4 potential scapegoats if things go wrong for the Vikings in 2021
By Dean Jones
Danielle Hunter – DE
It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that the Vikings are better when Danielle Hunter is coming off the edge terrorizing opposing quarterbacks. The defensive end missed the entire 2020 campaign with a neck injury and was missed an endless amount, with nobody else really stepping up in his absence on a defense that struggled throughout.
Hunter is apparently fit and raring to go, although Minnesota hasn’t seen him at the facility as yet. The former LSU star is threatening to hold on in pursuit of a new deal, with reports suggesting he isn’t going to show his face at mandatory minicamp next week.
The Vikings would be foolish to give Hunter a new deal at this juncture. There is just no telling how well he’s going to return from such a significant injury, and the finances simply aren’t there even if they wanted to.
If he doesn’t miss a beat and puts up exceptional numbers once again in 2021, then the Vikings will gladly pay Hunter what he’s now worth.
Fans won’t take kindly to this sort of attitude in the current climate. So if Hunter’s absence ends up costing Minnesota when it matters most, it won’t take long for the finger of blame to be pointed in the player’s direction whether he is on the field or not.
Hopefully, this situation can resolve itself one way or another by the time competitive action gets underway. Minnesota’s chances of generating pressure depend on it.