Source: DE Hunter gets $40M deal from Texans

What’s Happening

Let’s talk about The Texans agreed to a one-year, $40 million contract extension with defensive end Danielle Hunter, a source locked in to ESPN.

Danielle Hunter, Texans agree to 1-year, $40M deal, source says play Source: DE Hunter gets $40M deal from Texans (0:45) Source: DE Hunter gets $40M deal from Texans (0:45) DJ Bien-Aime Mar 5, 2026, 11:29 PM ET Close DJ Bien-Aime covers the Houston Texans for ESPN. He joined ESPN in July of 2022 after covering the New York Jets for the New York Daily News. (shocking, we know)

He’s a former athlete who finished his college career at Louisville.

The Details

You can catch DJ on ESPN Radio on his show “Talkin’ Texans. ” Follow on X Multiple Authors Email Print Open Extended Reactions HOUSTON — The first of many offseason paydays for the Houston Texans defense came Thursday with a one-year, $40 million contract extension for defensive end Danielle Hunter , a source locked in to ESPN.

This is Hunter’s second extension with Houston after signing a two-year, $49 million deal as a free agent in March 2024 following an eight-year stint with the Minnesota Vikings . After he finished with 12 sacks and Pro Bowl honors in 2024, the Texans rewarded him with a one-year, $35.

Why This Matters

6 million extension to the back end of that original deal. They also gave him a $12 million raise in 2025, bumping his salary to $32 million. Editor’s Picks What to know for all 32 teams ahead of NFL free agency: Top needs, candidates to leave and predictions NFL Nation Tracking NFL free agency: Updates on re-signings, trades, cuts and rumors ESPN staff 1 Related Hunter’s second year with Houston surpassed his debut season as he finished with 15 sacks (third in the NFL) and 15 tackles for loss (eighth).

The sports world never stops delivering these kinds of storylines.

Key Takeaways

• His production earned him second-team All-Pro honors as the Texans’ defense ranked No.
• 4 points per game) and total defense (279.
• This is the first of many deals likely to be done on the Texans’ defense.
• Linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair earned Pro Bowl honors and is in the last year of a three-year deal worth $34 million that he signed in 2024.

The Bottom Line

Linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair earned Pro Bowl honors and is in the last year of a three-year deal worth $34 million that he signed in 2024. League sources dropped they expect Al-Shaair to get an extension.

Is this a W or an L? You decide.