Danielle Hunter done for 2020, reportedly wants more money from Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings defensive end is reportedly done for the season.

A few months ago when Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter was missing practice during the team’s training camp, we were all told that his injury wasn’t something that was expected to keep him out for an extended period of time.

Then the Vikings began the season by putting Hunter on injured reserve and the doubts about his status for 2020 started to increase. A few weeks ago, the doubts increased even more when the young defensive end made a trip to New York to get a second opinion on his neck injury.

Well, now Hunter will reportedly undergo surgery to repair a herniated disk in his neck and he will officially miss the rest of the 2020 season according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.

Is Danielle Hunter looking for a raise from the Minnesota Vikings?

In addition to the report about Hunter getting surgery, Rapoport also added that Minnesota has to either make the defensive end the “highest-paid defender in football or trade him,” during the upcoming offseason.

This is the first time anything has been mentioned about Hunter wanting more money from the Vikings. It’s not like he isn’t worth it, but it’s also a bit odd that this information would be included in a post about him missing an entire season with a neck injury.

Hunter is still under contract with the Vikings until 2024 and he’s scheduled to make around $12 million during the remaining three years on his deal. His average salary currently ranks 42nd among all NFL defenders.

If Hunter truly is looking to become the highest-paid defender in the league, Minnesota would have to come up with a contract that pays him more than current Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa who is now making an average of $27 million per season.

The Vikings are probably willing to increase Hunter’s salary, but it’s hard to believe they would agree to a raise that would give him a higher yearly average than Bosa. Especially since the Minnesota defensive end is in the middle of missing an entire year due to a neck injury.

Hunter’s status with the Vikings will certainly be something to watch during the 2021 offseason. Hopefully, Minnesota and their talented young pass rusher are able to work something out to keep him in a purple and gold uniform.