Danielle Hunter
Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
Over the offseason the Minnesota Vikings have spent an absolute boatload of money. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah went to town investing in his offensive line. He also spent money on the interior of the defensive line.
Last season it was the edge rushers where the MN Vikings brought in new talent. Similar to the decision they made on Kirk Cousins, they opted against paying big money to retain Danielle Hunter. He went back home to Texas and had a great year.
Danielle Hunter
Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Apparently that big year priced him out of his current deal, and now he’s making the Vikings decision look even better.
Danielle Hunter cashing in after leaving Minnesota Vikings
Last offseason the Houston Texans brought Danielle Hunter aboard on a two-year deal worth $49 million. At 30 years old, he rewarded them with a year that resulted in being named a Pro Bowl selection, and earning down-ballot Defensive Player of the Year votes. Now he’s cashing in.
The #Texans and Danielle Hunter have agreed to a one-year, $35.6 million contract extension that makes him the NFL’s second-highest paid defensive end, per sources.
Hunter will make $32M this season — a $12.5M raise — and $55.1M ($54.1M fully guaranteed) over the next two… pic.twitter.com/SR0UbySLse
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 19, 2025
The one-year extension is gaudy, and makes him the second-highest paid defensive end behind only Las Vegas’ Maxx Crosby. The raise is substantial and adds another year onto Hunter’s contract.
Related: Vikings O-Line Rental Lands Generous New Deal Elsewhere
Last season he started all 17 games, for the third year in a row, and racked up 12 sacks. He was coming off a career-high 16.5 sacks with Minnesota in 2023 but moved to a new defense. With the Texans Hunter also added 46 tackles, 17 for losses, and a career-best 23 quarterback hits.
Danielle Hunter and the Texans are racking up the sacks
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— NFL (@NFL) November 19, 2024
When considering the top edge rushers in the league, it’s hard not to immediately bring up Hunter’s name. For Minnesota Vikings fans, he was part of an elite defensive end talent that spans Carl Eller, Jared Allen, and Everson Griffen.
As the Texans look to take another step forward this season, DeMeco Ryans will need plenty of his top contributors to show up once again. Hunter has been a Pro Bowl selection in five of the six seasons in which he has started at least 16 games. He also has accumulated 99.5 career sacks.
MN Vikings value looking great on the edge
The Vikings sought an opportunity to spread money around when they moved on from Danielle Hunter last season. They found success in the form of Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard. That tandem combined for 23.5 sacks while each of them made the Pro Bowl and finished higher in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
Van Ginkel delivers a BOOM.
📺: #MINvsDET on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/hZuACnZB0K
— NFL (@NFL) January 6, 2025
This season the Texans will pay more for Hunter on his own ($32 million) than Minnesota will for their new tandem ($31.5 million). It’s beyond logical that Van Ginkel and Greenard could be looking for raises soon. It appears both would like to be in Minnesota long term.
Related: Vikings Linebackers Appear Committed to Minnesota
Van Ginkel really had a coming out season during his first in Minnesota. The 11.5 sacks were nearly double his previous career-high (6.0). He also picked off a pair of passes and took both back to the house.
Brian Flores has no serious need for edge rushing talent with Van Ginkel, Greenard, and youngster Dallas Turner. It’s great Hunter got paid, but Minnesota played this perfectly.
Mentioned in this article: Danielle Hunter Houston Texans More About:Minnesota Vikings