Vikings Considering Danielle Hunter Extension?
There was one point in the offseason where it sounded like Danielle Hunter might not stick around Minnesota. Now, the defensive end is apparently being considered for an extension. Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah told reporters that extending Hunter remains an option for the franchise.
“We feel great where we are with Danielle,” Adofo-Mensah said (via Chris Tomasson of TwinCities.com). “Obviously, that roster bonus was a call to come to the table and get in conversation, dialogue, and we had great conversation with Danielle, his representation Zeke (Sandhu), all members of this organization, and I can say we’re all in a great place. (Hunter) called me from vacation (in Europe) the other day. … You can hear the urgency, the motivation in his voice to kind of resume where he is as one of the elite players in this league, and we’re excited to have back.”
There were rumors that the Vikings weren’t eager to pick up Hunter’s $18MM roster bonus, and as a result, the defensive end found himself on the trading block. Hunter was working against a new regime, a change in defensive schemes, and a lofty $25.8MM cap hit. Ultimately, the organization picked up the bonus and reworked the veteran’s contract, creating more than $13MM in cap space.
Hunter had 14.5 sacks in both 2018 and 2019, and despite missing 2020 due to neck surgery, he still possessed his pass-rushing prowess following his return to the field. In seven games this past season, the 27-year-old collected six sacks and 10 QB hits. He missed the final 10 games of the season thanks to a torn pectoral muscle. Fortunately, Hunter told reporters that he’s back to full health.
“I feel great,” the player said (via Tomasson). “The last two years were pretty unfortunate but I just got to stay positive and have positive people around me. My family’s been there, coaches have been there. So I’m ready to go this season.”
Vikings Rework DE Danielle Hunter’s Contract
The Vikings made a splash when they agreed to a three-year, $42MM deal with Za’Darius Smith today, and one of Smith’s fellow pass rushers indirectly made it happen. Per ESPN’s Field Yates (on Twitter), the Vikings converted Danielle Hunter‘s $18MM roster bonus into a signing bonus, creating the $13.5MM in cap space that was used to add Smith.
[RELATED: Vikings Agree To Deal With Za’Darius Smith]
Specifically, the move lowered Hunter’s 2022 cap number from $25.83MM to $12.33MM, per Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press (via Twitter).
The Vikings picked up Hunter’s $18MM roster bonus this past weekend, a move that was unexpected a few months ago. There were rumors 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 was a clear target to create additional funds. Cutting or trading Hunter would have saved the Vikes $14MM-plus in cap space.
Hunter’s second straight injury-marred season has reduced his outlook. 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.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/22/22
Here are today’s minor moves around the NFL:
Chicago Bears
- Signed: FB Khari Blasingame
Cincinnati Bengals
- Waived: OT Fred Johnson
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: CB Luq Barcoo, OLB Elijah Lee
Minnesota Vikings
- Re-Signed: QB Sean Mannion
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Re-Signed: DT Montravius Adams
Cardinals To Sign Nick Vigil
The Cardinals are bringing in a veteran to their linebacking corps. The team is signing Nick Vigil, reports Doug Kyed of Pro Football Focus (on Twitter). It’s a one-year, $1.77MM deal with $1.22MM guaranteed, according to Aaron Wilson (on Twitter).
[RELATED: Vikings To Sign LB Hicks]
Vigil was a third round pick of the Bengals in 2016. He spent four seasons in Cincinnati, becoming a full-time starter in his second campaign there. His final season in the Queen City was his most productive, as he totalled 111 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and one interception.
That level of play earned him a one-year contract with the Chargers. He was given a much smaller role in Los Angeles, however, playing less than one-third of the team’s defensive snaps. He moved on to the Vikings last season, again on a one-year pact. Filling in as an injury replacement, he started 12 of 16 contests and made 85 tackles.
By signing with the Cardinals, Vigil could step in as a replacement for Jordan Hicks, whom the team released before free agency started. The move saved them a healthy amount of cap space, while opening the door to more playing time for 2021 first rounder Zaven Collins. Given the lack of experience he has, however, a veteran addition to complement him and Isaiah Simmons – the team’s top pick the year prior – makes sense. Vigil will join his third different team in as many years, but he should have a role on one of the conference’s top rosters.
Vikings Agree To Deal With Za’Darius Smith
After being released by the Packers, Za’Darius Smith will remain in the NFC North. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the pass rusher is signing a three-year, $42MM deal with the Vikings (Twitter link). He adds that the contract’s maximum value is $47MM. Minnesota has confirmed the signing.
Smith was let go by the Packers after three seasons with the team. Green Bay made it clear early in the offseason that he would only be brought back at a reduced cost. That led him to free agency for the second time in his career. Many pointed to a reunion in Baltimore – where he spent the first four seasons of his career – as a distinct possibility.
A deal seemed to be done between those two sides, which would pay the 29-year-old $35MM over four years. One day after a number of other edge rushers on the market found new homes, however, it came out that Smith was in fact not signing with the Ravens.
Still on the open market, Smith garnered interest from both the Cowboys and Vikings. The latter met with Smith yesterday, opening the door to a deal. On the lookout for a compliment to fellow 2015 draftee Danielle Hunter, Smith will represent a significant addition to Minnesota’s pass-rush department.
At a annual average value of $14MM, the Vikings’ deal is a raise of $5.25MM per season over that offered by Baltimore. While it comes in at a rate notably lower than the compensation the likes of Von Miller and Chandler Jones have received this offseason, it’s not far off the $16.5MM average of his previous pact in Green Bay. With a lucrative new contract in place, he can now face his former team twice per year.
Restructured Deals: Packers, Broncos, Bills, Patriots, Giants
As free agency continues, teams will keep finding ways to open up additional cap. We’ve had a handful of reworked contracts in recent days, which we’ve compiled below:
- The Packers opened $10.15MM in cap space by restructuring the contracts of wideout Randall Cobb (which was previously reported) and safety Adrian Amos, per ESPN’s Field Yates (on Twitter). ESPN’s Rob Demovsky tweets that Green Bay turned $5.88MM of Amos’ $7MM base salary into a signing bonus and added four void years.
- The Broncos opened up some space via a pair of restructured deals. Wideout Tim Patrick converted $6.9MM of his roster bonus into a signing bonus, creating around $4.6MM in cap space, per Mike Klis of 9News in Denver (on Twitter). The Broncos also converted receiver Courtland Sutton‘s $10.5MM roster bonus into a signing bonus, saving $7.875MM in 2022 cap space, per Klis (on Twitter).
- The Panthers converted $11.765MM of wideout Robby Anderson’s 2022 pay into a signing bonus, creating $5.88MM in cap space, per Yates (on Twitter). Staying in the NFC, Yates also tweets that the Eagles converted $14.88MM of cornerback Darius Slay’s salary into a signing bonus, creating $11.90MM in 2022 cap space.
- The Giants converted $2.63MM of kicker Graham Gano’s salary into a bonus, creating $1.753MM in cap space, per ESPN’s Jordan Raanan (on Twitter). The team also added a void year to the contract, something GM Joe Schoen was trying to avoid (per Raanan).
- After getting traded to the Bills, quarterback Case Keenum agreed to rework his contract. Per Yates (on Twitter), Keenum reduced his base salary to $3.5MM. Another AFC East team, the Patriots, also got into the game, reducing defensive end Henry Anderson‘s base salary from $2.5MM to $1.25MM (per Yates).
- Yates passes along three more restructures (on Twitter): the Vikings opened $6MM in cap space by reworking safety Harrison Smith‘s contract, the Bills opened $5.172MM via linebacker Matt Milano‘s contract, and the Titans opened $6.45MM via linebacker Zach Cunningham‘s contract.
Vikings To Meet With Za’Darius Smith
Za’Darius Smith backed out of an agreement to return to the Ravens, and interest is picking up. The Vikings are set to meet with the recent Packers cap casualty Monday, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets.
Minnesota shopped Danielle Hunter but ultimately paid its longtime edge anchor an $18MM roster bonus Sunday. The team still could use an additional proven rusher. Smith would certainly qualify.
A Hunter-Smith pairing would be interesting, given each’s recent injury struggles. Smith missed 16 of the Packers’ 18 games last season because of a back injury he aggravated in Week 1. Smith underwent surgery last fall and did not return until Green Bay’s playoff game. Hunter is coming off two injury-marred years, with a pectoral tear shelving him midway through last season.
Injuries aside, the 2015 draftees are accomplished pass rushers. Each has two Pro Bowl nods, with Smith’s two coming from 2019-20, when he combined for 26 sacks to start off his Packers contract. The Vikings do have third-year edge rusher D.J. Wonnum, who led the team with eight sacks last season, but Everson Griffen is a free agent after another season that featured off-field issues lead to an in-season exit. Minnesota is also moving to a 3-4 defense for the first time in decades; Smith has played in 3-4 schemes throughout his career.
The Cowboys are also believed to be interested in Smith, discussing a deal with him before news of the Ravens pact surfaced and continuing to make a push for him after the accord dissolved. The Ravens believed they had Smith en route on a four-year, $35MM deal. But Smith changed course. The 29-year-old defender could be headed back to the NFC soon.
Vikings Expected To Keep DE Danielle Hunter
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.
Bills RFA Ryan Bates Visited Vikings; To Meet With Patriots, Bears
It appears one of the top candidates for an offer sheet this offseason is Bills guard Ryan Bates. The restricted free agent has visited with the Vikings, reports Chris Tomasson of The St. Paul Pioneer Press (on Twitter). 
Bates, 25, was given an original-round tender by the Bills earlier this week, valued at $2.433MM. As a former UDFA, the Bills would be able to match any potential offers he receives. That could become very relevant, as Tommasson notes that the Vikings “have interest in extending an offer sheet”, after their meeting with Bates reportedly went well.
He adds that Bates has visits scheduled for next week with the Patriots and Bears. The Penn State product was a backup during the first two of his three seasons in the league, as well as much of the 2021 campaign. However, he stepped in as the starting left guard in Week 15, and never looked back.
In his 294 snaps played this year, PFF credits Bates with no sacks allowed and only one penalty committed. His ability to help fortify the Bills’ offensive front has generated not only a desire for Buffalo to hang on to him, but also plenty of outside interest, clearly.
After his visits with New England and Chicago – and any others which take place – there should be more clarity on what other teams are willing to offer him, and how far the Bills are willing to go to match.
Vikings Restructure Adam Thielen’s Deal
Adam Thielen is staying put. On Friday, the wide receiver agreed to restructure his deal in order to remain with the Vikings, according to a tweet from his agency. 
The Vikings entered the offseason with one of the worst cap situations in the league and Thielen was viewed as a potential cap casualty. The two-time Pro Bowler was set to carry a $16.8MM cap hit this year. The Vikings could have released him to save $5.7MM against $11.1MM in dead money, or spread that dead money hit over the next two seasons via the post-June 1 designation. Ultimately, the Vikings wanted to keep the wide receiver – they just needed a little bit of cooperation on his part.
Thielen, 32 in August, registered 67 receptions for 726 yards and ten touchdowns in just 13 games last year. While it was a solid showing, it was something of a down year by his standards. Between his 2017 and 2018 Pro Bowl campaigns, Thielen averaged upwards of 1,300 yards per slate.
Thielen’s restructured contract includes $18MM guaranteed with a raise to $14.4MM in 2022 (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero). Meanwhile, for salary cap purposes, a void year has been added to the deal.
While Thielen is staying in Minnesota, the same can’t be said for cornerback Mackensie Alexander.