Pro Bowl defensive end Danielle Hunter will be back in Houston for another year.
The Texans and Hunter agreed to terms on a one-year, $40.1 million extension that includes a $30.7 million signing bonus, NFL Network reported Thursday night.
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The deal keeps Hunter with the Texans through 2027.
Defensive end Danielle Hunter (55) celebrates after sacking Justin Herbert during the first half of the Texans’ win over the Chargers on Dec.. 27, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. AP
Hunter, 31, made the jump to Houston in 2024 after spending the first eight seasons of his NFL career with the Vikings.
He signed a two-year, $49 million deal as a free agent and then he signed a one-year, $35.6 million extension during the offseason in 2025.
Hunter, who has been a Pro Bowler five times in his career, is coming off a season where he had 54 tackles, 15 sacks, 15 tackles for loss and 22 quarterback hits as Houston’s defense allowed the fewest yards per game (277.2) and ranked second in points yielded (17.4) in the NFL.
He started all 17 games for the Texans, while also recording three forced fumbles and three passes defended.
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Rod Wright, the Texans’ defensive line coach, praised Hunter’s play in an interview with KPRC2 last season.
Danielle Hunter (55) sacks and forces Drake Maye to fumble, which the Patriots recovered, during the first half of the Texans’ AFC divisional round loss on Jan. 18, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. AP
“He’s also physical and relentless, but a little bit more methodical, a little bit more unorthodox,” Wright said. “Hard to guess what he’s going to do from play to play when it comes to rushing. Both are very disciplined when it comes to the run game. And both guys obviously present a challenge to any opposing lineman they’re going against.
“With D-Hunt, he’s been there, done that. Seen it all, doesn’t overreact to anything. Very calm demeanor, kind of the Yin and Yang type of deal. Both have a presence about them, but it’s very different. Don’t sleep on Danielle’s personality. Really funny guy, likes to have fun as well. Got to behind closed doors, though. If you don’t really know him, he’s kind of a more reserved type of guy.”
Hunter has 114.5 sacks and 562 tackles in his 10-year career.
