Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. did not mince any words after the 2025 season came to an unfortunate end in the AFC Divisional Playoffs against the New England Patriots.
The former No. 3 overall pick wants to be with the Texans for his entire career.
To that end, the Texans have several critical roster decisions to make this offseason. Few are as pressing as planning for a future with Anderson, though, a two-time Pro Bowler, former Defensive Rookie of the Year, and a first-time First Team All-Pro in 2025.
Texans’ Will Anderson Jr. Receives Encouraging Update
GettyWill Anderson Jr. #51 of the Houston Texans celebrates a sack against the Los Angeles Chargers in the AFC Wild Card Playoffs.
Texans general manager Nick Caserio met with the media to recap the 2025 season and set the stage for the 2026 offseason. Anderson’s future was among the various topics the executive covered on the day.
Caserio fielded a question about Anderson after addressing quarterback C.J. Stroud, whom the Texans selected one slot earlier in the 2023 draft.
Caserio gave a “similar answer” regarding both players.
“We’ll kind of take it case-by-case. Will’s a good player. We drafted him because we thought he was a good player. And he’s been a good player, and he’s improved each year. So again, there’s never a linear path on any of this. So, I’m sure you guys would be calling the agents all the time asking what the hell is going on,” Caserio told reporters on January 21.
“We’ll, kind of, take it one day at a time, and try to figure out what makes the most sense for the organization.”
The Texans could use the fifth-year option on Anderson’s rookie-scale contract.
“There’s some things there business wise I’m sure we’ll look at and discuss,” Caserio said. ”That’s kind of what the offseason is about. So, there’s a timing element that’s involved in some of that. So, kind of work through it here, I’m sure, throughout the course of the spring.”
Anderson offered no uncertain terms on how he feels about the Texans or his future as the offseason arrives earlier than they hoped.
Will Anderson Jr. Makes Feelings Clear
GettyWill Anderson Jr. #51 of the Houston Texans reacts against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Anderson spoke candidly with reporters as the Texans players cleaned out their lockers for the final time this season.
“Most definitely. Of course, I want to be in my whole career. I love the Texans. I love everything about them. They traded up and got me, man. But yeah, I don’t really like to [discuss contract talks], because all these things,” Anderson told reporters on January 19.
“Of course, I would love to be here, man. And if it’s in God’s will to happen, it will happen.”
KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson wrote on January 2 that “The Texans and Anderson are expected to negotiate this offseason in what should be one of the more expensive undertakings in franchise history. Anderson could command an annual compensation in excess of $40 million annually and as high as the $45 million range as one of the elite defenders in the league.
“According to Next Gen Stats, Anderson finished with the second-most quarterback pressures in the NFL with 85 and the third-highest pressure rate, a 20.5 percent clip. He also set the NFL record for most third-down pressures with 48 in a single season in the Next Gen Stats era.”
Waiting could just end up costing the Texans more money in the long run with Anderson. He has already been everything they bargained for and more since arriving.
Texans’ Will Anderson Jr. Gets Significant News After Strong Comments