Vikings to Lock Up Danielle Hunter Under Current Contract

The clock is running out on the Minnesota Vikings, as it pertains to Danielle Hunter. He’s due an $18.5 million roster bonus on Sunday. So Kwesi & Co have until then to (a) extend him, (b) trade him or (c) convert that roster bonus into a signing bonus, the latter of which Danielle doesn’t have a say in.

According to Adam Schefter (ESPN) the Vikings are choosing option (d), which we didn’t think was on the list until now. They’ll pay Hunter’s roster bonus, essentially locking him into the final two years of his current contract and saving them $13 million against the 2022 salary cap.

Vikings’ DE Danielle Hunter has an $18 million roster bonus due today and, barring an unforeseen change, Minnesota plans to pay it and tie the two-time Pro Bowl selection to its team for the remaining two years on his contract, per league source.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 19, 2022

A couple things to know about Danielle Hunter’s $18M roster bonus:

—While it becomes guaranteed this weekend, he still has to report to training camp on time to earn it.

—First $6M paid w/in 10 days of camp report date.

—Vikings still have right to convert it to SB at any time

— Ben Goessling (@BenGoessling) March 19, 2022

But there have been recent reports that Hunter is unhappy with the deal Kwesi and Co have reportedly decided to keep him under. If the Vikings follow through, the ball is in Danielle’s court. He can play or he can hold out.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan