NFL's Top Defensive Salaries and Texans' 2026 Win Odds

The NFL’s highest‑paid defensive players for the upcoming 2026 season were listed by average annual value (AAV). Linebacker/edge Will Anderson Jr. of the Houston Texans leads with a $50 million AAV after signing a three‑year, $150 million extension, becoming the first defender to average that amount. Behind him are Micah Parsons ($46.5 M, Green Bay Packers), Aidan Hutchinson ($45 M, Detroit Lions), Myles Garrett ($41.6 M, Los Angeles Rams), and T.J. Watt ($41 M, Pittsburgh Steelers).

The Houston Texans, whose defense ranked No.​1 last season, finished 2025 with a 12‑5 record, highlighted by a nine‑game winning streak and a strong playoff showing despite a loss to the New England Patriots. Quarterback C. J. Stroud, a 9‑5 starter, posted 3,041 passing yards, 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions. For the 2026 campaign, betting markets have set the over/under win total at 9.5, with the Texans favored as the AFC South favorite (+110) and long‑shot contenders for the AFC title (+850) and Super Bowl (+1800).