Danielle Hunter‘s days with the Vikings appear numbered. The accomplished defensive end has an $18MM roster bonus due Sunday, and Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports the Vikings are trying to trade him (Twitter link).
A 2021 restructure implemented this bonus, and it does not look like the Vikings intend to pay it. Minnesota has changed regimes and defensive schemes, and Hunter’s $25.8MM cap number is a clear target to create additional funds.
[RELATED: Vikings To Release DT Michael Pierce]
Cutting or trading Hunter would save the Vikes $14MM-plus in cap space. The team began the 2022 league year up against the cap. Hunter’s second straight injury-marred season has reduced his value to the point it is difficult to envision another team paying that bonus. That said, Hunter was the youngest player in NFL history to reach the 50-sack plateau. The two-time Pro Bowler is still just 27.
Hunter joining Za’Darius Smith as an NFC North edge rusher cap casualty would generate interest. Smith collected a four-year, $35MM deal from the Ravens, doing so despite missing 16 games last season because of a back injury. Hunter missed all of the 2020 season with a neck injury and missed the second half of last season after tearing a pectoral muscle.
The former third-round pick has three seasons with at least 12 sacks, including 14.5-sack seasons in 2018 and ’19, and was a key part of the Vikings advancing in the playoffs in both the 2017 and ’19 seasons. Minnesota would lose a pass-rushing staple by dealing or cutting Hunter, who has been with the team since 2015. The Vikings brought back Everson Griffen last season, but after another in-season hiatus, the veteran should not be expected back. D.J. Wonnum was the only player whose sack total (eight) topped Hunter’s seven-game sample (six) last season.
Rams need to jump on this to replace what they were gonna spend on von
This feels dirty.
Jets have to get him!!!!
I said before guys started getting deals, he’s gotta be the guy to go. He’s good but can’t play to that contract and with it they are over and have to cut multiple guys. Trade him away and hope for a decent return
Key word is “hope”…they’ll be lucky to get a 5th round pick so they don’t have to release him and get zero
I doubt they’d only get a 5th for a pass rusher who is under 30 while Von Miller just signed for 6/120. He had a herniated disc that didn’t appear to be a problem when he had 6 sacks in 7 games before tearing his pec. If they end up with less than a 3, regardless of leverage, I’ll be surprised.
You’ll be surprised. Amari Cooper, who was healthy, only netted a fifth rounder. It’s the contract you’re trading, not just the player.
You’re high. Lucky to get a 5th? Do you have any idea who you are talking about?
“…can’t play to that contract?”
He’s got only the 18th highest AAV among edge rushers on what is universally considered a ridiculously team-friendly contract, and before his neck injury, from which he spectacularly returned, he was looking to be the highest paid edge rusher in the league. He may never reach that goal, even though the pec injury had nothing to do with the neck injury, but he outplays his current deal every moment he is on the field.
Dallas has 4 5th round picks. I’m just saying.
If they don’t get a 1st and maybe a conditional fourth, I wouldn’t move him. He’s a great pass rusher and very stout against the run. Minnesota should keep him.
I agree. Gotta get a first for him. Even if it is in next years draft. I’m sure his contract demands are just not palatable for the Vikings staff. He probably wants to be pod as a top 5 edge rusher, which he has been when healthy, but I do t know that I can justify that type of a contract for a guy who has only played like 9 games in two seasons. It’s a tough choice.