10 bold predictions for the Minnesota Vikings 2023 offseason
By Chris Schad
Danielle Hunter will be traded
One of the other big decisions the Vikings will have to make is whether to give Danielle Hunter a contract extension. Hunter signed a five-year, $72 million contract back in 2018, and he’s been looking for more money ever since as pass rushers have eclipsed the $100 million mark in total value.
The theme here is that the Vikings don’t have a lot of money to give Hunter, which could mean that a trade is in the works.
After playing in just eight games over the past two seasons due to neck and pectoral injuries, Hunter had a solid season in 2022, collecting 10.5 sacks and ranking sixth among edge rushers with 70 total pressures. But he also looked uncomfortable as a 3-4 outside linebacker, and his best value might be as a 4-3 edge rusher playing on the line of scrimmage.
The scheme fit could entice the Vikings to see what they could get for Hunter. If they get something similar to what the Chicago Bears got from the Los Angles Chargers for Khalil Mack (2022 second-round, 2023 sixth-round picks), it could help them reload their draft capital and begin to rebuild their defense.