2024 NFL free agency: Texans agree to sign DE Danielle Hunter on 2-year, $49 million deal

The Houston Texans made their splash signing of the offseason.

The team agreed to sign edge rusher Danielle Hunter to a two-year, $49 million deal, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Hunter’s deal is worth up to $51 million in incentives with $48 million guaranteed.

Danielle Hunter has agreed to terms with the Houston Texans, to return home! 2-years, 49m with 48m fully guaranteed. Contract has 51m total max. Deal done by @zekesandhu @KlutchSports https://t.co/AvjNkqGE3f

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 12, 2024

The $48 million guaranteed is the most money general manager Nick Caserio has given out this offseason, but Hunter is a different type of acquisition.

Hunter, 29, made his fourth career Pro Bowl after he tallied a career-best 16.5 sacks in 2023 for the Minnesota Vikings. He has 87.5 sacks over his nine-year career after being drafted in the third round in 2015. Hunter led the NFL with 23 tackles for a loss this past season and added 22 quarterback hits.

It’s a homecoming for Hunter as well. He went to high school at Morton Ranch in Katy, Texas, about 34 miles southeast of Houston. Hunter went to school at LSU in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Hunter replaces defensive end Jonathan Greenard, who agreed to sign a $76 million deal to join Hunter’s old team on Monday. Now, Hunter will line up opposite NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Will Anderson Jr. He’ll also join fellow free-agent signing defensive lineman Denico Autry, who agreed to a two-year, $20 million deal.

The Texans mostly sat out giving out big contracts through the first two days of the legal tampering period. That’s now changed after the Hunter agreement and the Joe Mixon trade.