One of the NFL's premier pass rushers may be looking for a new home. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports three-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Danielle Hunter intends to skip the Minnesota Vikings' upcoming mandatory minicamp as he pursues a new contract.
Three-time Pro Bowl DE Danielle Hunter plans to skip the #Vikings’ mandatory minicamp, per sources.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) June 12, 2023
The sides haven’t seen eye-to-eye on a new contract. @RapSheet reported Minnesota has received trade calls, and now one of the NFL’s top pass rushers is officially a holdout. pic.twitter.com/GedTiRbIKt
Hunter is in the final year of a five-year, $72 million extension signed in 2018. He has proven to be one of the most dominant defensive ends in the league in the time since, tallying 45.5 sacks and 54 tackles for loss over his last 56 appearances.
The Vikings signed Hunter just before he ascended to superstardom, so there's a case to be made he has been underpaid for a few years now; there are 14 edge rushers making more than him on a per-year basis, and he's set to earn a paltry $5.5 million in new money this year.
Hunter remains only 28 years old and seems to have gotten over a spat of injuries that cost him 26 games from 2020 to 2021; he started 17 games in 2022 and earned a sterling 86.3 overall grade from Pro Football Focus. If the Vikings aren't willing to give him a top-of-the-market deal ($20-25 million per year), other teams should be.
What sort of compensation it would take to pry him away from the Vikings is another question. The Miami Dolphins acquired Bradley Chubb from the Denver Broncos last season for a first-round pick and then some; Hunter is older but significantly more accomplished. So long as the Vikings are willing to play ball, Hunter could be a savvy pickup for any team that fancies itself a contender.
Photo Credit: © Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports.jpg)
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