The Minnesota Vikings agreed to a one-year extension with edge rusher Danielle Hunter yesterday to secure him for the 2023 season. The deal was worth $20 million with $17 million guaranteed.
Jarrett Bailey of Touchdown Wire recently ranked the 12 contract extensions from around the NFL.
The Vikings’ extension of Hunter ranked dead last, getting an underwhelming D grade.
“For Hunter, the one-year, $20 million extension is great. He’s been one of the best defensive ends in football for a while, and he’s getting financially rewarded for his efforts. For the Vikings as a team, though, I’m not sure this makes sense.
Minnesota is going to take a massive step back in 2023. They won’t win 11 one-score games again, and they have shown signs of a small rebuild. Za’Darius Smith was traded to Cleveland for a pair of fifth-round picks, both Patrick Peterson and Chandon Sullivan went to Pittsburgh via free agency, and Dalvin Cook is in the middle of being courted by the entire AFC East like he’s this year’s host of The Bachelor.
It would have made more sense to find a trade partner and get something for Hunter. No, the Vikings wouldn’t have gotten the type of capital they were looking for in a trade, but it’s better than winning six games and watching him walk out for nothing next offseason.”
Bailey thinks that keeping Hunter and salvaging this season is not worth it in the grand scheme of things. After all, this is a competitive rebuild.
But to be competitive, keeping players like Hunter is essential, even if it is just for a year. While harsh, it is understandable that Bailey would want the Vikings to turn the page and start to get to the rebuilding part of the competitive rebuild mantra.
But that’s just part of the intrigue with this Minnesota team. How much longer will they be able to tread the line of staying competitive and rebuilding their roster?
