Will Anderson Jr. Interview: Pass-Rush Arsenal Has 'Evolved'

Houston Texans EDGE Will Anderson Jr. is the reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year. A weekly difference-maker, Anderson Jr. has recorded 2.5 sacks for the 4-1 AFC South-leading Texans. He is their best and most productive player on defense. The former Alabama standout is a legitimate sack artist with 13 career sacks already under his belt.

Anderson Jr. recently spoke exclusively with The Draft Network while discussing his partnership with Campbell's Chunky and their Chunky Sacks Hunger relief program. Anderson Jr. discussed Sunday's thrilling win over the Buffalo Bills, his evolving pass-rush arsenal, watching 2025 NFL Draft quarterback prospect Jalen Milroe at his alma mater, and more.

JM: You're here at The Houston Food Bank fighting food inequality on behalf of Campbell's Chunky and the Chunky Sacks Hunger relief program. Why is this cause so important to you and your family?

Will Anderson Jr.: It’s super important to me because I’m all about giving back to the community. There’s a lot going on right now with us experiencing some difficult weather in different parts of our country. It means we have even more citizens in need and the circumstances are dire.

It’s creating more hungry mouths and people in need. That inspires me to take initiative and help give back. The Chunky Sacks Hunger program is giving out 1,000 meals for every sack. It’s an awesome program. 

I have 2.5 sacks this season, so it feels great to know I’m contributing to the cause. It also helps us make an impact both on and off the field. 

JM: What a thrilling win over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. After the close call against Jacksonville and the disappointing loss to Minnesota, did you feel like you needed that one?

Will Anderson Jr.: Yeah, we most definitely felt that way. It was a game that had a playoff-like atmosphere. We came out there with great energy. We were ready for that game, for that moment.

Guys were flying around and playing with an aggressive mentality. We had a lot of fun and we were thrilled to pull out a late victory.

JM: You're the reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year and you already have 2.5 sacks this season as well, as you said earlier. How has your pass-rush arsenal evolved from last season?

Will Anderson Jr.: I actually think it’s evolved a lot. I think the biggest thing was for me to start getting better extension at the top of my rush. I had to start making sure I wasn’t getting held up at the top of my rush.

I feel like I’m doing a better job of that nowadays. I’m getting that extension and now it’s just about finishing at the quarterback. The sacks are going to come for our entire defensive line. We just have to keep chopping wood.

Everybody is doing a great job winning their one-on-one matchups up front. We’re putting some good pass-rushing reps on film. If these quarterbacks just start holding onto the ball a little bit longer, we’re going to start getting those sacks in bunches. I believe in our ability to finish at the quarterback.

JM: There’s no doubt about that. Of all your sacks, do you have a favorite?

Will Anderson Jr.: My first career sack came against Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens. That one was pretty special. That was one to remember, man. It was definitely a tough one because he’s so difficult to bring to the ground.

JM: You have a couple of rookies contributing in the secondary in Calen Bullock and Kamari Lassiter. Being a sophomore who understands what it takes to make a rookie impact, what have you seen from those guys early on?

Will Anderson Jr.: Their competitive nature has really stood out to me. They don’t approach every day like rookies. They go about their business like the veterans do. They study the game and approach practice with a very serious demeanor.

The results are popping up on Sundays because they’re willing to put the work in throughout the week.

JM: Did you enjoy ribbing Lassiter after the Alabama win over Georgia?

Will Anderson Jr.: Oh, of course I did (laughs). He came in on Friday all dressed up in his Georgia gear. I was like bro, what are you doing right now? (laughs). He had a Georgia bucket hat on with his Georgia jogging pants and windbreaker. 

I didn’t get to make fun of him on Sunday the day after the game because we had a game of our own, but I definitely gave him the crap the entire week from Monday onward (laughs). 

JM: We love that. What are your thoughts on the way Jalen Milroe is playing QB for Alabama this season? He’s balling out right now.

Will Anderson Jr.: I think he’s doing an awesome job. To see his growth from when he was a young guy when I was still at Alabama to now, it’s been amazing. He’s taken a huge jump. He looks way more relaxed and calm in the pocket. He’s extremely accurate.

What makes him so dangerous is his escapability in the pocket. He’s able to use his legs and make chunk plays. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Jalen Milroe for the rest of this season. I know he’s going to kill it.

JM: We've appreciated your time today. Thank you for all the amazing work you’re doing in the community with Chunky Sacks Hunger. What are your goals for the rest of this season?

Will Anderson Jr.: We’re going to keep chopping wood while taking it one game at a time. My teammates and I, we’re having a blast right now. We’re winning games, which is incredibly difficult to do in the National Football League.

We want to keep winning ball games because we respect how difficult that is. I think we’re doing a great job. We just want to keep moving forward on the path we’ve been on.