How Texans just became the Hunter with their splashiest free agent move yet
THAT JUST HAPPENED!
12 March 2024
The Texans are signing one of the best pass-rushers on the market. Composite Getty Image.
The Houston Texans caught everyone by surprise when they traded for Joe Mixon on Tuesday. Well, it didn't take long for the Texans to top that move.
According to multiple reports, the Houston Texans are signing former Vikings pass-rusher Danielle Hunter to a 2-year, $49 million deal with $48 million guaranteed.
Danielle Hunter grew up outside Houston. Now, after nine seasons in Minnesota, he joins his hometown team on a two-year, $49 million deal that includes $48M guaranteed. Max $51M with incentives. https://t.co/wrSqyqkVx0
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 12, 2024
Hunter (age 29) is a 4-time Pro Bowler that played every game over the past two seasons. He recorded 16.5 sacks in 2023 with 22 quarterback hits.
Basically, the Texans traded pass rushers with the Vikings, as Jonathan Greenard signed with Minnesota on Monday. With the addition of Hunter and defensive end Denico Autry in free agency, Houston has a lot of flexibility on their d-line.
Defensive Rookie of the Year Will Anderson should be thrilled about this addition, as Hunter and Autry will attract a lot of attention on the opposite side of the line.
Plus, the Colts were rumored to be interested in Hunter. So not only do the Texans get him, but that also means the Colts don't.
Texans tackle Tytus Howard certainly likes the move!
Our DLine is crazyyyyyy
— Tytus Howard (@tyhoward71) March 12, 2024
It will be interesting to see how the Texans deploy their pass-rushers. NFL.com's Lance Zierlein believes the Texans can get creative with their alignments, with both Autry and Hunter joining the team.
I know the Texans will sit in nickel as their primary base package more than they won't, but Autry and Hunter give the Texans the ability to become more varied with their alignments as Autry can play 5T in a true odd-front look.
— Lance Zierlein (@LanceZierlein) March 12, 2024
Interesting...
Denico Autry can play base but with Hunter in Houston now, his role me be more as a sub-rusher inside. With Hunter, Anderson and Autry hunting the quarterback.... look out.
— Lance Zierlein (@LanceZierlein) March 12, 2024
Astros show signs of life in blowout win over Brewers
May 7, 2025, 3:25 pm
Framber Valdez pitched seven strong innings and Jeremy Peña homered and drove in four runs as the Houston Astros defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 9-1 on Wednesday.
Houston earned just its second victory in seven games to snap Milwaukee’s three-game winning streak and leave both teams with .500 records. The Brewers were attempting to sweep a series from the Astros for the first time since 2012.
The Astros led 3-1 before Peña broke the game open by delivering a three-run homer to left off reliever Elvin Rodriguez with two outs in the sixth inning.
JP3-run bomb. #BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/En0XXWdlt0
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 7, 2025
Valdez (2-4) struck out seven while allowing three hits, two walks and one run to earn his first win since the Astros’ March 27 season opener. He threw a season-high 101 pitches.
The Framchise is all business.#BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/J8EGGDk5gl
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 7, 2025
Milwaukee’s only run off Valdez came on Eric Haase’s fifth-inning homer, a 425-foot drive to center.
The Astros took a 1-0 lead off Quinn Priester (1-1) in the second inning as Jake Meyers hit a two-out single and scored on Zach Dezenzo’s double.
RBI double for Zach gets us on the board early! #BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/AilCY27A9d
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 7, 2025
The Brewers have lost all 13 games this season in which their opponent scored first.
Five-time All-Star closer Josh Hader worked the ninth while pitching in Milwaukee for the first time since the Brewers traded him in 2022.
Key moment
The Astros led 1-0 and had runners on third and second with one out in the fifth when Peña hit a bouncer to third.
Safe all day. #BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/OVjcvev7cM
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 7, 2025
The throw home beat Dezenzo to the plate. Home plate umpire Chris Conroy initially ruled Dezenzo out, but the Astros challenged the call and replays showed the runner slid home ahead of Haase’s tag.
Key stat
Valdez has now pitched at least seven innings an MLB-leading 57 times since 2020.
Up next
The Astros host the Cincinnati Reds on Friday. Scheduled pitchers are right-hander Hunter Brown (5-1, 1.67) for the Astros and right-hander Nick Martinez (1-3, 4.19) for the Reds.
The Brewers visit the Tampa Bay Ray on Friday. Left-hander José Quintana (4-1, 2.83) will pitch for the Brewers.
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