Danielle Hunter, Texans Agree to $40.1M Contract Extension, Updated Salary Cap

Danielle Hunter is sticking around with the Houston Texans for at least a few more seasons.

Per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Pro Bowl defensive end agreed to a $40.1 million extension, tying him to the franchise through the 2027 campaign. The deal includes a $30.7 million signing bonus.

Following Hunter's extension, the Texans now have $22.4 million in cap space heading into the offseason, per OverTheCap.

Earlier on Thursday, the Texans converted $20.38 million of Derek Stingley Jr.'s $21.59 million salary into a signing bonus to get cap-compliant this offseason.

Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston noted that nickleback Jalen Pitre and running back David Montgomery are also candidates to have their contracts restructured, while wide receiver Nico Collins and linebackers Azeez Al-Shaair and E.J. Speed could get extensions this offseason.

The 31-year-old Hunter was previously the fifth-highest-paid edge rusher in the NFL, but he'll now move up to fourth, just above Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett.

Hunter, a third-round draft pick in 2015, landed in Houston two years ago after a trade from the Minnesota Vikings, and it's been nothing but positive thus far. He logged 46 tackles and 12 sacks in 2024 before picking up 54 tackles and 15 sacks, the third-most in the NFL, in 2025. He also added three forced fumbles and three passes defended last season.

Last offseason, he inked a $35.6 million contract extension, a deal that proved to be worthwhile.

Hunter helped anchor a Texans defense that allowed the fewest yards per game (277.2) and the second-fewest points per game (17.4). That stout defense led Houston to win its last nine games of the season to make the playoffs for a third consecutive season.

The Texans also won their wild-card matchup for a third straight year before falling to the New England Patriots in the divisional round.