Texans' Danielle Hunter agrees to 1-year, $35.6 million extension that makes him NFL's 2nd-highest paid DE
Danielle Hunter's big season for the Houston Texans paid off.
The Pro Bowler has agreed to a one-year $35.6 million contract extension that will make him the second-highest paid defensive end in the NFL, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. The deal reportedly contains $54.1 million in fully guaranteed money.
[Yahoo Fantasy Bracket Mayhem is back: Enter for a shot to win up to $50K]
Hunter, who signed a two-year, $49 million deal with the Texans as a free agent last offseason, had previously been under contract for one more season with a cap number of $23.7 million with three void years from 2026 to 2028. Hunter will now be paid $55.1 million over the next two seasons, with $32 million coming to him in 2025.
The deal rewards the 30-year-old Hunter for a strong debut season with the Texans, who ranked sixth in the league in total defense and tied for fourth in sacks with 49. Hunter had 12 of those sacks, along with 46 combined tackles, 17 tackles for loss and three passes defended. He received his fifth career Pro Bowl selection, as well as Defensive Player of the Year votes.
This deal comes after the Texans made cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. the NFL's highest-paid defensive back with a three-year, $90 million extension.
It is technically true Hunter will be the NFL's second-highest paid defensive end, though that requires some fun math. Hunter is not the second-highest paid DE by total contract value, guaranteed money or average annual value with his new deal. Myles Garrett, Maxx Crosby and Nick Bosa are all ahead of him in the latter.
All three of those players signed their contracts somewhat recently, with the value heavily backloaded on Garrett and Bosa's longer deals. Garrett's market-resetting four-year, $160 million deal only has a guaranteed salary of $2.25 million and a cap number of $21.9 million in 2025, per OverTheCap, while Bosa is due $30.6 million with a $20.4 million cap number.
Some contracts will pay some edge rushers much more than Hunter's $32 million, but not in 2025. So with those acrobatics, yes, Hunter will be the second-highest paid defensive end after Crosby ($32.5 million guaranteed salary, $38.2 milion cap number) in 2025. Welcome to the wonderful world of NFL contracts.
Topics
-
Source: Texans extend Hunter with $35.6M deal
DE Danielle Hunter and the Texans have agreed to a one-year, $35.6 million contract extension, a source told ESPN, confirming an NFL Network report.ESPN - 2h -
Danielle Hunter extension: Texans make veteran pass-rusher one of highest paid at his position, per report
Hunter's $35.6 million salary in 2026 will rank as the second-highest among all edge rushersCBS Sports - 8h -
Texans' Stingley agrees to deal to make him highest-paid cornerback in NFL history, AP source says
Derek Stingley Jr. has agreed to a three-year, $90 million contract extension with the Houston Texans that will make him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history, a person familiar with the deal ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Texans extend Pro Bowl DE Danielle Hunter on one-year, $35.6 million deal
The Houston Texans have a new deal in place for one of the league's top defensive ends following his breakout first season at NRG Stadium.Yahoo Sports - 9h -
Texans give Danielle Hunter a one-year extension
Hunter is now under contract through 2026.Yahoo Sports - 9h -
Sources: Texans' Stingley gets record deal for DB
Derek Stingley has agreed to a three-year, $90 million extension with the Texans that makes him the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history, sources told ESPN.ESPN - 2d -
Texans make Derek Stingley Jr. highest-paid DB in NFL history with $90 million deal
Texans CB Derek Stingley Jr. is the highest-paid DB in NFL history after blowing the top off the market with a $90 million dealYahoo Sports - 2d -
2025 NFL free agency: Texans, CB Derek Stingley Jr. agree to record 3-year, $90M extension
Stingley's $30 million base salary is highest among all defensive backs in NFL history.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Texans making Derek Stingley Jr. highest-paid defensive back in NFL history with 3-year, $90M deal
Stingley is coming off a first-team All-Pro season in 2024CBS Sports - 2d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Juju Watkins is officially an All-American once again
Watkins was named a first team All-American by the AP and USBWA before the 2025 NCAA Tournament.Yahoo Sports - 37m -
Former No. 1 overall pick says Commanders may be 'complete failure' in 2025
Keyshawn Johnson was so certain of himself saying how the Commanders could fail. Yet completely unaware...Yahoo Sports - 37m -
Heading to Wichita for the Texas Tech game? Here’s what to see and do while there
March has madness, and Wichita has plenty of wonder. Here are the must-do activities while you’re in town to see Texas Tech play UNC Wilmington.Yahoo Sports - 39m -
Mina Kimes ranks Broncos among teams who won NFL free agency
The Broncos are one of the most improved teams coming out of free agency, says Mina Kimes.Yahoo Sports - 41m -
Former F1 team boss Eddie Jordan dies aged 76
Eddie Jordan, the former Formula One team owner and current co-owner of London Irish rugby club, has died at the age of 76.Yahoo Sports - 46m
More in Sports
-
Juju Watkins is officially an All-American once again
Watkins was named a first team All-American by the AP and USBWA before the 2025 NCAA Tournament.Yahoo Sports - 37m -
Former No. 1 overall pick says Commanders may be 'complete failure' in 2025
Keyshawn Johnson was so certain of himself saying how the Commanders could fail. Yet completely unaware...Yahoo Sports - 37m -
Heading to Wichita for the Texas Tech game? Here’s what to see and do while there
March has madness, and Wichita has plenty of wonder. Here are the must-do activities while you’re in town to see Texas Tech play UNC Wilmington.Yahoo Sports - 39m -
Mina Kimes ranks Broncos among teams who won NFL free agency
The Broncos are one of the most improved teams coming out of free agency, says Mina Kimes.Yahoo Sports - 41m -
Former F1 team boss Eddie Jordan dies aged 76
Eddie Jordan, the former Formula One team owner and current co-owner of London Irish rugby club, has died at the age of 76.Yahoo Sports - 46m