The market has flipped drastically for non-quarterbacks across the NFL. That much is known.
On Friday, the Houston Texans agreed to a three-year, $150 million extension with Pro Bowl edge rusher Will Anderson Jr., making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in league history.
Anderson’s contract resets the market not only for edge rushers, but also for the top non-QBs.
For the New York Jets, though, Anderson’s contract isn’t a warning shot. It should only provide more motivation.
The Jets effect
The most important positions in football are the same now as they were over a decade ago. Outside of quarterback, the premium roles that deserve the highest paydays are edge rushers, offensive tackles, cornerbacks, and wide receivers.
New York understood that when they gave two players from those positions large extensions last season. Wide receiver Garrett Wilson and former All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner each received four-year extensions paying them over $30 million per year.
Both agreements set a market value for ascending players.
Now, only one of those two players remains on the team. The trade of Gardner to Indianapolis midway through the 2025 season highlights the biggest issue with the Jets over the last few years: their ability to develop and retain superstars who can turn the organization around.
Heading into 2026, the Jets do not have any superstars who are complete game-wreckers when they take the field, like Anderson on defense or Justin Jefferson on offense. If Anderson walked into the Jets facility right now, he would arguably be the best defensive player the team has had since Darrelle Revis.
The Jets need to find players who are top three at their positions—the kind of unanimous star that organizations around the league are jealous of.
Then, the team wouldn’t have to worry about how much they pay their superstar. They would be situated to pay that star the money he deserves, no matter how lucrative.
Houston resetting the market with Anderson isn’t a bad thing for the Texans. It shows how elite some of their players are… and how far the Jets remain on that very score.
