Danielle Hunter got richer during the Vikings win over the Saints
By Adam Patrick
Minnesota Vikings pass rusher Danielle Hunter earned a bonus after adding another sack to his 2023 total on Sunday during the win over the New Orleans Saints.
Heading into the 2023 season, the future of Danielle Hunter with the Minnesota Vikings was surrounded by plenty of doubt.
Hunter and the Vikings worked out some contract issues during the summer, and some felt that he could be heading into his final year with the franchise.
Well, after the first 10 games of Minnesota's 2023 schedule, the veteran pass rusher might have already convinced the team to re-sign him next year with his multiple impressive performances out on the field.
Sack in win over New Orleans Saints results in a bonus for Minnesota Vikings pass rusher Danielle Hunter
Following an egregiously bad hands-to-the-face penalty called on Hunter in the second half (which resulted in his helmet being pulled off by a Saints player), the Vikings' top pass rusher found a way to sack New Orleans quarterback Jameis Winston on the very next play.
With the sack, Hunter increased his 2023 total to 11, and according to the Star Tribune's Ben Goessling, he also triggered a $1 million bonus in his contract after bringing Winston down.
So the Pro Bowl pass rusher is literally earning his money out on the field this season. Hunter's current contract has him scheduled to make $17 million this year, but after getting another sack on Sunday, now he'll make at least $18 million.
At this point, re-signing him in 2024 seems like a decision the Vikings need to make. Premier pass rushers like Hunter are hard to come by, so instead of attempting to save some money by replacing him with a cheap free agent or a 2024 draft pick, Minnesota should just do whatever they can to keep him around for at least a few more seasons.
Will this end up being what the Vikings decide to do next year? Or will Hunter wind up becoming the latest longtime contributor to part with Minnesota?
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