MINNESOTA VIKINGS FACE UNCERTAIN FUTURE AS PRO BOWL EDGE RUSHER DANIELLE HUNTER SET TO DEPART
In a shocking turn of events, it seems highly unlikely that Pro Bowl edge rusher Danielle Hunter will continue his career with the Minnesota Vikings. Speculation surrounding Hunter’s future has been buzzing since Super Bowl week in Las Vegas, and it appears that he will command a strong market in free agency. Several teams, including the Chicago Bears and the Jacksonville Jaguars, have expressed interest in acquiring Hunter’s talents.
Matthew Coller of Purple Insider has further supported these reports, stating that he believes Hunter will not return to the Vikings. Coller suggests that the team will be unwilling to match the offers that other teams will present to Hunter, given their current financial situation. It seems that someone will go all-in on Danielle Hunter, leaving the Vikings without their star player.
The Vikings’ negotiations with Hunter have been put on hold until the team decides on the future of quarterback Kirk Cousins. Both players are among the highest-paid on their respective sides of the ball and have significant dead cap hits if they do not re-sign before the start of free agency. Cousins faces $28.5 million in prorated bonuses that would accelerate onto the 2024 cap sheet if he leaves, while Hunter has $14.9 million in potential dead cap.
The decision regarding Cousins will set the tone for the Vikings’ offseason. The new regime has made it clear that they intend to clear out backloaded veteran contracts, which has resulted in the departure of several beloved players. While the team wants to keep these players, they must do so at a price point that aligns with their future plans. This spring, there is a possibility that neither Cousins nor Hunter will be re-signed, resulting in a significant dead cap hit for the Vikings.
However, this bold move would provide the team with the fifth-most cap space in the league next year, allowing them to be active buyers in free agency. The Vikings could rebuild their roster and position themselves for success in the future, similar to what the Bears plan to do this offseason. The future of the Minnesota Vikings hangs in the balance as they navigate these crucial decisions.
Vikings Star Danielle Hunter’s Future Hangs in the Balance
Danielle Hunter, the talented defensive end for the Minnesota Vikings, is set to enter free agency this offseason. This comes after years of his agent working to rectify a bad deal that was initially brokered. Hunter signed a lucrative five-year, $72 million contract, which he quickly outperformed in the following two seasons. In fact, he led the league with an impressive 154 pressures and recorded the third-most sacks (29.0) among all NFL defenders, according to Pro Football Focus.
At just 26 years old, Hunter became the youngest player to reach 50 career sacks. His remarkable performance had him on track for new contract negotiations, but unfortunately, he missed the entirety of the 2020 season due to a neck injury. In October 2020, it was reported that Hunter would undergo neck surgery, leaving the Vikings with a tough decision to make in the upcoming offseason – either make him the highest-paid defender in the NFL or trade him.
Hunter’s agent has been relentless in his pursuit to secure a deserving contract for his client. This has led to multiple restructures and a new single-year deal last summer. Hunter proved his worth by posting a career-high 16.5 sacks this season, making him an attractive prospect in the current market.
The Chicago Bears recently signed Montez Sweat to a four-year, $98 million deal, showcasing their willingness to invest in defensive talent. Sweat, who was acquired in a trade with the Washington Commanders, had never surpassed 9.0 sacks in a single season before signing the lucrative contract. This suggests that the Bears may be willing to overpay to secure top-tier defensive players.
Hunter is expected to command a hefty $25 million per year contract, and if the Vikings cannot come close to that figure, it is likely that he will seek opportunities elsewhere. The future of this talented defensive end hangs in the balance, and fans are left wondering if they have seen the last of him in a Vikings uniform.
According to the Source heavy.com