The Houston Texans have been busy this spring, locking in their core for the foreseeable future. GM Nick Caserio has been aggressive in giving out lucrative, long-term deals to his key players to keep them in Houston.
First, Derek Stingley Jr. became the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history. Then on Wednesday night, the Texans made Danielle Hunter the second-highest-paid defensive end in the league. The one-year extension worth $35.6 million puts Hunter only behind Myles Garrett and keeps him under contract through the 2026 season.
With Will Anderson and CJ Stroud becoming extension-eligible in 2026, the Texans will have their most important on the books for years to come. There is, however, one more key defender that they have to sign to an extension before the start of the 2025 season.
Texans, DE Danielle Hunter agree to one-year, $35.6M extension making him the NFL's second-highest paid DE. (via @TomPelissero) pic.twitter.com/xYI98XxavV
— NFL (@NFL) March 19, 2025
Texans News: S Jalen Pitre Should Be Next to Get a Contract Extension
Houston's second-round selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, Jalen Pitre, is extension-eligible right now. Entering the final season of his four-year rookie deal, Pitre has done enough to deserve a lucrative, long-term extension.
Pitre suffered a pectoral tear in November and missed the final five games of the season and the playoffs. Before then, however, he was in the midst of the best season of his career. Despite a very productive rookie campaign where he had five interceptions, five tackles for loss, four pass breakups, and 99 solo tackles, Pitre also made a ton of mistakes. His tackling was a disaster, missing 35 tackles as a rookie.
In his third season, he fully came into his own, spending more time as a slot corner. He ended up receiving an impressive 73.9 defensive grade on Pro Football Focus.
With Stingley, Kamari Lassiter, and new acquisition CJ Gardner-Johnson, Pitre will continue to have a massive role in Houston's secondary. His energy and dynamism are valuable to this team, and it will be wise for the Texans front office to secure him long-term.