Will Anderson Jr.

HOUSTON — Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. agreed to a three-year, $150 million contract extension making him the highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history, two people with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Friday.

The people spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal had not yet been announced.

The extension includes $134 million in guaranteed money.

The $50 million per year Anderson will earn surpasses the $46.5 million per year defensive end Micah Parsons got when he signed a four-year extension with the Packers after a trade from Dallas last year.

Anderson started each game last season and had 12 sacks and 20 tackles for loss — both career highs — to lead a Houston defense that was among the best in the NFL.

The Texans selected Anderson with the third pick in the 2023 draft, trading up to nab the Alabama standout after selecting quarterback C.J. Stroud second in that draft.

In three seasons with the Texans, Anderson has piled up 30 sacks and 136 tackles, including 46 for loss. He also has 64 quarterback hits in his career and has forced four fumbles and recovered three.

The Texans exercised his fifth-year player option earlier this month so this deal will keep him in Houston through the 2030 season.

Orhorhoro traded

Atlanta and Jacksonville swapped underperforming defensive tackles selected in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft Friday, with the Falcons sending Ruke Orhorhoro to the Jaguars in exchange for Maason Smith.

The 6-foot-4, 295-pound Orhorhoro has 36 tackles, including 3¢ sacks, in 25 games since Atlanta selected him 36th overall two years ago. He played collegiately at Clemson.

The 6-foot-5, 306-pound Smith has 32 tackles, including three sacks, in 24 games since Jacksonville chose him 48th overall that same year. He played at LSU.

Neither guy had developed into a steady starter or an every-down player, so Atlanta and Jacksonville swapped them in hopes that a change of scenery might lead to better results.

Jacksonville also is expected to use one of its 11 picks in the NFL draft next week to add a defensive tackle, with the team looking for a long-term replacement for 31-year-old Arik Armstead.