JJ Watt signs six-year $100m contract extension with the Houston Texans

Watt becomes the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL

JJ Watt (Gewtty Images)

The Houston Texans have made defensive end JJ Watt the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL.

The Texans handed the 2012 Defensive Player of the Year a new six-year, $100million contract extension with $51.8m of that guaranteed.

It eclipses the previous high of $96m the Buffalo Bills handed Mario Williams as a free agent in 2011.

Watt, the 11th pick in the 2011 draft, speaking last month said that he hoped his supreme pay had earned him a new deal.

"With the new [collective bargaining agreement], I think one of the goals was to make guys earn their pay," he said. "No more big paydays up front. Make guys go out there and play, show that they've earned it.

"So I think when a team gives a big contract after the third year, they're saying, 'Listen, we think you've earned this.' I don't know if [the Texans] feel that way or not, but I sure hope I've put in all the work, and I've put in everything I can do to hopefully earn it."

Watt is widely regarded as the best defender in the league and irreplaceable.

After recording 69 tackles, 20.5 sacks and 16 pass deflections in 2012, Watt had a down year last year with just 65 tackles, 10.5 sacks and seven deflections with most opponents opting to double team the dominant defensive end.

But the Texans decided to select another defensive end, Jedeveon Clowney with the first pick of this summer's draft, giving Houston a dangerous one-two punch.

Pundits expect the Texans to vastly improve their 2-14 record from last season.