I'm with yah Danielle...
Danielle Hunter, headed to free agency, reiterated that he wants to return to the Vikings.
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) January 7, 2024
"I'd love to be here. This is all I know. I've been here my whole career."
Vikings can't franchise tag him, and he'll be negotiating off a 16.5-sack season. Pass rush an NFL premium.
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
Aaron Schatz predicted that Minnesota will allow superstar edge rusher Danielle Hunter to leave in free agency.
From ESPN: The Vikings will allow edge rusher Danielle Hunter to leave in free agency despite the fact he set a career-high with 15.5 sacks in 2023. Hunter's cost will be too expensive going into his age-30 season (likely over $20 million per year), and Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah will look to get younger on defense.That would be an understandable decision by the Vikings.
Hunter's value will never be higher than it is right now after coming off a season where he totaled 16.5 sacks and four forced fumbles.
But as Schatz notes, Hunter will turn 30 next season. And he missed all but seven games from 2020 to 2021. That injury history combined with his age would make it tough to commit to giving Hunter a lucrative longterm contract.
Hunter, who can't be franchised tagged by the Vikings this offseason because of the contract he signed last offseason, said on Sunday after Minnesota's loss to the Detroit Lions that he'd love to stay with the Vikings.
Hunter might have to give the Vikings a discount if he's going to stick around in Minnesota.
https://atozsports.com/minnesota/espn-predicts-vikings-will-lose-key-player-news/
unfortunately they made this decision a year ago.
which is exactly why he should have been moved in season. even if you only got day 2 picks, they needed to get something from him.
@"JimmyinSD" said: which is exactly why he should have been moved in season. even if you only got day 2 picks, they needed to get something from him.They needed to stay competitive though. Remember?
@"kmillard" said:Super Competitive 7-10!@"JimmyinSD" said: which is exactly why he should have been moved in season. even if you only got day 2 picks, they needed to get something from him. They needed to stay competitive though. Remember?
They can let him walk but then they have to replace him. Is $20M/year too expensive for a DE/OLB like Hunter or is it because of his age and injury history? The Jags and Panthers have younger players (Allen and Burns) who may hit FA, but they are going to be vey expensive. It may be the most important position on defense and may be the hardest to fill. We have a very good player at that spot now. Are we sure we want to create a hole there?
@"JimmyinSD" said: which is exactly why he should have been moved in season. even if you only got day 2 picks, they needed to get something from him.They will likely get a competitive balance pick after the 3rd round, but easily would have gotten a 2nd from a competitive team one would think.
@"dadevike" said: They can let him walk but then they have to replace him. Is $20M/year too expensive for a DE/OLB like Hunter or is it because of his age and injury history? The Jags and Panthers have younger players (Allen and Burns) who may hit FA, but they are going to be vey expensive. It may be the most important position on defense and may be the hardest to fill. We have a very good player at that spot now. Are we sure we want to create a hole there?how about 27 million, I have seen his projected contracts start at 22million and go up to 27 million, and the range from 3 to 4 years. typically around 40 million guaranteed, and we all know how the story goes once the guaranteed money runs out, wash rinse repeat.
Hunter has been a good player but the money for a guy going on the wrong side of 30, might be time to think younger.
Pay the man his money.
@"dadevike" said: They can let him walk but then they have to replace him. Is $20M/year too expensive for a DE/OLB like Hunter or is it because of his age and injury history? The Jags and Panthers have younger players (Allen and Burns) who may hit FA, but they are going to be vey expensive. It may be the most important position on defense and may be the hardest to fill. We have a very good player at that spot now. Are we sure we want to create a hole there?It's weird how easy some think this is.
@"purplefaithful" said: Aaron Schatz predicted that Minnesota will allow superstar edge rusher Danielle Hunter to leave in free agency.From ESPN: The Vikings will allow edge rusher Danielle Hunter to leave in free agency despite the fact he set a career-high with 15.5 sacks in 2023. Hunter's cost will be too expensive going into his age-30 season (likely over $20 million per year), and Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah will look to get younger on defense.That would be an understandable decision by the Vikings. Hunter's value will never be higher than it is right now after coming off a season where he totaled 16.5 sacks and four forced fumbles. But as Schatz notes, Hunter will turn 30 next season. And he missed all but seven games from 2020 to 2021. That injury history combined with his age would make it tough to commit to giving Hunter a lucrative longterm contract. Hunter, who can't be franchised tagged by the Vikings this offseason because of the contract he signed last offseason, said on Sunday after Minnesota's loss to the Detroit Lions that he'd love to stay with the Vikings. Hunter might have to give the Vikings a discount if he's going to stick around in Minnesota. https://atozsports.com/minnesota/espn-predicts-vikings-will-lose-key-player-news/
If they don't want to commit big money to Hunter for age and injury history concerns, then wouldn't the same logic apply to Cousins? If you take away Hunter, release Harry, let a lot of the underperforming Defensive Free Agents walk, then you are in a full rebuild which is why it makes zero sense to resign Cousins IMO. What concerns me is that the Vikings will be in the same position as the Wild in 2024 if they decide on the full rebuild youth movement. $15 million in dead cap for Hunter, and $28.5 million in dead cap for Cousins. That definitely hurts what you can do in Free Agency to fill holes.
@"TBro" said:@"purplefaithful" said: Aaron Schatz predicted that Minnesota will allow superstar edge rusher Danielle Hunter to leave in free agency.From ESPN: The Vikings will allow edge rusher Danielle Hunter to leave in free agency despite the fact he set a career-high with 15.5 sacks in 2023. Hunter's cost will be too expensive going into his age-30 season (likely over $20 million per year), and Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah will look to get younger on defense.That would be an understandable decision by the Vikings. Hunter's value will never be higher than it is right now after coming off a season where he totaled 16.5 sacks and four forced fumbles. But as Schatz notes, Hunter will turn 30 next season. And he missed all but seven games from 2020 to 2021. That injury history combined with his age would make it tough to commit to giving Hunter a lucrative longterm contract. Hunter, who can't be franchised tagged by the Vikings this offseason because of the contract he signed last offseason, said on Sunday after Minnesota's loss to the Detroit Lions that he'd love to stay with the Vikings. Hunter might have to give the Vikings a discount if he's going to stick around in Minnesota. https://atozsports.com/minnesota/espn-predicts-vikings-will-lose-key-player-news/
If they don't want to commit big money to Hunter for age and injury history concerns, then wouldn't the same logic apply to Cousins? If you take away Hunter, release Harry, let a lot of the underperforming Defensive Free Agents walk, then you are in a full rebuild which is why it makes zero sense to resign Cousins IMO. What concerns me is that the Vikings will be in the same position as the Wild in 2024 if they decide on the full rebuild youth movement. $15 million in dead cap for Hunter, and $28.5 million in dead cap for Cousins. That definitely hurts what you can do in Free Agency to fill holes.
I think it's the other way around. It's all about the QB. If for whatever reason they are unable to come to terms with Cousins, that will flip the rebuild switch and they likely won't try to resign Hunter.
@"JimmyinSD" said: which is exactly why he should have been moved in season. even if you only got day 2 picks, they needed to get something from him.They got a hell of a season out of him.
@"AGRforever" said:and they are home for the holidays as a result, now they get almost nothing in return ( what will likely be a 3rd round pick in 2025) so essentially a 4th rounder this year. Got to think they could have gotten a 2nd or 3rd this year, and if they couldnt.... is he really worth the crazy money that is being bantered about?@"JimmyinSD" said: which is exactly why he should have been moved in season. even if you only got day 2 picks, they needed to get something from him. They got a hell of a season out of him.
Free agency starts a little over two months from now. Unless the Vikings want to lock up Hunter, or Kirk for that matter, prior to f.a., both are going to get to test the market and any contracts will be in competition with whatever other teams may make offers to them.
The idea that either of them are a lock to return is not realistic imo.
Sounds to me like both Cousins & Hunter would like to return, usually that’s a positive step in making it actually happen…
@"Kentis" said: Sounds to me like both Cousins & Hunter would like to return, usually that’s a positive step in making it actually happen…Like to return, but on what terms... its easy for both sides to say they want the same thing when they aren't at the negotiating table, this is all about saving face on both sides if this doesn't come to fruition.
@"MaroonBells" said:@"TBro" said:@"purplefaithful" said: Aaron Schatz predicted that Minnesota will allow superstar edge rusher Danielle Hunter to leave in free agency.From ESPN: The Vikings will allow edge rusher Danielle Hunter to leave in free agency despite the fact he set a career-high with 15.5 sacks in 2023. Hunter's cost will be too expensive going into his age-30 season (likely over $20 million per year), and Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah will look to get younger on defense.That would be an understandable decision by the Vikings. Hunter's value will never be higher than it is right now after coming off a season where he totaled 16.5 sacks and four forced fumbles. But as Schatz notes, Hunter will turn 30 next season. And he missed all but seven games from 2020 to 2021. That injury history combined with his age would make it tough to commit to giving Hunter a lucrative longterm contract. Hunter, who can't be franchised tagged by the Vikings this offseason because of the contract he signed last offseason, said on Sunday after Minnesota's loss to the Detroit Lions that he'd love to stay with the Vikings. Hunter might have to give the Vikings a discount if he's going to stick around in Minnesota. https://atozsports.com/minnesota/espn-predicts-vikings-will-lose-key-player-news/
If they don't want to commit big money to Hunter for age and injury history concerns, then wouldn't the same logic apply to Cousins? If you take away Hunter, release Harry, let a lot of the underperforming Defensive Free Agents walk, then you are in a full rebuild which is why it makes zero sense to resign Cousins IMO. What concerns me is that the Vikings will be in the same position as the Wild in 2024 if they decide on the full rebuild youth movement. $15 million in dead cap for Hunter, and $28.5 million in dead cap for Cousins. That definitely hurts what you can do in Free Agency to fill holes.
I think it's the other way around. It's all about the QB. If for whatever reason they are unable to come to terms with Cousins, that will flip the rebuild switch and they likely won't try to resign Hunter.
Yah, it starts with KC...If that goes South? The full re-build is on.
@"comet52" said: Free agency starts a little over two months from now. Unless the Vikings want to lock up Hunter, or Kirk for that matter, prior to f.a., both are going to get to test the market and any contracts will be in competition with whatever other teams may make offers to them.The idea that either of them are a lock to return is not realistic imo.
That's the issue. The Vikings can't wait to sign either one of them until the league year starts which is March 13th at 4pm. That will kick in their dead cap for 2024. You either sign them before the league start date when teams have exclusive rights starting March 11th at Noon, or you let them walk.
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