The Minnesota Vikings are currently in negotiations to retain their star edge rusher, Danielle Hunter, according to ESPN’s Dan Graziano. However, they are not the only team interested in Hunter’s services. The New York Giants, led by General Manager Joe Schoen, are also eyeing Hunter as a potential target in free agency. The Giants are particularly interested in Hunter due to his impressive performance in the 2023 season, where he recorded a career-best 16.5 sacks. Hunter’s current contract with the Vikings is a one-year deal worth $17 million, but he is expected to command a much higher salary on the open market. Spotrac projects his next contract to be worth around $20 million annually.
The Vikings have made an effort to re-sign Hunter, but the interest from other teams could drive up his price. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler suggests that Hunter could command a salary well north of $20 million per year, given his consistent production over the past four seasons. The Giants have approximately $35.3 million in cap space, which is slightly less than the Vikings’ available cap space. However, the Vikings also have to consider the impending free agency of quarterback Kirk Cousins and wide receiver Justin Jefferson, which could impact their ability to re-sign Hunter.
The Vikings are in a difficult position with Hunter’s free agency, as they are unable to use the franchise tag on him due to a clause in his contract. This means that they cannot prevent him from testing the open market. However, Hunter has expressed a desire to stay with the Vikings, which could work in their favor. The Vikings may need to prioritize re-signing Hunter over other players, even if it means letting go of Cousins or Jefferson.
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Speaking of Jefferson, he is expected to reset the market for wide receivers with his next contract. Graziano reports that Jefferson’s deal is likely to pay him more than $30 million per year, making him one of the highest-paid receivers in the league. Despite the uncertainty surrounding his contract negotiations, Jefferson remains confident in his abilities and is expected to receive a lucrative deal.
The Vikings are facing a challenging offseason as they try to retain their star players while also managing their salary cap. Hunter’s free agency is a top priority for the team, but they may need to make difficult decisions regarding other players in order to keep him. Jefferson’s contract negotiations also loom large, as he is expected to command a significant salary increase. The Vikings will need to carefully manage their cap space in order to keep their core players and remain competitive in the NFC North.
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