On the first official day of the new league year, the Arizona Cardinals had to say goodbye to their all-time leader in sacks, Chandler Jones. The four-time Pro Bowler signed a three-year deal with the Las Vegas Raiders, averaging about $17 million per season. The Cardinals were never going to pay that salary.
With the loss of Jones, the Cardinals have a massive hole on defense. While he wasn’t putting up the numbers he typically did, opposing offenses still had to gameplan around him. As the roster stands now, Vance Joseph’s defense is severely lacking in pass rush. How can the Cardinals solve that issue?
Danielle Hunter, currently of the Minnesota Vikings, is the subject of trade talks as he carries a $26 million cap hit this season. He has an $18 million roster bonus coming due this coming Sunday, so there’s certainly a deadline for the Vikings to either move him or restructure his contract.
It’s been a frustrating couple of seasons for Hunter. He has played in just seven games since 2019, missing the entire 2020 season and the second half of last season. Perhaps that’s why he’s potentially on the move, but his talent still warrants a phone call from the Cardinals. Prior to the past two seasons, Hunter has been reliable, playing at least 14 games in each year since 2015. Despite the concerns, Hunter is still just 27 years old and could be a long term answer at the position, similar to the acquisition of Chandler Jones back in 2016.
When he’s healthy, Hunter’s ability is without question. In 2018 and 2019, he registered 14.5 sacks and was selected to the Pro Bowl. In the seven games he played last season, he registered six sacks.
General manager Steve Keim has not shied away from making blockbuster trades at positions of need, particularly for players around the age range of Hunter. DeAndre Hopkins and Chandler Jones were both in their late 20s when they were traded to Arizona. Given the vast need at the position, could we see Keim pull the trigger again?
It certainly doesn’t help the Cardinals’ case that they play in the NFC. The Vikings would certainly prefer to send Hunter out of the conference, as both Minnesota and Arizona have the potential to face one another in the postseason and will face each other in 2022 in the regular season. Keim and company may have to be the highest bidder.
It’s been quiet for the Cardinals so far this offseason, despite their pressing needs at edge rusher and wide receiver. Adding Hunter to pair with J.J. Watt and Markus Golden would give the Cardinals their best pass rush in years.
Projected Trade:
- The Cardinals receive: DE Danielle Hunter
- The Vikings receive: 2022 second-round pick
- The Cardinals restructure Hunter’s contract to reduce what would be a $19.4 million cap hit in 2022.
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