It sounds like Danielle Hunter will be sticking around Minnesota after all. The Vikings plan to pick up the Pro Bowler’s $18MM roster bonus, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter).
The roster bonus is due on Sunday, and barring an “unforeseen change,” Hunter will be sticking with the Vikings past the deadline. This decision will effectively “tie” Hunter to the Vikings for the final two years of the player’s contract, per Schefter. A 2021 restructure implemented this bonus.
There were rumors earlier this week that the Vikings weren’t eager to pick up the option and were trying to trade Hunter. Minnesota has changed regimes and defensive schemes since committing to the veteran, and Hunter’s $25.8MM cap number is a clear target to create additional funds. Cutting or trading Hunter would save the Vikes $14MM-plus in cap space.
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.
Nice to see the Vikings keeping him!
That being said editorial note: I’m guessing the panthers are not picking up the bonus though it would be cool if they did
Ya I said the same thing. How are you going to say Minnesota then four words later say Panthers lol
“It sounds like Danielle Hunter will be sticking around Minnesota after all. The Panthers plan to pick up the Pro Bowler’s $18MM roster bonus, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter).”
Minnesota got the Panthers to pick up his option but he keeps playing in Minnesota?
The Vikings are ruthless!
I think you mean Vikings not Panthers…
No, the Panthers agreed to pay his bonus for the Vikings. Can’t you read?
obviously, the writer never learned to proofread an article before publishing it
Two hours later, he wrote that Corderelle Patterson spent the first four years of his career with the Titans. I’m guessing he just doesn’t like the Vikings.
I guess the Panthers aren’t any sadder to pay Danielle Hunter $18 million to play for the Vikings than they are to pay Sam Darnold $18 million to play for the Panthers.
If I had to guess, Vikings front office may have realized there wasn’t much of a market for him or at least couldn’t get what they wanted for him.
On a side note, that’s mighty nice of the Panthers to pick up that $18M….. 😉
Looks like big moves are done in Minneapolis. With under 3 million in cap space and not a lot of contracts to rework, this is your team. Offense should be fine. Defense is still a big question mark. Likely a CB at pick 12 but an edge rusher can’t be ignored there either…. Sigh, can we have two 12’s?
I see a couple of possible restructure – Hunter being one of them? Can any of this “roster bonus” be moved to “signing bonus”?
The Thielen move give them another 8 so they are at about 11 mil in cap space. They can easily restructure with Kendricks and can still creat significant cap space with Hunter among others. For the most part they will look to build through the draft. Would be nice to sign an interior OL or and outside edge rusher.
WOW !!
That new Vikings GM is worth his weight in GOLD !!
Imagine, getting the PANTHERS to pick up the 18 MM Roster Bonus due to Hunter AND the Vikings get to keep HUNTER !!