Pro Bowler Worth $67 Million Is Predicted to Leave the Vikings
The Vikings have reached a crossroads with Pro Bowl edge rusher Danielle Hunter — and it appears unlikely that Hunter will return after nine years in Minnesota.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported on Feb. 10 that during Super Bowl week in Las Vegas, it was all about Hunter being poised to capture a “strong market” in free agency. Fowler added that several teams showed interest in Hunter at the trade deadline. Especially the Chicago Bears, who were “high” on Hunter, and the Jacksonville Jaguars, who were interested in him last year.
Given the interest in Hunter, who turns 29 this summer, Purple Insider’s Matthew Koller checked out Fowler’s report locally. “I have a feeling that Daniel Hunter is not coming back. Given how much other teams are willing to give him, I don’t think it’s likely,” Koller said on the Feb. 10 episode of the “Purple Insider” podcast, adding that the Vikings aren’t willing to do that if other teams. Let us match your team’s offer, taking into account your current finances. “Looks like someone is looking for Danielle Hunter,” Koller added.
Vikings decision on Kirk Cousins affects Daniel Hunter negotiations: Report
In addition to Fowler’s report on Hunter, ESPN insider Dan Graziano noted that the Vikings’ talks with Hunter are “on hold” until the team makes a decision on Kirk Cousins’ future. The two are the two highest-paid players on the team and could face mass death if they are not re-signed before free agency begins on March 13.
According to Over the Cap, Cousins has $28.5 million in prorated bonuses that would accelerate through 2024 if he is released, or $14.9 million if Hunter does not re-sign. Cousins’ decision is the first domino of the season.
The Vikings’ new regime directly helped many of the team’s most beloved players secure long-term veteran contracts. They expressed their desire to keep these players, but after years of restructuring and expansion at a reasonable price for the future of the team, temporary concessions were made at the expense of the future. This led to the departures of Dalvin Cook, Adam Thielen and Eric Kendricks last season. With Cousins and Hunter both out this spring without re-signing, the Vikings will bite the bullet and eat up $43.4 million in dead cap space, which will greatly hinder their ability to build their roster from 2024.
But the Vikings will come out the other side with the fifth-most draft cap space of any team in the league next year and will likely be free-agent buyers like the Bears were this season. After only a year of experience, Danielle Hunter successfully broke into a bank.
Hunter is set to become a free agent this offseason after his agent tried to fix a bad deal he brokered.
Hunter signed a five-year, $72 million contract that immediately overpays the next two years. Hunter recorded a league-leading 154 pressures and the third-most sacks (29.0) among all NFL quarterbacks in the 2018 and 2019 seasons, according to Pro Football Focus.
He became the youngest player to reach 50 career sacks and was ready to start new contract negotiations if he missed the 2020 season with a neck injury. In October 2020, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Hunter would undergo neck surgery and broke the news that the Vikings should either make him the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL next season or change.
Hunter’s agent forced him to collect his dues, which led to several restructurings and a new one-year deal last summer. Hunter has proven his worth with a career-high 16.5 sacks this season and is on the market ready for another payday.
Chicago signed Montez Sweat to a four-year, $98 million contract in the middle of the season after acquiring the 27-year-old in a trade with the Washington Commanders. Before signing, Ter had never averaged more than 9.0 sacks in a season.
The Bears may have an opportunity to overpay for Sweat, but they may not be able to afford a premium position just yet. Pro Football Focus (PFF) projected Hunter to sign a three-year, $67 million contract, but could compete for an annual rate of $25 million. If the Vikings can’t land an offer based on those numbers, Hunter could move on.