@ $20 million Danielle Hunter & Vikings Agree To A One-Year Contract
@ $20 million Danielle Hunter & Vikings Agree To A One-Year Contract
On Sunday, the Minnesota Vikings and defensive end Danielle Hunter, who has been to three Pro Bowls, announced that they had reached an agreement on a new contract.
Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network report that Hunter has agreed to a one-year, $20 million contract with $17 million guaranteed to remain with the organization.
According to reports, the deal was finalized late on Saturday night and includes a stipulation that prevents the Vikings from using the franchise tag on Hunter next year.
According to ESPN, the Vikings were exploring trade possibilities for the 28-year-old pass rusher prior to this news.
This season, Hunter was expected to make $5.5 million. Two off seasons ago, he renegotiated a five-year, $70 million pact, which would have been its final year.
He reportedly did not participate in the 2023 Vikings’ voluntary summer fitness program or obligatory minicamp in order to negotiate for a higher salary, but he did report to training camp by the veterans’ deadline on Tuesday.
On Saturday, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters that he and Hunter were in daily contact. Per NFL: “We’re still kind of in that on-going process,” O’Connell remarked.
I speak with him on a daily basis. Over the course of a lengthy preseason, I’m hoping we can keep working toward [finding common ground]. He’ll be prepared to play because of his extensive football experience.
Before becoming a free agent with no restrictions, he will now play one more season at a wage commensurate with his performance.
Hunter has his first season with double-digit sacks since 2019 when he had 10.5. Since 2019, his 70s were also a record for his pressures.
Due to an injured pectoral muscle, he was limited to just seven games that year (2021).
Since joining the Vikings in 2015 straight out of LSU, he has made tremendous strides. In 102 games over his career, 73 of which were starts, he recorded 71 sacks and 112 quarterback hits.
