Former LSU football star is now on the NFL trade market
By John Fye
Danielle Hunter might soon find himself suiting up in colors other than purple and gold. The LSU football alum is reportedly on the NFL trade market.
The Minnesota Vikings and Danielle Hunter remain at an impasse regarding the defender’s contract. As a result, reports that the team is shopping the LSU football alum are rapidly circulating social media.
There will be no shortage of NFL teams exploring potential trades to acquire Hunter’s services. Such teams include contenders with the cap space to sign the former Tiger to a long-term deal. The Jacksonville Jaguars immediately come to mind.
The Arizona Cardinals and Indianapolis Colts are some teams with cap space and defensive end needs.
Hunter reported to Vikings training camp in Eagan, Minnesota, last Wednesday. However, what some fans viewed as a show of good faith is nothing more than Hunter avoiding daily fines for no-showing. Moreover, the 28-year-old will not participate in on-field activities.
Sources from multiple teams say the #Vikings have been open to trading Pro Bowl DE Danielle Hunter should sides fail to reach an extension.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) July 29, 2023
Hunter does not want to play on $4.9M salary, and sides have not made enough progress on a deal. https://t.co/2GMos0Cpq2
For all intents and purposes, Danielle Hunter is holding out on the Vikings because of his contract. He is slated to receive $4.9 million in the final year of his five-year, $72 million pact with the Vikings.
There is an argument that the former LSU football standout is underpaid. For example, Hunter and Pittsburgh’s Cameron Heyward posted 10.5 sacks in 2022. However, Heyward’s average annual salary is nearly $11 million higher than Hunter’s. Philadelphia’s Josh Sweat is another example of a pass-rusher that earns more than Hunter despite posting similar sack totals.
Conversely, Hunter’s production was minimal because of injuries in recent seasons.
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A neck injury and subsequent surgery sidelined Hunter for the entire 2020 season. A pectoral tear then sidelined Hunter for nine games in the 2021 season. Thankfully, the eight-year veteran avoided significant injury and appeared in all Vikings games last season.
Hunter understandably wants what is likely his last large payday. Edge rusher is a premium position in the NFL, and Hunter has proven himself among the best when healthy. As for the Vikings, giving more money to a player that turns 29 in October conflicts with the team’s plans to get younger and cheaper.
The Minnesota Vikings drafted Danielle Hunter in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft. Hunter was an excellent player for LSU football but didn’t post the eye-popping sack totals that NFL teams covet. However, the Vikings quickly developed Hunter in Mike Zimmer’s defense under defensive line coach Andre Patterson’s tutelage.
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Hunter has 117 tackles and 71 sacks as an NFL pro. He is also a three-time Pro Bowl selection that earned All-Pro honors in 2015.