The Houston Texans hit the 2026 off-season with a lot of uncertainty. Would they fix the issues that plagued the 2025 offense? Would quarterback C.J. Stroud stay or go? What was general manager Nick Caserio going to do about the dysfunctional offensive line?
So far, Caserio has brought in a hose of solid free agents and set the team in a great spot for the upcoming NFL Draft.
Amidst the other lingering questions, it seems we’ve heard the answer to the biggest of them all? What’s going to happen with
elite EDGE defender Will Anderson Jr.? The player who sets the tone for the historically great defense. The player legendary Texans defender J.J. Watt gushes over every chance he gets.
When your head coach is Demeco Ryans, a stand out defender in his own right from his playing days, you listen when he talks D. When his words and passions are in lock step with Watt’s, it shows the importance of the subject.
Demeco Ryans
Will was the first guy we had in on a 30 visit & that meeting is still the best 30 visit I’ve seen.
Rumors are swirling that Caserio, with the full blessing of Ryans and the McNairs, is about to lock down a “market setting” deal with Will Anderson Jr.. This deal is allegedly going to make Anderson the highest paid defender in the history of the NFL. Now, these “highest paid” tags don’t seem to stick long as the NFL loves to toss them around as often as possible to chum the media waters. But in the case of Anderson, it’s well deserved.
For Houston to go from Watt to Anderson Jr. is a line of succession that cements their identity as a pass rushing franchise. Some teams are known for linebackers, some for running backs, some for quarterbacks. Houston is now known for pass rushers.
Players like Mario Williams, Jadeveon Clowney, Antonio Smith, Danielle Hunter, Ryans and Watt have all paved the way for that title. Now it seems Anderson Jr. will kick the door in and set it in stone.
With Anderson locked down, Hunter, Al-Shaair, Sting, Lassiter, Bullock and the rest returning, the 2026 Texans defense should improve on their 2025 lights out status. Rarely does a team get a second chance to run it back and do it right, but it sure looks like the 2026 Texans are ready to go next level on the NFL.
