The Minnesota Vikings are getting trade calls for Danielle Hunter
NFL teams are calling the Minnesota Vikings about the potential of trading for defensive end Danielle Hunter, according to Ian Rapoport.
Trade rumors around Hunter have sparked after the Vikings’ inability to reach a long-term deal with the three-time Pro Bowler. Hunter will be entering the final year of his contract in 2023. While it is not impossible that the Vikings can reach an extension with Hunter, it will not be easy due to the franchise’s current financial situation.
Hunter, 28, can provide a contending team with a lot of value. In 2022, he had a massive return to form as he played in all 17 games while compiling 10.5 sacks and 65 tackles. Additionally, Hunter is only set to make $5.5 million in 2023 which makes him a cheap option for the team that would hypothetically acquire him.
Hunter would be far from the Vikings’ first cap casualty. This offseason the Vikings plan to cut Dalvin Cook, as well as releasing veterans Adam Thielen and Eric Kendricks. Meanwhile, Dalvin Tomlinson and Irv Smith Jr. have signed elsewhere.
This would not be their first trade either as Minnesota sent Za’Darius Smith to Cleveland earlier this offseason.
Despite a flurry of cap-cleansing moves the Vikings are still in a complicated financial situation. The team is currently working on an extension for star wide receiver Justin Jefferson and the future of the quarterback position is in the air as Kirk Cousins‘ contract expires after this season.
If Hunter has truly played his final game as a Viking, his tenure with the franchise will be remembered positively. Minnesota hit a home run when they selected Hunter in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft. In his seven years in the purple and gold, Hunter contributed 71 sacks, 85 tackles for loss, and 112 quarterback hits.
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