Minnesota Vikings pass-rusher Danielle Hunter is reportedly planning to hold out from the team’s mandatory minicamp this week. The 28-year-old is entering the final year of his contract, which he originally signed in 2018. Despite a renegotiation last year, Hunter’s future with the team remains uncertain.
Hunter’s current contract calls for him to earn a base salary of $4.9 million in 2023 with weekly roster bonuses that could total $500,000. However, as questions persist about his future with the team, Hunter skipped the voluntary portion of the Vikings’ offseason program as the sides discussed further contract adjustments. His decision to hold out from the mandatory minicamp increases the stakes of the dispute.
By skipping the mandatory minicamp, Hunter will be subjected to mandatory fines of $16,459 for the first day and $32,920 for the second, according to the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement with the NFL Players Association. It also calls into question whether he will report to training camp when it begins in late July.
Last season, Hunter returned after two years of injuries to record 10.5 sacks, even after transitioning from a 4-3 defensive end to a 3-4 outside linebacker. His performance has garnered interest from multiple NFL teams, but there have been no serious trade talks to date.
Hunter’s decision to hold out caps off a busy offseason for general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, who has accelerated a roster revamp in the second year of what he has called a “competitive rebuild.” Adofo-Mensah has bid farewell to four longtime veteran starters, including receiver Adam Thielen, running back Dalvin Cook, linebacker Eric Kendricks, and cornerback Patrick Peterson. He convinced two to take a pay cut, safety Harrison Smith, and linebacker Jordan Hicks, and traded one pass-rusher, Za’Darius Smith.
Although Adofo-Mensah did sign free agent pass-rusher Marcus Davenport to a one-year contract, his arrival was initially viewed as a replacement for Za’Darius Smith. Fourth-year player D.J. Wonnum has been working in Hunter’s spot during OTA practices.
Overall, Hunter’s holdout adds to the confusion surrounding the Vikings’ offseason. With multiple veteran starters leaving or taking pay cuts, the team’s future remains uncertain. Hunter’s performance last season and his current contract make him a valuable asset, but the dispute over his compensation leaves his future with the team up in the air.
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