Report: Danielle Hunter, Texans Agree to 2-Year, $49M Contract in NFL Free Agency

Danielle Hunter is moving on from the Minnesota Vikings.

The four-time Pro Bowl defensive end is signing a two-year, $49 million contract with the Houston Texans, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The deal includes $48 million guaranteed and could be worth up to $51 million.

Hunter spent the first nine seasons of his career in Minnesota after being selected in the third round of the 2015 draft out of LSU.

The 29-year-old molded himself into one of the best defensive ends in football during his time with the Vikings, earning four Pro Bowl selections, a second-team All-Pro honor and a fifth-place finish in the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year voting.

Hunter caps off his Minnesota career with 87.5 sacks, eight passes defended, 11 forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, 462 tackles, 108 tackles for loss and 134 quarterback hits in 119 games across nine seasons.

The veteran was due for a big pay day after putting together a career year in 2023, and there had been questions about whether the Vikings would pay him. He notched 16.5 sacks, two passes defended, four forced fumbles, 83 tackles, 23 tackles for loss and 22 quarterback hits in 17 games.

It's no surprise the Texans landed Hunter, who grew up in Texas and will now lead a defensive end unit in Houston that also includes 2023 third overall pick Will Anderson Jr. and Denico Autry.

As for the Vikings, they will turn to Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard in the pass rush next season, though they will undoubtedly miss Hunter's presence.