'A Big Part!' Why Texans' Playoff Win Led to Danielle Hunter Signing

The Houston Texans became a vital free-agency destination for Danielle Hunter after their Wild Card victory against the Cleveland Browns.

HOUSTON -- Danielle Hunter had nothing to do on a Saturday afternoon in early January. But instead of sitting around the house, Hunter went to NRG Stadium, where the Houston Texans held a Wild Card playoff game against the Cleveland Browns.

He sat inside the stadium astonished as the Texans took a 45-14 victory. Houston's defense led the way in the win, where the Texans recorded four sacks on quarterback Joe Flacco while registering a pair of pick-sixes.

He enjoyed watching his hometown team win its first playoff game since 2019. But as a player on the verge of free agency, the experience stuck with Hunter, who kept thinking about the team's culture and atmosphere.

Two months after attending Houston's playoff game, the Texans' Wild Card victory played a role in Hunter's decision to sign with the team as a free agent.

Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter (99) looks on during the game against the Oakland Raiders at U.S. Bank Stadium / Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

"They were out there playing together, the excitement, everybody celebrating for each other," Hunter said. "That hit me. During this process I was just thinking about that, just being home and seeing the excitement that they had. That played a big part of it."

Hunter signed a two-year deal worth $49 million, $48 million guaranteed, and his decision ended his eight-year tenure with the Minnesota Vikings. The All-Pro defensive end (2018) believed that the Vikings would bring him back, but the business of football started to get in the way. 

When going through the free agency process with his agent, Hunter revealed that winning and guaranteed money were his main objectives.

The Texans were willing to meet Hunter's demands while giving the Katy native a chance to play for the same team as former No. 1 pick Mario Williams, whom Hunter grew up admiring.

However, the chance to play for coach DeMeco Ryans was the final selling point. During Houston's postseason victory against the Browns, Hunter watched Ryans display his enthusiasm on the sideline.

“It’s an honor to come back and play in front of my family and all of the people I grew up with.”

Danielle Hunter on signing with the #Texans and playing for his hometown team. Growing up, Hunter said he was a fan of former No. 1 overall pick Mario Williams. pic.twitter.com/OXdAU4rn5z

— Coty M. Davis (@CotyDavis_24) March 14, 2024

The visual gave Hunter flashbacks of watching Ryans play alongside Williams during the mid-to-late 2000s. Not only would he get a chance to play for one of his favorite players in franchise history, but Ryans' background as an All-Pro linebacker intrigued Hunter.

"I like that he understands the players; he understands players and having them be able to go out there and play for each other as one unit," Hunter said. "He brings in the family aspect of playing football. It's not an individual sport. You've got to go out there and play for each other. That's one of the biggest parts about it, and he understands his players, what we need and what we want in order to be successful.

Hunter described his game as a player who can go after the opposing team's quarterback. He said the attribute has been in his DNA since the Vikings made him a third-round selection (pick No. 88) as a prospect from LSU during the 2015 NFL Draft. His description coincides with Ryans' defensive SWARM mentality. 

He recorded a career-best 16.5 sacks during the 2023 season. And since his rookie year, Hunter has recorded 87.5 sacks.

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On Jan. 13, Hunter left NRG Stadium impressed by what he saw in the Texans following their postseason victory. On March 14, Hunter returned to the site, stating how he could improve Houston's defense to get the franchise beyond the Divisional Round in 2024.

"I feel like the biggest thing about going into a football game is affecting the quarterback, and if you have a team that's able to affect the opposite team's quarterback, it gives you a better chance of winning the game," Hunter said.

"I like what we see here, what I see here with the D-line, and I'm able to add my attributes and skills to that to affect the other team's quarterback.”