2024 NFL free agency: Danielle Hunter, Texans agree to two-year deal worth $49M, including $48M guaranteed

The former Vikings edge rusher joins Will Anderson Jr. on Houston's defensive line

The Houston Texans have made one of the biggest splashes in free agency, signing former Minnesota Vikings linebacker Danielle Hunter to a two-year contract worth $49 million, CBS Sports HQ NFL Insider Josina Anderson confirms. A total of $48 million of Hunter's contract is guaranteed. 

At $24.5 million per season, Hunter will match Montez Sweat as the sixth-highest paid edge rusher in football. Nick Bosa ($34 million), Brian Burns ($28.2 million), T.J. Watt ($28 million), Joey Bosa ($27 million) and Myles Garrett ($25 million) are higher.

Hunter is coming off a season which he finished fifth in the NFL in sacks (16.5), as his six seasons with 6+ sacks trail only Khalil Mack from the most since 2015 (Hunter's rookie year). Hunter finished the 2023 season with 83 tackles, 80 pressures and a pressure rate of 13.4%.

Hunter's 87.5 sacks are the third most by any player in Vikings history, trailing only John Randle and Chris Doleman. The four-time Pro Bowl selection has consistently been one of the best pass rushers in football, and will be joining a pass rush in Houston that contains defensive rookie of the year Will Anderson Jr. 

The Vikings essentially moved on from Hunter by agreeing to terms with Jonathan Greenard on a contract Monday.