Vikings: Danielle Hunter exploring trade request over contract saga

Vikings defender Danielle Hunter may ask for a trade if he doesn’t get an increase in pay this season.

Defensive end Danielle Hunter signed a five-year, $72 million extension with the Minnesota Vikings in 2018. It now appears that he is ready for a raise.

Hunter missed the entire 2020 season with a neck injury. Before that he posted back-to-back seasons of 14.5 sacks and clearly views himself as one of the more elite defenders in the NFL. His personal valuation may mean he will end up demanding a trade unless he gets a raise, according to a new report by Chad Graff of The Athletic.

Danielle Hunter could force his way out of Minnesota

Hunter signed his contract before the 2018 season. He then made two Pro Bowls and two All-Pro teams, becoming one of the best at his position in that span. The Vikings got a bargain and how the player is asking to be paid his true market value.

This is a tricky situation because Hunter remains under contract through the 2023 season. He is owed roughly $37 million total over the next three seasons and wants a raise. But the Vikings don’t necessarily have to give in to his demands. The only problem with that could be Hunter holding out until he gets his way.

The idea of trading Hunter is not something that just popped up, even if fans feel that way. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweeted about the possibility last fall.

https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1319309414050967555

Hunter missing the 2020 season effectively hurt his chances to demand more money this offseason. But the Vikings had to know this request was still going to come based on his dominant 2018 and 2019 seasons. It is fascinating to read the negative replies to Rapoport’s tweet, only to see the situation come true in the present day.

The Vikings found a gem by selecting Hunter in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft. Now the team has to decide if they want to give him record money, or send him elsewhere for a nice haul in return. The only question with that is if Hunter would immediately demand a new deal in his new city.

Teams around the league are dealing with a lowered salary cap and are getting creative to make things work. The Vikings may have no choice but to trade Hunter if he will only play on a brand new, max deal.