Danielle Hunter, the edge rusher for the Minnesota Vikings, is having a career comeback and leads the NFL in sacks thanks to defensive coordinator Brian Flores, but his future is still up in the air.
With 13.5 sacks in 12 games heading into the Vikings’ Week 13 bye, Hunter is living up to the hype, having became the youngest player in NFL history to achieve 50 career sacks in 2019.
However, as he could emerge as the 2023 sack leader, Hunter’s team will work hard in the summer to position him as one of the highest-paid stars at his position as he becomes a free agency. The question that arises for the Vikings is whether they are willing to give the 29-year-old a big contract.
Reporter Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune isn’t convinced and thinks Minnesota might go in a different route, possibly re-signing fourth-year edge rusher D.J. Wonnum.
“I’m not sure whether they’ll give a player who will soon be thirty what Danielle Hunter demands in compensation. Goessling stated as much in a podcast edition of “Access Vikings” released on November 30. “D.J. Wonnum could be a more affordable alternative.” If you want to develop a strong pass rush, is he this team’s best edge rusher? I’m not familiar with that. However, he has improved, in my opinion, and if Brian Flores returns, he will slot right in. Although he is younger, he is the kind of player they want to sign. I could see that if they believe it to be reasonably priced.
