Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

Vikings’ Danielle Hunter sends message to team ahead of free agency

Originally posted on ClutchPoints | By Jimmy Wright | Last updated 1/7/24

Star pass rusher Danielle Hunter is free to sign with any NFL team he pleases for the first time in his career. If he has his way, he’ll remain a member of the Minnesota Vikings next season.

Hunter, who is scheduled to hit free agency for the first time, expressed a desire to return to the only team he has known after season-ending loss to the Detroit Lions. “ I’d love to be here. This is all I know. I’ve been here my whole career,” he told reporters after the loss, courtesy of ESPN’s Kevin Seifert.

If the Vikings want the same, they are going to have to pony up. Hunter and the Vikings agreed to a one-year deal for the 2023 season. As part of that deal, Minnesota is unable to apply the franchise or transition tag to the defender.

Aiding Hunter’s leverage is the season he just produced. He ended the year with 16.5 sacks, the fifth time in his eight NFL seasons he’s hit double-digits in sacks. In a league in which pass-rushers are at a premium, there will be plenty of interest in Hunter’s services once the free agency period begins.

Vikings’ sights set on Hunter?

Hunter helped spearhead a remarkable turnaround for the Vikings defense under first-year coordinator Brian Flores.

Last season, the Vikes’ D ended the season ranked 24th in defensive DVOA. Entering Week 18, Minnesota’s 2023 defense was the eighth-best unit in the NFL by the same metric.

Hunter sounded content to continue on with the team that originally drafted him. The question now is whether the Vikings are ready to pay Hunter for his services with other bidders in the mix.

This article first appeared on ClutchPoints and was syndicated with permission.

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