J.J. Watt and the Houston Texans have agreed upon a six-year contract extension worth as much as $100 million.

The deal, which affects the final two seasons of his current contract and keeps him with the Texans through the 2021 season, will pay Watt a guaranteed $51.8 million, the most for a defensive player in NFL history. The $16.6 million annual value also is the highest for a defensive player.

He said in August that he hoped he had earned a new contract.

"With the new [collective bargaining agreement], I think one of the goals was to make guys earn their pay," Watt 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 has been widely considered the best defensive player in the NFL over the past two seasons.