The Houston Texans have been proactive with securing their top players, and that includes one just entering his second season with the team in Danielle Hunter. Moreover, Hunter is poised to go back to the well with the Texans in 2026.
Hunter was the No. 88 overall pick of the 2015 draft. He spent nine seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, signing a two-year, $49 million contract with the Texans in free agency in 2023.
His strong performance in 2024 led to a one-year, $35.6 million extension in March.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano listed Hunter’s deal as the most “player-friendly” among EDGE rushers. The five-time Pro Bowler secured $48 million of his initial $49 million in guaranteed money at signing. The real kicker, though, is Hunter’s potential to get another extension in 2026.
Hunter recorded 12.0 sacks in his first year under head coach DeMeco Ryans.
It is the fifth-highest mark of his career, as part of a Texans’ effort that ranked fourth in the NFL during the regular season.
Insider Breaks Down Danielle Hunter’s Earnings
GettyDanielle Hunter #55 of the Houston Texans in action against the New York Jets.
Hunter received a $12.5 million pay raise from the Texans in the extension. Moreover, $31.5 million of his $32 million due in 2025 is guaranteed. He also has another $22.6 million fully guaranteed for 2026.
“The Texans got to this offseason and were looking at having Hunter under contract for one year and $19.5 million. Nice deal for them if they did nothing. But Hunter was coming off a 12-sack season and deserved a raise. With only one year left on the deal, the Texans didn’t want to risk letting him play out the deal and leave as a free agent next year, so they did an extension,” Graziano wrote on June 27.
“All told, Hunter will end up making $61.5 million in his first two years in Houston and a fully guaranteed $84.1 million over his first three. And because he was extended for only one year, another strong season by him would put Houston in the same boat next offseason of having to extend him again or let him play out the final year of his contract.”
Hunter’s deal with the Texans ranks second among EDGE rushers in total value, per Over The Cap. It is also seventh in total guaranteed money.
Texans Legend J.J. Watt Hypes Danielle Hunter
GettyDanielle Hunter #55 of the Houston Texans celebrates a sack against the Indianapolis Colts.
Hunter’s production has never led to an All-Pro selection, but it has not gone unnoticed. Texans legend J.J. Watt offered telling praise for Hunter during a recent visit amid the team’s offseason program.
“I think he’s been criminally underrated for his entire career. I’ve been watching Danielle my whole career, and he’s been playing at this level for that long,” Watt told reporters on June 11. “He’s a phenomenal player in the run and in the pass, he’s got multiple different moves, he’s extremely strong, but he also has these finesse, agility moves. This is who he’s been. I don’t know why the world is just kind of starting to figure it out.”
Hunter ranks fifth in sacks and tackles for loss since he entered the league, per Stathead.
He is 9.0 off the lead, held by Pittsburgh Steelers star T.J. Watt, despite missing the entire 2020 season with a neck injury and having a torn pec cap his 2021 campaign at seven games.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Pro Bowl Playmaker Earns Praise for Texans’ $35 Million Decision appeared first on Heavy Sports.