HOUSTON – The Houston Texans have secured a key piece of their defense, agreeing to a one-year contract extension with defensive end Danielle Hunter, the team announced Thursday. The deal is worth $40.1 million, according to sources cited by NFL Network, ESPN, and the Houston Chronicle.
Hunter, 31, enjoyed a productive 2025 season, registering 54 combined tackles, 15 sacks, three forced fumbles, three passes defensed, and a fumble recovery. His performance comes after a one-year, $35.6 million contract in March 2025. He was slated to become a free agent in 2027.
The Texans acquired Hunter after he spent the previous eight seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, who originally drafted him in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft. Hunter recorded a career-high 16.5 sacks in 2023, his final season in Minnesota. He has registered at least 10.5 sacks in eight of his nine full NFL seasons.
Despite missing 10 games in 2021 due to a torn pectoral muscle, Hunter has proven to be a consistent pass rusher. The five-time Pro Bowl selection now ranks fourth among pass rushers in average salary, behind Micah Parsons, Aidan Hutchinson, and T.J. Watt. Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett ranks fifth at $40 million.
The extension signals the Texans’ commitment to bolstering their defensive line as they aim to build on their recent success.
