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According to reports, Danielle Hunter is investigating his options outside of the Vikings while Minnesota chases after the Saints’ edge rusher, Trey Hendrickson.
It seemed inevitable that reports of Danielle Hunter’s « misfortune » with his contract would surface sometime after Ian Rapoport leaked an ultimatum. Jäger’s agents have been pressuring the Minnesota Vikings since October.
# Viking star Danielle Hunter is undergoing surgery to get rid of a herniated disc and is knocking him out for 2020, according to me at & @TomPelissero. MIN has a decision this off-season: make Hunter the highest paid defender in football or swap him out. Did we see the last of him in a Viking uniform?
With the start of the free agency on Monday, Jäger’s camp took the opportunity to up the ante in the contract dispute.
Chad Graff from Athletic reported that Hunter » remains dissatisfied with its current situation with the Vikings and is exploring all options, including a trade request, « according to his sources.
While Jäger’s camp is pushing for a new contract, Minnesota was interested in two different pass rushers even before Graff’s report proclaimed.
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Pioneer press reporter Chris Tomasson reported that the Vikings have expressed an interest in the defensive end of the Trey Hendrickson free agent team, « which last season played for the New Orleans Saints.
The 26-year-old Hendrickson scored 13.5 sacks in his first season as a starter last season, finishing third in the 2020 NFL. He succeeded in doing this despite playing only 53% of the defensive snaps for a total of 558 downs. Through Cap’s evaluation of Hendrickson projects, he should receive an average annual salary of $ 8.9 million for free hand at the ballpark.
Minnesota also sent an offer to Cincinnati Bengal’s defensive end, Carl Lawson, via Judd Zulgad. Lawson, who has been a constant contributor since his rookie year 2017 but was part of a troubled Bengali defensive front, counted 5.5 sacks in 2020. It’s valued at $ 11.6 million a year per over the cap.
Both players are unlikely to get deals close to their valuation as this year’s freelance agency is saturated with talent as teams have more players than usual and operate below the deflated salary cap.
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Either work out a contract extension with Hunter or exchange him for draft capital. Hunter was able to guarantee at least two picks in the first round for the right team, similar to what Khalil Mack did when he left the Las Vegas Raiders for the Chicago Bears. The only dilemma preventing Hunter from justifying the same type of deal is his status, which comes from end-of-season neck surgery – which could also be a point of contention in Hunter-Minnesota contract negotiations.
At For several other teams interested in Hendrickson and Lawson, it is critically important for Minnesota to know its plans for the defensive end of the season.
What remains unclear to me is whether the Vikings are actively making the best DEs available chase for preparing for a roster without Danielle Hunter or believing they will make Hunter stay and want an elite D-line. https://t.co/W7pQNfdtM2
Ifeadi Odenigbo is also a restricted free agent and could potentially sign with a new team this week. The Vikings have until Wednesday to submit a tender that would keep him in their corner as a restricted freelance agent and likely for a future contract.
The clock is ticking, however, and if no agreement is reached with Hunter, it could The 26-year-old star can make a formal trade request or head to summer training camp.
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Ref: https://heavy.com