The Chicago Bears already took a big swing during the 2023 NFL trade deadline to help solve their pass rush woes. Could they do it again this spring when free agency begins? According to ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler, the Bears are “very high” on Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter, who is set to hit the open market this March. Fowler also listed the Jacksonville Jaguars as a possible option as well.
The Bears know Hunter quite well, who has been with the Vikings for the entirety of his nine-year career. Hunter was a third-round pick out of LSU and quickly became an impactful pass rusher for Minnesota. Hunter has made four Pro Bowls during his career and made Second-Team All-Pro in 2018. He’s eclipsed 10 sacks in five of his last eight seasons played, including a career high of 16.5 this past season. He also tied for the league lead in tackles for loss with 23, along with Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby. In total, Hunter has 87.5 sacks, seventh-most in the NFL since the beginning of the 2015 season.
Injuries sidelined the talented edge rusher in 2020, where he missed the entire year due to a neck injury, and he missed half of the 2021 season with a torn pec. Those appear to be in the past, however, as Hunter has played in all 17 games the last two seasons and is looking to cash in once again with a big contract.
Fowler believes it will be difficult for the Vikings to retain Hunter, who signed a new one-year deal worth $20 million last offseason after holding out of the team’s early offseason programs. His one-year contract also prevents the Vikings from using the franchise or transition tag on him.
Given that Minnesota has just under $29 million in open cap space, according to Spotrac, as well as their reluctance to sign Hunter to a long-term deal last offseason, and their other upcoming decisions, such as needing to extend wide receiver Justin Jefferson, it’s very possible Hunter will be playing elsewhere in 2024. That elsewhere could be Chicago.
Adding Hunter to a defensive line that already includes Montez Sweat would be a significant boost to the Bears defense. Sweat was sensational after he was acquired from the Washington Commanders, and the two could wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks. Sweat and Hunter combined for 29 sacks during the 2023 season. The Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs circled Hunter as a fit back in late November following the Bears’ 12-10 win over the Vikings.
Though Hunter will be 30 years old in the fall, he’s shown no signs of slowing down. The question becomes: do the Bears spend big at the defensive end position once again? Sweat will count $25 million against the cap in 2024, and Hunter will be looking for a lucrative deal as well. Chicago is projected to have $49 million available in cap space heading into free agency.
Hunter will likely have other suitors assuming he hits the open market, but given the Bears’ needs and available cap space, he’s certainly an intriguing option.