The Minnesota Vikings parting ways with Danielle Hunter in free agency might just be the start of their troubles concerning the highly-regarded edge rusher. Star Tribune columnist La Velle E. Neal predicted that if the Vikings fail to re-sign Hunter, who reportedly has significant interest on the open market, he could potentially end up with NFC North rivals, such as the Detroit Lions or the Chicago Bears.
Neal emphasized the potential torment this outcome would bring to Vikings fans, as not only would Hunter depart as a free agent, but he would also join a divisional rival. The prospect of Hunter joining either the Lions, with players like Aidan Hutchinson, or the Bears, with Montez Sweat, would provide those teams with additional pass-rushing prowess. It would also give Hunter two opportunities each season to showcase his skills against the Vikings and demonstrate what they are missing.
According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, the Bears hold a high level of interest in Hunter and possess ample salary cap space to sign the 29-year-old. Hunter is coming off a season where he achieved career-high numbers in sacks (16.5), forced fumbles (4), total tackles (89), and tied for the league lead with 23 tackles for loss. Despite concerns about his health following a neck injury that sidelined him for the entire 2020 season and a torn pectoral injury that caused him to miss half of the 2021 season, Hunter has played every game over the past two years.
Neal urged the Vikings to negotiate a contract extension with Hunter in order to prevent the possibility of the Lions or Bears forming one of the most formidable pass-rushing tandems in the league with Hunter’s addition.
However, the issue with Neal’s plea is that contract talks between Hunter and the Vikings are currently at a standstill.
Waiting in the Balance: Danielle Hunter’s Fate Hangs on Vikings’ Handling of Kirk Cousins’ Deal
The Minnesota Vikings currently find themselves in a situation where they have left Danielle Hunter in a state of uncertainty, with less than a month remaining before the start of free agency on March 13.
According to an ESPN report from February 10, the Vikings have decided to put contract negotiations with Hunter “on hold” until they resolve their stance on whether to re-sign Kirk Cousins or let him become a free agent. The Vikings’ final decision on Cousins is unlikely to be reached until after the NFL Scouting Combine. Despite having had several months to reach an agreement, no deal has been reached thus far. It is expected that there will be one last negotiation after Cousins’ agent becomes aware of the offers he receives at the combine.
During the combine, Hunter will also become aware of the potential contract offers he could receive in free agency. This will force the Vikings to make a decision on whether to match those offers. Ideally, the Vikings would have signed Hunter to an extension before he learns his market value at the combine. Pro Football Focus projected his potential value to be a three-year deal worth $67 million.
If the Vikings truly want to retain either Hunter or Cousins, it would be in their best interest to secure contract extensions with them before they receive competitive offers from teams with greater salary cap space to spend.
Intertwined Destinies: The Linked Fate of Danielle Hunter and Kirk Cousins
There is a compelling argument to be made that Kirk Cousins and Danielle Hunter are a package deal, as parting ways with either player would have a significant impact on the team, particularly on the side of the ball they contribute to.
If the Vikings were to sign Cousins without retaining Hunter, their pass rush would be considerably weakened, potentially limiting their success to an early exit from the playoffs. On the other hand, moving on from Cousins would suggest a potential regression, considering the substantial dead cap hit of $28 million if he is not re-signed.
Assuming the Vikings make good draft choices in 2024, there is a scenario where Hunter remains in his prime and contributes to a meaningful playoff run with the team. However, Hunter may also have a desire to spend the final years of his career with a team that is more of a guaranteed contender. This desire could arise due to uncertainty surrounding a quarterback change in Minnesota and the level of competitiveness the team can offer.
Ultimately, the Vikings are faced with a complex decision that involves weighing the long-term implications of both Cousins and Hunter’s potential departures or extensions, considering the impact on team performance and the aspirations of both players.
