How much is Danielle Hunter worth to the Minnesota Vikings?
By Dean Jones
Should the Vikings pay Hunter?
The simple answer to this question is yes, the Vikings should pay Danielle Hunter the going rate.
Just not this offseason.
Although his importance is unquestioned, there is simply no telling just what a significant injury will do for his long-term aspirations. This isn’t an ACL tear or a broken arm, it is a herniated disc and it potentially comes with more complications than other common football injuries.
If Hunter makes a return to his old self and produces 10 to 15 sacks next season, then give the player whatever he wants next year. Make no mistake, he will have earned it.
The Vikings aren’t in any position to be giving out bumper extensions in the current financial climate anyway. Hunter will be all-too-aware of this, so it might be that the defensive end is looking to get away from the organization in a similar fashion to what we saw during the Stefon Diggs saga before he was shipped to the Buffalo Bills.
One player doesn’t make a team. Minnesota could get a first-round pick and more in return for Hunter if they began taking calls and they may even have the pick of the pass-rushers available in the 2021 NFL Draft at No. 14 overall considering how offense-heavy the top-10 is expected to be.
Hopefully, recent discussions between Mike Zimmer and Hunter have been positive. But there promises to be plenty of twists and turns to come regarding this situation that will undoubtedly come with huge ramifications.