Texans DE Will Anderson Jr. Finishes as Runner-Up for Defensive Player of the Year

The NFL honors happened last night, which is the league’s yearly award giving event that highlights the league’s very best, both past and present.

One very particular award that Texans fans were keeping an eye on was that of the Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award, seeing as though Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. was announced as one of the finalists for the honor.

During his 17-game season, Anderson finished with:

– 54 total tackles (35 solo, 19 assist)

– 12 sacks (T-eighth in NFL, fifth-best in AFC)

– 10.5 run stuffs

– 20 tackle for loss (T-fourth in NFL)

– 3 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries

along with:

Anderson, along with defensive end Danielle Hunter, helped establish one of the fiercest defensive lines in the NFL this season, along with being part of the greatest individual defensive season in club history.

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, Denver Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto, Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parson and Anderson all rounded out the final five, as each had a stellar year in their own right leading up to the awards ceremony.

Unfortunately, only one man can win the award. This season, Garrett took home the Defensive Player of the Year Award by way of a unanimous 50-vote first-place vote for the former Aggie.

His second win came as a result of breaking the all-time record of 22.5 in a season (previously held by Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end T.J. Watt). Garrett secured his record-breaking 23rd sack against the Cincinnati Bengals in week 18.

Acknowledging Garrett’s well-deserved accomplishment, Anderson himself came in second place with 177 points. He was the only vote-getter with over 100 points worth of votes outside of Garrett.

This caps off a three-year stretch for Anderson that includes a Defensive Rookie of the Year Award, two 11+ sack seasons in a row, a first-team All-Pro selection and now a runner-up finish for NFL defensive player of the year. The former third-overall pick is still only 24 years old.

Anderson is already building a resume for one of the greatest Texans draft picks of all-time (2023), while also being on track to finish his career as one of the three best defensive ends Houston has ever seen (J.J. Watt is the G.O.A.T. of course).

With his 2025-2026 season now in the books, attention now goes to a contract extension that will inevitably be record breaking in nature.

ESPN’s Dan Graziano predicted that Anderson will wreck the bank by way of signing a four-year, $176 million contract ($121 million guaranteed at signing). That’s roughly $44 million per year on average (That would be the largest contract dolled out in franchise history if that comes to pass).

This is in comparison with names like Micah Parsons, Aidan Hutchinson, T.J. Watt and Garrett himself who average:

– Parsons (Green Bay Packers): $46.5 million/year (league-high for edge rushers)

– Hutchinson (Detroit Lions) : $45 million/year

– Watt (Pittsburgh Steelers): $41 million/year

– Garrett (Cleveland Browns): $40 million/year

Do you think Anderson’s contract value just went up after last night’s second-place finish for Defensive Player of the Year?

What career accomplishment is next for the former Crimson Tide member?

Let us know in the comments section below, and by mentioning us at @Texans_RTB on X and @Texans.Roundtable on TikTok!

Texans DE Will Anderson Jr. Finishes as Runner-Up for Defensive Player of the Year

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