Vikings Could Sign Young Pass-Rusher Over Danielle Hunter, Insider Says
Minnesota Vikings edge rusher Danielle Hunter is enjoying a career renaissance, leading the NFL in sacks under the direction of defensive coordinator Brian Flores, but his future remains uncertain.
Hunter has 13.5 sacks in 12 games going into the Vikings’ Week 13 bye and is proving he is the superstar he was expected to be when he became the youngest player to reach 50 career sacks in NFL history in 2019.
Hunter’s camp, however, will work hard to position him as one of the highest-paid stars at his position in the offseason as he becomes a free agent in 2023, given his potential to lead the league in sacks. As a result, the Vikings must decide if they are prepared to provide the 29-year-old a lucrative contract.
Star Tribune reporter Ben Goessling isn’t sold they are and could see Minnesota going another direction: re-signing fourth-year edge rusher D.J. Wonnum.
“I don’t know if they will pay a player going into his age 30 season what Danielle Hunter will want to be paid. D.J. Wonnum could be a more affordable alternative,” Goessling said on a November 30 episode of the “Access Vikings” podcast. “Is he the top edge rusher on this team if you want to build a formidable pass rush? I don’t know about that. But he certainly has been better I think, if Brian Flores is back, he fits well. He’s younger he’s the type of player they would like to sign. If they think it’s affordable, I could see it.”
Vikings, Danielle Hunter Couldn’t Come to Terms on Long-Term Extension in Offseason
GettyOutside linebacker Danielle Hunter (left) and teammate D.J. Wonnum (right) of the Minnesota Vikings.
Let’s be clear, Wonnum is not the same caliber of player to replace Hunter.
With 6.0 sacks, Wonnum leads the club and has mostly seen an increase in playing time as a result of Marcus Davenport’s injury. Wonnum is not a top-tier pass-rusher, but he is a good rotational player who should be given consideration for re-signing in the winter.
He is one of numerous players who are prospering under Flores’ plan, which has made Josh Metellus and other supporting players into stars. That raises the question of whether the Vikings could continue to bolster their defense by matching Wonnum with a free-agent pass-rusher who is more reasonably priced rather than overspending on Hunter.
