NEWSLETTER
I’ll repeat it: I really don’t know what the Minnesota Vikings are doing this offseason. Today on Inside Minicamps on NFL+, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said that the Minnesota Vikings are listening to calls regarding a trade for pass rusher Danielle Hunter.
Rapoport said that Danielle Hunter is generating lots of trade interest right now. Rapoport noted, “From my understanding, the interest is pretty serious.”
To be clear, Rapoport never said that the Vikings wanted to trade Hunter, just that they were listening to teams who were interested in trading for him. Which, to me, says that they don’t not want to trade him, or there wouldn’t be much of a conversation regarding it.
So, there is a possibility that something might come of this before training camp.
Hunter battled a neck injury and a torn pectoral in 2020 and 2021 but had a strong 2022 season. He recorded 10.5 sacks and earned his third Pro Bowl nod with the Vikings. Additionally, Hunter has logged 71 sacks, 379 tackles, and seven forced fumbles in seven NFL seasons with the Vikings. However, he is entering the fifth and final season of his current contract. Given the current appraoch, there isn’t much of a long-term fit with the Vikings as they re-tool their roster.
Hunter is only 28 years old, so he’s still a player who can impact the edge. However, it seems like it won’t be in Minnesota for much longer.
The Vikings have said goodbye to numerous veterans this offseason including Za’Darius Smith, Eric Kendricks, and Adam Thielien. Veteran running back Dalvin Cook could be on the way out as well. With the Vikings looking to get younger and cheaper, Hunter might be next.
If the Vikings are serious about moving on from Hunter, the Bears should be a team on the horn with Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. Ryan Poles has been on record regarding the team’s desire to add another edge rushe. Danielle Hunter is a good one.
And before you scoff at the idea of an intra-division trade, let’s not forget that the Vikings and Lions just pulled off a blockbuster at the 2022 trade deadline for tight end T.J. Hockenson.
However, if the Bears are going to trade for an edge rusher who is going to be looking for a new deal, the cost of acquisition has to be reasonable. If it’s not, then just pay the guy when he hits free agency. Still, it’s worth investigating.
We’ll see where this goes and discuss it more down the line.
