$20 million Vikings star acknowledges belief He has completed his last game.
Danielle Hunter, an edge rusher for the Minnesota Vikings who will soon be eligible for free agency for the first time in his career, acknowledged this week that he considered playing his final game in purple and gold.
After Sunday, January 7, the Vikings lost to the Detroit Lions 30–20 to conclude the season. Hunter talked about the prospect that this was his last game in Minnesota.
“I’ve given it some thought. However, as The Athletic’s Alec Lewis reports, Hunter stated in a locker room interview that “there will be a time and place for whenever that stuff comes.”
During training camp, when he was negotiating a deal with the Vikings, Hunter was the talk of the trade community both before and after the league’s trade deadline. Hunter will essentially have a prove-it year after the two sides agreed to a one-year contract for up to $20 million, which prevents the Vikings from franchise-tagging him. That’s exactly what he did.
With 16.5 sacks this season, Hunter tied the fifth-most in the NFL and set a career high. As a willing run defender, he also tied for the league lead with 23 tackles for loss, which is a career high.
Hunter acknowledged that, despite all of his accomplishments, he believes he still has more to offer the team and his colleagues. “I wish I could be here. Hunter continued, “This is all I know. I’ve worn the same colors throughout middle school and even back to my days at LSU.
When asked if he intended to remain purple: “Yes, sir,” Hunter muttered under his breath. The Vikings returned to the TCO Performance Center in Eagan, Minnesota, the day following their defeat by the Lions, so they could tidy their locker rooms.
Even after a breakout year at the age of 29, Hunter admitted to feeling as like his tenure in Minnesota is unfinished in an interview with local reporters, despite having spent eight years with the organization.
To be honest, I feel a little empty within. In a January 8 locker room interview, Hunter stated, “People may think it’s a good year, but I feel like there’s more that I could have done for my team—would have loved to make the playoffs.”
Hunter, a third-round selection in 2015, has been selected to four Pro Bowls and is anticipated to draw a lot of attention in free agency this offseason. This is my favorite organization. I’d really like to come back, but you know how this business thing goes,” Hunter remarked.
Pro Football Focus (PFF) ranks Hunter as the 12th greatest pending free agent going into the 2024 offseason. Teams may be more than prepared to spend a premium on an accomplished edge rusher such as Hunter if they believe he will be the difference between them and a deep postseason run.
Hunter was expected by Brad Spielberger of PFF to sign a three-year, $65 million contract at $21.67 million annually in free agency. At his position, the average annual value of such contract would be a fringe top-10 contract.
According to Darren Wolfson of KSTP, Hunter is happy with his current circumstances in Minnesota and is willing to accept a team discount, but the Vikings will need to go above and above to attract him if the market is strong enough.
