The Vikings Need To Extend Danielle Hunter

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Sep 24, 2021
Danielle Hunter
Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Although the Minnesota Vikings’ defense has been an issue through the first two weeks of the 2021 season, defensive end Danielle Hunter has been a definite bright spot. Hunter, who missed the 2020 season due to a neck injury, has returned with a presence and has four sacks and eight total tackles in the first two games. After signing a reworked deal over the offseason, Hunter is playing in a contract year and should be given a blank check when it comes to keeping the star DE in purple after this season.

Drafted at 88th overall in 2015, Hunter has been a consistent presence on the line since his rookie season, registering 54.5 sacks in 78 games from 2015-2019. Hunter became the youngest player in NFL history (25 years, 40 days old) to record 50 career sacks with a three-sack performance against the Detroit Lions on December 8, 2019. Hunter is a two-time NFC Defensive Player of the Week and has made two Pro Bowls in his seven-year career. His best season came in 2019, when he registered 14.5 sacks, forced three fumbles, had 52 solo tackles, and posted an 89.4 PFF grade. Hunter helped lead the Vikings to a road playoff win over the New Orleans Saints that season with a forced fumble late in the 4th quarter of that game.

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After a career year in 2019, Vikings fans were thrilled to see just how good Hunter would be in 2020. Unfortunately, they would have to wait a year, as Hunter “tweaked” his neck in a non-padded practice before the start of the season and needed surgery to repair the injury. The Vikings certainly missed Hunter in 2020, as they allowed 475 points (4th most) and 6,292 yards (6th most) en route to a 7-9 season. The Vikings only had 23 sacks in 2020 compared to 50 sacks when Hunter was playing in 2019.

So far this season, Hunter has looked just as good as where he left off in 2019, as he is currently second in the NFL in sacks (4.0). In last Sunday’s loss to the Arizona Cardinals, Hunter looked like the Vikings’ best defensive player on the field, accumulating seven pressures, four hurries, three sacks, seven tackles, and an 81.2 overall PFF grade. Hunter is on pace for 34 sacks in this year’s expanded 17-game season, which would crush Michael Strahan’s record of 22.5 sacks set in 2001.

The one downside of having an elite pass rusher is that opposing offensive lines can focus all of their attention on them. However, the Vikings have pieces all along the line who have gotten to the quarterback so far this season. Defensive tackles Michael Pierce (2.0 sacks in Week 1) and Dalvin Tomlinson (1 QB hit) are playing well from the inside of the line, while D.J. Wonnum (3 tackles), Everson Griffen, and Stephen Weatherly (7 tackles, 1 TFL) are succeeding as a trio opposite of Hunter. Having four players who can get to the quarterback on every play leads to success for all three levels of the defense, something that was sorely missed by the Vikings last season. Getting Hunter back healthy (and happy) makes Minnesota a better team.

This offseason, Hunter and the Vikings agreed to a reworked deal that frontloaded the money owed to Hunter up to this season ($5.6M signing bonus, $18M roster bonus). After this season, the Vikings will have a decision to make. They can let Hunter walk in free agency, pay him $20M next season, or sign Hunter to a new deal.  My vote would be for the latter. Hunter is one of the Vikings three best defensive players and is the best defensive end Minnesota has had since Jared Allen. Depending on salary cap restraints, the Vikings should look to sign Hunter to a deal in the four-year, $110M range, similar to what the Pittsburgh Steelers just gave to star T.J. Watt (4 yrs / $112M).

Vikings’ fans are thrilled to see Danielle back on the field performing at an elite level despite the disappointing start to the season. With an extension looming in the offseason, Minnesota is hoping that Hunter continues his fast start to the 2021 season and leads to Vikings back into playoff contention.