most importantly, the 24-year-old has also delivered in the postseason. In six playoff games, Anderson has recorded eight sacks, three forced fumbles, and 11 quarterback hits.
Parsons, meanwhile, was just as dominant early in his career, posting at least 12 sacks and 23 QB hits in each of his first four seasons in Dallas. After the Cowboys exercised his fifth-year option following a 14-sack campaign in 2023, the two sides failed to reach a long-term agreement. Dallas ultimately traded him to Green Bay in exchange for defensive tackle Kenny Clark and two first-round picks.
The Cowboys' defense struggled significantly after Parsons' departure, while Houston appears to have taken a different approach. Shortly after exercising Anderson's fifth-year option earlier this month, the Texans moved quickly to secure him long term.
Anderson's extension, however, will not take effect until the 2028 season. He is set to play 2026 on the final year of his rookie contract, followed by his $21.5 million fifth-year option in 2027.
Related: Packers DE Micah Parsons Dealt Bad News During NFL Offseason
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This story was originally published April 17, 2026 at 2:15 PM.