NFL insider predicts Texans ink long-term deal with Will Anderson Jr.

Most teams believe signing a franchise quarterback in the offseason is a priority. Should it be that way for the Houston Texans with Pro Bowler C.J. Stroud and defensive end Will Anderson Jr. up for new deal entering 2026?

According to one report, the latter might be extended first after a second All-Pro-caliber season off the edge.

The Athletic's Dianna Russini recently discussed several topics to monitor entering the end of the regular season. Among them was Houston's plan to build around both Stroud and Anderson once their rookie contracts expire.

Stroud should be paid and likely will be by the front office before he enters the final year of his rookie deal in 2027. As for Anderson, Russini believes the Texans' focus right now is to get him locked up once the regular season ends.

"The Houston Texans’ defense might be the best in football right now, and a lot of that is thanks to Will Anderson Jr. Expect Houston and the third-year edge rusher to get right to a contract extension once the season wraps," Russini said.

Anderson's pathway to elite play stems from a steady incline rather than a rapid growth followed by a plateau like Stroud. After breaking J.J. Watt's rookie sack record in 2023, Anderson picked up the slack, totaling 11 sacks in 2024 while helping Houston reach the postseason for a second straight year.

This season, the former No. 3 overall pick is just one sack shy of surpassing his career-high in sacks with six games remaining. Not only does Anderson rank top five in sacks with 10.5, but his 16 tackles for loss and 48.6 percent pressure rate also are among the league's top 10. Fellow defensive end and teammate Danielle Hunter also ranked top-five in all three categories, including having a half-sack lead over the former Alabama star entering Week 13's matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.

The Texans remain in the hunt for a third consecutive division title because of their defense. Entering Sunday's matchup at Lucas Oil Stadium, Houston ranks in the top five in nearly every category, including No. 1 in total yards (264.3) and scoring (16.5 points per game). The Texans also rank sixth in sacks with 33, 22.5 of which have come from Anderson and Hunter.

Signing Stroud needs to be on Houston's to-do list this offseason before the market creates an overpay due to other contracts. Locking up Anderson needs to be considered a priority and the first order of business for Nick Caserio and company ahead of free agency.

This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans: Will Anderson Jr. expected to be first extended this offseason