Danielle Hunter has emerged as the latest veteran prepared to miss out on mandatory minicamp amidst a contract dispute. The edge rusher is planning on remaining absent from the Vikings this week, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network (Twitter link). 
Hunter has one year remaining on his contract, which has put his future in doubt. The 28-year-old is due $5.5MM in 2023, but his cap hit is $13.1MM, leading in part to the financial impasse he and the Vikings now find themselves in. Hunter was also absent from voluntary OTAs, though this latest decision could lead to fines. Players can be docked a total of nearly $99K if they remain away from their team during three-day minicamps.
Not for the first time, Hunter’s future in Minnesota has come into question this offseason. He was mentioned in trade rumors previously, and the Vikings have received inquiries into his availability in a potential swap. Hunter dealt with injury troubles in 2020 and ’21, but his level of play last season has boosted his value on a new Vikings deal or one with another team.
The LSU product racked up 10.5 sacks in 2022, adding 12 tackles for loss and 22 QB hits, which matched his career high. With his health and production less of a question than previous years, Hunter’s desire to secure a multi-year extension is understandable. On the other hand, the Vikings have parted ways with a number of veterans this offseason, as they look to implement their ‘competitive rebuild’ strategy going forward.
Minnesota released the likes of Eric Kendricks, Adam Thielen and, more recently, Dalvin Cook. The team also saw Dalvin Tomlinson and Patrick Peterson depart in free agency, and traded away edge rusher Za’Darius Smith. The latter’s starting role appeared to be filled by ex-Saint Marcus Davenport, who inked a one-year deal this offseason. Moving on from Hunter via trade or release would yield modest cap savings and a dead cap charge of $7.6MM, and it would leave the Vikings in need of a late edge rush addition to replace him.
The degree to which Hunter’s decision to hold out opens up contract talks will be a key story to follow in the coming days and weeks. If little progress is made on that front, speculation about his future will no doubt continue to heat up.
DUMP HIM !!
As a Vikings fan this has been an exhausting offseason. Has there been a 13 win team with such a turbulent offseason?
13 wins yeah, but that was more smoke and mirrors than a legit playoff team.
Oh I think they were legit offensively. But the defense was exposed and their cap issues have magnified that. That and the way players wanna get paid as if no other players on the same team wanna get paid. Actually that goes for every team but the Vikes have had a bunch of it this offseason.
Yeah, that defense was horrible. I’m shocked that O’Connell rode that worthless display of a defensive scheme into the playoffs. Ugh.
Turbulence basically describes the entire NFC North division. Packers moving on from Rodgers and none of the other team GMs with more than 2 yrs experience. A lot of changes and wild cards in play this season so very hard to predict what will happen there.
Rams after their SB win in Feb 2022.
Trade Hunter for Draft Choices.
Bring back Kenny Willekes.
I’m afraid he will be hurt again soon so dump him for picks.
I had the good fortune to see the Vikings players at minicamp. Despite what has been posted about Danielle Hunter, He Was There. Through my personal observation I can confirm that: he wasn’t running, he wasn’t walking, he WAS skipping.