Will Anderson Jr. Shares Heartfelt Reaction After Securing $150 Million Deal

Texans pass rusher Will Anderson Jr. landed the highest non-quarterback salary in NFL history at $150 million for three seasons.

Will Anderson Jr. Shares Heartfelt Reaction After Securing $150 Million Deal

Texans' pass rusher Will Anderson Jr. (Image via BR Gridiron/X)

In Short
  • Will Anderson Jr. signed a record-setting $150 million deal with the Houston Texans.
  • He expressed surprise and gratitude upon learning about the contract while training in Dallas.
  • Anderson plans to use part of his earnings to buy a fishing boat, showing a preference for practicality over luxury.

When the Houston Texans drafted Will Anderson Jr., little did they know that they would have to break the bank to keep him beyond his rookie contract.

Coming into the NFL as a third-overall pick generally leads to such rich contracts down the line, but not everyone manages to earn it well before their current deal ends.

The Texans still had all the time in the world to negotiate his deal, as the Georgia native still had a year left on his contract. But they chose to do it early, which is why it caught him by surprise.

I was training down in Dallas. She (his agent) called me and said, ‘Whenever you get done, I need you to call me ASAP.’ My heart kinda dropped… I get home, she tells me everything, I literally drop to my knees, total thanks, like tears. Then I had to get on a flight the same day. I felt bad for the lady sitting beside me. She was probably so concerned about me because I was crying the whole flight.

Will Anderson Jr. told reporters

It is not that the pass rusher was not aware of the negotiations between the Texans and his agent, Klutch Sports’ Nicole Lynn. But it seems that neither did he expect it to be done so soon, nor the staggering amount he will receive over the course of the next three years.

The organization had just signed his fellow sack partner, Danielle Hunter, to a one-year, $40 million deal. That is why it came as a shock to football fans when the Texans handed Will Anderson Jr. an NFL record-setting deal.

Texans have played the long game with Will Anderson Jr.

Analysts and fans would wonder what the Houston Texans were doing earmarking $90 million to just two players. On face value, Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr.’s contracts would seem like a luxury the franchise could afford to be without.

Will Anderson Jr. with his family and agent
Will Anderson Jr. with his family and agent (Image via Aaron Wilson/X)

But what they have done is play the long game. It so happens that the 24-year-old’s $150 million deal does not start until the 2027 season.

By then, Hunter will be 32. Even if he stays healthy and continues to rack up double-digit sacks, the Jamaican-American will know that his time to earn monster contract extensions is likely over.

In fact, the Texans may have given him that big of a raise with the view of handing him a long-term deal next year, albeit with a much lower cap hit.

On top of that, having Hunter around will help Will Anderson Jr. continue to develop the way he has and lead them to a Super Bowl. That is probably why the franchise decided to hand both of them their new contracts this offseason.

Will Anderson Jr. wants to buy a fishing boat with $150 million contract

Usually, the idea is that the moment NFL players get their hands on such generational wealth, most, if not all of them, tend to splurge on luxury goods.

The only thing I guess Imma splurge on a little bit is a fishing boat. I’ma get me a speedboat. That’s it.

Will Anderson Jr. said

From this answer, it is clear that the Alabama alum does not want to throw away most of his money on luxury. A fishing boat means that it has a function attached to it.

Unlike most NFL stars and professional athletes across the world, Will Anderson Jr. does not seem to be interested in splurging on exotic cars, clothes, jewelry, or even a massive house.

Yes, he will be doing what is necessary, as most professional athletes are usually expected to drive around in luxury automobiles. But it seems Danielle Hunter’s humility might be rubbing off on his sack partner.

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