Texans, DE Danielle Hunter agree to $40.1 million contract extension: Reports

The Houston Texans and defensive end Danielle Hunter have agreed to a one-year, $40.1 million contract extension, which includes a $30.7 million signing bonus, according to multiple reports.

Hunter — entering his age-32 season — was already set to be in Houston for a third consecutive season after signing with the Texans on a two-year, $49 million deal in free agency two years ago and a one-year, $35.6 million extension last spring, which was set to expire after 2026. He’s now under contract through 2027. The extension currently makes Hunter the league’s fourth-highest paid edge rusher in 2026, surpassing Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett’s $40 million AAV.

Hunter, a five-time Pro Bowl selection and Houston-area native, enters 2026 with four consecutive seasons of double-digit sacks, including 15 last season. He and fourth-year star Will Anderson Jr. have given the Texans a formidable edge rushing duo, with Anderson notching 12 sacks alongside Hunter last season. Anderson is extension-eligible this offseason.

Hunter is sixth on the active sack leaders list with 114.5 through 10 seasons.