The Houston Texans have reached an agreement to extend pass rusher Danielle Hunter‘s contract by one year, worth $40.1 million. This follows a previous one-year deal signed last year valued at $35.6 million.
Hunter’s Contract Raises the Bar Among Defensive Ends
The new 2025 contract positions Hunter slightly ahead of Maxx Crosby, whose annual average is $35.5 million, making Hunter the highest-paid player at his position at that time. His deal also nudges past Myles Garrett’s $40 million yearly salary. However, the top earners among defensive ends remain Micah Parsons with $46.5 million, Aidan Hutchinson at $45 million, and T.J. Watt earning $41 million annually.
Career Highlights and Recent Performance
At 31 years old, Danielle Hunter is in his second season with the Texans. He recorded 12 sacks in 2024 and increased that to 15 sacks in 2025, a performance that earned him a spot on the All-Pro second team. This latest contract extension reflects the Texans’ confidence in Hunter’s continued impact on their defense.
