(Image via Getty: Skip Bayless and Will Anderson Jr.)
From “Will Anderson is better than Micah Parsons” in November 2025 to “Does he [Will Anderson Jr.] flash off my TV screen the way Micah [Parsons] does when he’s flying around the edge? No” in April 2026 — Skip Bayless has come a long way.Let’s compare their stats: Parsons recorded 79 total pressures that included 14 sacks, 51 hurries, and 14 hits. He also recorded 19 solo tackles and two FFs. His overall PFF grade was 92.0, which ranked him 3rd among 115 qualified edge defenders.As for Anderson, he recorded 93 total pressures that included 13 sacks, 70 hurries, and 10 hits. He also recorded 28 solo tackles and three FFs. His overall PFF grade was 92.3, which ranked him 2nd among 115 qualified edge defenders.So technically speaking, the Houston Texans EDGE is better than the Green Bay Packers EDGE. Now, why the fuss? It all comes down to money matters. But shouldn’t high performance vouch for a high-paying job? That did not sit well with longtime sportscaster Skip Bayless.
Skip Bayless compares Will Anderson Jr’s contract to Micah Parsons ’ deal
“He [Will Anderson Jr.] actually got a better deal than Micah [Parsons],” Bayless said. “Because his deal’s just three years, and even though his guaranteed is $2M short of Micah’s, it’s $134M to $136M.
Micah’s is four years, so over four years Micah’s average annual is less now than Will Anderson’s at $50M.”Now, their contracts: According to Spotrac, Parsons, the 26-year-old Penn State alum signed a four-year, $186M contract with Green Bay in 2025, which included a $44M signing bonus, $136M in guaranteed money, and a $46.5M average annual income.In 2026, Packers DE will earn a $2.3M base salary, a $38M signing bonus, and $250K workout bonus while carrying a $19M cap hit and a $113M dead cap value.
The contract keeps him through the 2029 season.As for Anderson, the Alabama alum signed a three-year, $150M contract extension with Houston in April 2026, that included a $32M signing bonus, $134M in guaranteed money, and a $50M average annual salary.In 2026, the Texans DE is slated to earn a $1.14M base salary and a $4.4M roster bonus while carrying an $11M cap hit.
Patrick Mahomes , Daniel Jones , Matthew Stafford and Kirk Cousins contracts
After comparing their stats and contracts and agreeing that a massive blockbuster contract does suit Anderson, the prominent sports commentator introduced a comparison to NFL quarterbacks like [Kansas City Chiefs] Patrick Mahomes, [Indianapolis Colts] Daniel Jones, [Los Angeles Rams] Matthew Stafford, and [Las Vegas Raiders] Kirk Cousins, noting they are all earning less than Anderson at the moment.Expanding on this point, Bayless said, “Just for the record, there are a bunch of quarterbacks who don’t make as much now as Will Anderson. Starting with Patrick Mahomes, who took a hometown discount in Kansas City to make $45M a year; so, Daniel Jones, Matt [Matthew] Stafford, obviously [Kirk] Cousins, they’re down below Will Anderson.”According to Over The Cap, 31-year-old Patrick Mahomes earns $45M annually, 29-year-old Daniel Jones earns $44M annually, and 38-year-old Matthew Stafford earns $40M annually.
Kirk Cousins signed a five-year, $172M deal with the Las Vegas Raiders in April 2026, averaging $34M per year.
Will Anderson does not surprise renowned sportscaster Skip Bayless
Later on, the former ESPN host admitted that Anderson deserves a massive contract, but he just doesn’t surprise him much. “In the end, I think it’s money well spent on a young player who’s shown nothing but leadership in steady anchor impact for that defense,” Bayless said. “So, I’m good, he just doesn’t dazzle me.”This is mostly because Bayless favors Cleveland Browns DE Myles Garrett for the 2025 season.
Houston DE compared to Myles Garrett, Maxx Crosby , and Trey Hendrickson
“Put Will Anderson in the same sentence with Myles Garrett? I don’t think that way yet,” Bayless said. “I haven’t gotten there yet because he’s had 30 sacks over three years, and last year, he was first team All-Pro, but it was Myles Garrett’s year, right? He broke the record, 23 sacks, to Will Anderson’s 12 last year.And yet then I step back and look at it today, and I say that was a great move by the [Houston] Texans because he’s as legit as you can get without being flashy legit.
So, does he flash off my TV screen the way Micah [Parsons] does when he’s flying around the edge? Is he Maxx Crosby? Is he Trey Hendrickson to my eye on television? No.”“Does he ever grab you where you say — Oh, you see what Will Anderson just did there and there and there?” Bayless continued. “But then I look at the total impact that he’s had on that franchise, and they were barely second to you guys [Seattle Seahawks] in points allowed, their first yards allowed, and every year they just get better and better and better on defense, and they’ve made the playoffs all three years that he has been there.Won the first-round game, so they got to the divisional round three straight times with him as their defensive leader. So, in the end, the money is just going up and up, and he actually got a better deal than Micah [Parsons].” And we are back to square one.
