Texans' Will Anderson Jr. 'Excited' for Free Agency Signing of Danielle Hunter

Houston Texans' defensive end Will Anderson Jr. expresses excitement following the free agency signing of Danielle Hunter.

AFC Wild Card Playoffs - Cleveland Browns v Houston Texans / Tim Warner/GettyImages

HOUSTON -- Houston Texans' Will Anderson Jr. spend his rookie season creating havoc alongside Jonathan Greenard. The results led to the duo accounting for 19.5 sacks and appeared on the verge of forming a dynamic pairing under coach DeMeco Ryans for years to come.

Unfortunately, the duo lasted for one season. Greenard departed from the Texans at the start of free agency. Greenard signed a three-year, $72.0 million deal to join the Minnesota Vikings, and his departure led to the Texans pairing Anderson with All Pro defensive end Danielle Hunter.

AFC Wild Card Playoffs - Cleveland Browns v Houston Texans / Tim Warner/GettyImages

"I was so excited because now teams; they got to choose who they’re going to double-team," Anderson said. "It’s really exciting. He’s a great guy. He loves football, man. I can’t wait to go out there and wreak havoc with him."

Hunter signed a two-year deal worth $49 million, $48 million guaranteed, to join the Texans. The All-Pro pass rusher recorded a career-best 16.5 sacks during the 2023 season. After entering the league as a third-round pick by the Vikings in 2015 (No. 88 overall), Hunter has registered 87.5 career sacks.

Anderson first met Hunter on March 14 inside NRG Stadium. He left a great impression on Hunter, who is thrilled to begin working with his new Pro Bowl teammate.

"That kid right there, he's exciting," Hunter said. "Has a lot of tools. I was with him earlier, and he just can't stop jumping, how eager he is to go out there and rush the passer together. Very good kid. I'm excited just to be able to go out there and teach him a lot of things that I know and become a better player. And same, I can learn from him, also.”

Anderson finished his first season with 45 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 67 pressures, 7.0 sacks, one pass deflection and one blocked field goal across 15 games. His 7.0 sacks set a new rookie franchise record for most sacks in a single season. He also led all rookies in pressures while taking home Defensive Rookie of the Year.