While some have been expecting the Minnesota Vikings to move on from pass rusher Danielle Hunter this year, the door seems to be still open for a return.
In 17 games with the Minnesota Vikings last season, veteran pass rusher Danielle Hunter finished with 83 total tackles (including an NFL-leading 23 for a loss), 41 pressures, 22 QB hits, 16.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and two pass deflections.
Hunter's totals in 2023 for tackles, tackles for a loss, sacks, pressures, QB hits, and forced fumbles all tied or set new single-season career highs for the four-time Pro Bowl pass rusher.
Despite his impressive amount of success this past season, Hunter might have already played his final game in a Vikings uniform, as he is set to become a free agent in the near future when the new league year begins on March 13.
Minnesota Vikings have reportedly "made an effort" to re-sign Danielle Hunter
While much of the focus for Minnesota this offseason has been on whether or not the team will re-sign quarterback Kirk Cousins, the Vikings figuring out whether or not they want to bring back Hunter for the 2024 campaign is also a very large priority for the franchise this year.
According to ESPN's Dan Graziano, keeping the talented pass rusher around for at least one more season is something Minnesota has already made an attempt to do, as the team has reportedly "made an effort" to re-sign him this year.
Obviously, no agreement on a new deal between the Vikings and Hunter has been reached yet. But for those who might have thought Minnesota was just going to let the veteran defender walk out the door without any sort of contract offer, this info from Graziano should at least cause a slight increase in optimism about Hunter possibly remaining in purple and gold for the 2024 season.
In the same report, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler also mentioned that Hunter is probably going to be looking for a new deal this offseason that pays him more than $20 million per year.
If this is true, or at least close to being true, then it might cause the Vikings to let their longtime pass rusher go explore the free-agent market.
But just as it's the case with Cousins, if Minnesota lets Hunter get to free agency before re-signing him to a new contract, then his time with the franchise is likely going to be over.