The Houston Texans are wasting no time making a major move ahead of the new NFL year. Could another big move be coming?
Houston has agreed to a one-year, $40.1 million contract extension with star defensive end Danielle Hunter, a deal that includes a $30.7M signing bonus, NFL Network insiders Ian Rapoport, Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero reported Thursday night.
The move comes just days before the NFL’s new league year begins at 4 p.m. ET on March 11, when teams can officially sign free agents and complete trades.
Hunter is coming off one of the best seasons of his career, recording 15 sacks, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. His performance nearly mirrored his 2023 season with the Minnesota Vikings, when he posted 16.5 sacks.
Danielle Hunter is a key part of Texans HC DeMeco Ryans’ defense
Hunter was one of the reasons the Texans’ defense was great last season (best in the NFL, 277.2 yards per game), leading the team in sacks — teammate Will Anderson Jr., also a defensive end, had three fewer sacks (12).
Hunter has had double-digit sacks in each of the past four seasons. Hunter’s 114.5 career sacks tie him for 37th all time with J.J. Watt, who starred for the Texans from 2011-2020.
In the 2025 playoffs, Hunter had two sacks against New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye. Anderson Jr. also stood out, collecting 3.5 in Houston’s two playoff games.
Having a tandem such as Hunter and Anderson Jr. gives the Texans an impressive one-two punch on the outside. Rapoport expects Anderson Jr. to get a contract extension, too.
Hunter’s new deal puts him in the stratosphere of highest-paid edge-rushers with Green Bay’s Micah Parsons ($46.5 million), Detroit’s Aidan Hutchinson ($45 million), Cleveland’s Myles Garrett ($40 million) and Pittsburgh’s T.J. Watt ($41 million).
Will Anderson Jr. break the bank, too? It will be interesting to see where he lands with the Texans over the cap ($305.9 million, per Spotrac) before Hunter’s deal. The salary cap in 2026 is $301.2 million.