Contract Talks Hit Impasse but Vikings Have No Plans to Trade Danielle Hunter

Earlier this week it was reported that the Minnesota Vikings were receiving serious trade calls for Danielle Hunter, who is set to make just $5.5 million this season and wants a new contract.

From the sounds of it, however, that report did not originate from inside TCO Performance Center. According to Darren Wolfson of KSTP and SKOR North, the Vikings have no plans to trade their 28 year-old pass rusher.

“I have a very, very very very strong sense that leakage did not come from TCO performance center. It did not come from the Vikings. So we’re looking at either some other team that is hoping putting this out there required with a VIKINGS if they’re hoping this can push trade talks forward or it was Danielle‘s representation not happy with where new contract talks stand. The Vikings have had every intention, going back many many weeks, to have Danielle Hunter in purple in 2023, fully knowing that his current base salary just doesn’t float his boat. That they need to take care of him financially to get him some sort of spike up, right? But, you know, to me… this is a signal that Danielle‘s camp is not real happy with where those contract talks stand. But until I hear otherwise, I don’t think a trade is on the cusp, is imminent. Maybe we get to that point eventually, but I’m just telling you, the Vikings have every intention — right now as we sit here on June 8 — the Vikings want Danielle Hunter in purple.”

Darren Wolfson on Minnesota Sports with Mackey & Judd

So it’s clear the Vikings were hoping the Danielle Hunter contract drama would have come to a conclusion already, but must be way off with Hunter’s camp on what his compensation should be or how long a new deal should run. Still, after trading Za’Darius Smith, the Vikings appear hell-bent on making sure their other starting EDGE sticks around.

So what’s the plan for Danielle Hunter?

Wolfson goes on to say that it’s unlikely Minnesota has gotten any trade offers that have blown them away. Judd tries to float a 2nd round package (or a second rounder that can turn into a 1st) but Doogie poo-poo’s that idea and says that offers, as of now, have been more like a 3rd round pick, maybe a couple 3rds.

Now, who blinks first? Does Danielle Hunter bring his asking price down; do the Vikings push their offer up; OR does an interested team swoop in with a trade offer that includes a first or second round type package? Because which ever of those things happens first is probably the road Kwesi Adofo-Mensah ops to travel.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan