The Houston Texans may be 0-4, but the one constant isAll-Pro defensive end Will Anderson Jr. terrorizing quarterbacks between the white.
The fourth-year edge rusher was already an elite presence along the defensive line, but he's taken his game to another level this year. Just months after signing a three-year, $150 million contract with $134 million guaranteed — making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL — Anderson has emerged as the favorite to win Defensive Player of the Year for the first time in his career.
The 25-year-old has 4.5 sacks through the first four games of the season. Last season, he finished as a runner-up to Myles Garrett. Garrett, a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, set the NFL single-season sack record
with 23 sacks, unanimously winning Defensive Player of the Year.
When asked who is the best edge rusher in the league, Anderson made his answer pretty clear.
"The best pass rusher right now in the game, the sack leader, I gotta give it to him, he broke the sack record, so Myles Garrett," Anderson told Texans Wire in an exclusive interview.
Anderson has no issue giving credit where credit is due to Garrett. Something Anderson could benefit from in potentially winning his first DPOY award is Garrett's long-term injury.
The All-Pro has been sidelined since Week 1 due to knee surgery and is currently on injured reserve. With no definitive return date yet, this pretty much eliminates his chances of repeating as DPOY.
But Anderson is only watching Garrett thrive off the edge. When asked which other edge rushers he looked up to most while growing up, Anderson brought the small-school wonder turned All-Pro for then-Oakland.
"I used to watch a lot of Khalil Mack," Anderson said. "Similar body types, a lot of speed to power. Had an unbelievable prime, a lot of respect for him. That's one guy that I watched a lot growing up when I got into playing defensive end."
A nine-time Pro Bowler and former DPOY, Mack currently plays for the Los Angeles Chargers and has three sacks this year. Over the years, the two have developed a bond beyond the game of football.
"I've seen him at a basketball game, we've talked after games," Anderson said of his relationship with Mack. "He has a lot of respect for me. I got a lot of respect for him, and just continuing to watch him on tape has been crazy because obviously watching him while growing up and watching him in my film study has just been great. It's been good any time we have a conversation. It's been positive."
During the 2026 season, Anderson is partnering with Mielle, which became the NFL’s first official textured hair care partner last fall. Anderson details why he takes his grooming and personal style very seriously, coming from a family with multiple sisters. One of his sisters is a hairstylist.
“We just did our first shoot together, and it was wonderful,” Anderson said. “It was really great. I got to have my sister on set with me, and it just gave everybody in the shoot it gave them a real-life look at how it is to take care of your hair. How it is to have a regimen, how me and my sister interact with each other. She’s guiding me through taking care of my hair, and it’s special for me because this is a time that I really get to build with her and also watch her live out her dream as a hairstylist.”
Anderson mentioned that he started taking his personal care seriously before his NFL career started due to his sister's influence.
“When my sister Riri, obviously watching her take care of her hair, condition her hair, shampoo her hair, put it in different styles, whatever like that, and just seeing how she walked out the house,” said Anderson. “She kind of pulled me to the side was like, ‘You’re gonna be in front of these brands, you’re gonna be in front of a lot of cameras, talking to a lot of people, and we can’t have you out here looking any type of way. Especially with you being our little baby brother, we gotta make sure you look presentable.
“At first I was you know a little against it because I’m like, ‘Men don’t do that, all this other stuff, I’m fine,'” said Anderson. “But it’s serious, you know what I’m saying? Because your appearance is everything, and I think it also gives you a really big confidence boost. I have a saying — when you look good, you play look good. But when you look good too, you also feel good to be able to speak well, to be able to go to these events, feeling confident.”
Anderson and the Texans kick off this Sunday at Nissan Stadium. The game will be televised on CBS.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: EXCLUSIVE: Texans' Will Anderson Jr. reveals who is best pass rusher in the NFL
