Possible New Team for Danielle Hunter Takes Shape
NFL free agency gets underway in 17 days with “legal tampering,” and players can begin having conversations about new contracts with general managers.
Possible New Team for Danielle Hunter Takes Shape
The Minnesota Vikings have over 25 free agents on the docket, but none are more noteworthy than quarterback Kirk Cousins or outside linebacker Danielle Hunter.
And recent speculation suggests that if Hunter, a member of the Vikings since 2015, departs the franchise, the Jacksonville Jaguars could come calling with an alluring contract. “Voice of the Vikings” and KFAN radio show host Paul Allen said on-air this week, “Alec Lewis (The Athletic) dropped the Jaguars the other day because I can tell he’s getting his snoop on & that makes sense, & I happen to think he’s right … I’d bet here or Jacksonville.”
The rumor mill has connected Hunter to the Jaguars for a few years, so Jacksonville as his would-be next NFL home is not too surprising. The Jaguars have evidently coveted pass-rushing help for quite some time, and 2024 may be the year to finally land Hunter. We shall see.
Minnesota scooped Hunter from the 2015 NFL Draft in Round 3, a magnificent pick that has paid dividends since. He recorded a career year in 2023, his age-29 season, tabulating 16.5 sacks, a career-high. That mark also ranked fifth leaguewide, trailing T.J. Watt (19.0), Trey Hendrickson (17.5), Josh Allen (17.5), and Khalil Mack (17.0). He also led the NFL in tackles for loss.
The four-time Pro Bowler previously stated — a few times — that his goal was to remain a Viking for the rest of his career, but his comments at the Pro Bowl appeared to walk that stance back a bit. He told NFL.com about his upcoming free agency a couple of weeks ago, “Just letting everything play its course. I did my job. Everything’s in my agent’s hands and my team — and whomever it is that’s out there. My job, like I said, is to do my job. And I’m gonna make sure I stay in shape and whatever is best available for me, I’ll take that.”
These are the Jaguars’ EDGE rushers under contract in 2024:
- Travon Walker
- Yassir Abdullah
- De’Shaan Dixon
- DJ Coleman
Jacksonville can also make life easier by re-signing Josh Allen (the defender), who is a free agent like Hunter. If the Jaguars’ front office and Allen can’t reach an agreement, Allen could be franchise-tagged.
Earlier this week, ESPN listed the Los Angeles Rams as its top landing spot for Hunter in free agency.
Hunter will turn 30 in October. The Jaguars’ defense ranked 10th leaguewide in 2023 per DVOA.
Vikings Fans Not Ready for a Goodbye with QB1
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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