NFL Rumors: Cowboys in on Diggs, Lions Chase Young trade, Vikings dilemma

NFL Rumors: Will the Vikings trade Danielle Hunter?

Danielle Hunter is entering the final year of his contract with the Vikings. Minnesota has already let several veterans walk this offseason, including longtime running back Dalvin Cook. Could Hunter, who is fresh off a 10.5-sack season, be the next to go involuntarily?

Despite making the playoffs and winning the NFC North last season, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has accelerated the Vikings rebuild. With several veterans heading into the final year of their contracts, Adofo-Mensah decided there was no point to giving into nostalgia, and cut said player loose early.

Hunter transitioned from a defensive end to edge linebacker last season, and remained relatively healthy after two straight seasons dealing with injuries. His numbers reflected just that, and rival teams have monitored his status all offseason to see if Minnesota would be interested in dealing him. ESPN highlighted the severity of the situation, which is growing as Hunter threatens a holdout:

"“(Hunter) skipped the voluntary portion of the Vikings’ offseason program as the sides discussed further contract adjustments, but the decision to hold out increases the stakes of the dispute. Skipping mandatory minicamp will subject him to mandatory fines of $16,459 for the first day and $32,920 for the second, according to the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement with the NFL Players Association, and calls into question whether he will report to training camp when it begins in late July.”"

Trading Hunter would be a major hit to the Vikings NFC North chances. Considering Aaron Rodgers is outside the division for the first time in several decades, standing pat is something Minnesota ought to consider more seriously.