Everything Texans DE Will Anderson Jr. said following Day 1 of voluntary OTA workouts

USA Today

29-05-2025

Everything Texans DE Will Anderson Jr. said following Day 1 of voluntary OTA workouts
Here's everything Houston Texans Pro Bowl defensive end Will Anderson said following Day 1 of voluntary organized team activity workouts at the Methodist Training Center.
Q: On how it feels going into his third NFL season
Will Anderson Jr.: "It's crazy. I came out here all fired up and everything. DeMeco [Ryans] pulled me to the side and was like now it is about fine tuning those little things in your game. How precise can you be? How good can you be at taking the next step up? For me, it is just like when I am on the block using my hands better, getting off blocks, my escape when I am rushing the passer, am I reaching with position on the quarterback, can I get some strip sacks? Stuff like that, those are the things I want to work on this off season, this time during OTA's. Really just getting precise at those things and taking my game to the next level.'
Q: On his goals this offseason
Anderson: "Phase one, Phase two, Coach Rod [Wright] I think he has been doing an excellent job. We do these things called pro rolls, where we go back and look at all the tapes from last year. He has done a really good job of putting together a really good presentation for each one of us. For me, mine is just reaching for precision. After practice, or during practice when I am not in we are getting on the dummies, we are reaching, we are going through bags, bending the corner, reaching for precision, stuff like that. Just making sure it is muscle memory so that when you get out Sunday, you are just doing it.'
Q: On if one of his goals is number of sacks for this season
Anderson: 'Any double digits. My thing is, how much can I enjoy my process? When you fall in love with your process, how consistent can you be? I think that is something you can reach. Right now, I have to fall in love with the process, I have to keep doing my process the right way and be consistent.'
Q: On how the attitude of OTA's has changed over the year since he has been here
Anderson: "We are grateful for any guy that comes here. A lot of guys come, a lot of guys want to be a part of this. It just shows the type of comradery we have in the locker room. It gives everybody a chance to bond with each other and really just build good relationships by coming out here on the field, having fun, turn up, and make plays with each other. Throughout the years, more and more people start showing up, start having fun, and it has been awesome to see.'
Q: On his growth since being drafted
Anderson: "My coach has done a phenomenal job, Coach Rod. He has done great of just putting together a whole presentation for us of all the sacks we missed, the missed opportunities we could have done, hitting the ball the wrong way, hitting the elbow the wrong way, reaching too high, getting the penalty, stuff like that. We left a lot of sacks out on the table and that is why I am talking about going back and being precise. How good can you be at the process of attacking the throwing arm? How good can you be at taking the ball away? Getting good the strip sack? Picking it up, taking it to the crib? Those are the things we want to start putting into our bag. Finesse moves and things that can take our game to the next level.'
Q: On how the defensive line can help prepare OT Aireontae Ersery
Anderson: "He is a large human being. I think he is going to be really good for us. I am happy he is here. Just seeing him today going against our guys, very athletic, can move, can bend, and I am excited to see what he does and going against him. Just like Coach [DeMeco] always says, iron sharpens iron."
Q: On what he thinks is the next step for the Texans era and how he can help them get there
Anderson: "Just being more detailed, more focused, a sense of urgency. Now that we have been in some of these big games, we know what it takes to be there. It is about execution, it is about locking in, playing one game at a time, and everybody doing their job at the highest level possible.'
Q: On what he has seen from CB Kamari Lassiter and S Calen Bullock with their energy
Anderson: "It is fun watching them. They love football, they are passionate about it. You hear Kamari slapping his helmet. You hear Calen running to him. That is what you need on a defense like this. We play an attack-style defense, and we have two attackers in the backend that don't mind getting their hands dirty."
Q: On what he learned from Cleveland Browns DE Myles Garrett this offseason after working with him
Anderson: "We didn't really get into much of the passer rush stuff, it was more mentality and working out. It really all came down to mentality. I had a good mentality but working out with Myles and just seeing how he works and stuff like that it kind of changed my mindset a little bit. He doesn't worry about the outside noise, he is all about self-improvement, how much better can I get. It is really just me versus me. That is the attitude I am taking on, it is me versus me. You don't have to worry about anything anybody else says. How are you enjoying your process?'
Q: On if he guarded when he works with players from other teams
Anderson: "On no, it is very competitive. He is hilarious, he is a funny guy. It got very competitive, a lot of words were shared, and it just brings out the best in both of us. Myles is someone I look up to, obviously. I respect his game, he respects my game, and I can't wait to see him ball out this year.'