According to NFL.com, Danielle Hunter has signed a renegotiated contract.
The Pioneer Press’ Chris Tomasson originally pointed out that the site had listed Hunter as a player who signed a renegotiated contract under NFL Transactions.
This is somewhat surprising news for Vikings fans, considering Hunter was still under contract, and the team has plenty of other pressing matters to handle this offseason, in order to make sure talent either signs or re-signs. However, assuming the restructure is for less money, then it makes perfect sense.
Hunter originally had $10.9 million in base salary become fully guaranteed. That’s already a steep price to pay, but Hunter has earned it with his performance. He has tallied 14.5 sacks for two consecutive seasons. He also has 54.5 career sacks. To make matters better for the Vikings, he’s only 25 years old.
What’s weird about this move isn’t that Hunter is undeserving, but that so many other players need to be signed. And so many players have left.
Defensive end Everson Griffen announced on his Instagram that he will not be returning to the Vikings free agency. It would have been nice for the team to lock him down, but maybe the Vikings will pursue defensive end talent in free agency. At least Hunter is locked down for the foreseeable future, and that bodes well for the Vikings defensive line.