The Minnesota Vikings parted ways with several of their stalwarts in the offseason, and some feared that could be the case with Danielle Hunter as well.
The star pass-rusher held out from the offseason program but still reported to training camp amid a contract dispute.
The team even explored potential trade scenarios before they were eventually able to sort things out and agree on terms on a new deal.
According to NFL analyst Field Yates, the deal will give him a $5.5 million signing bonus with a fully-guaranteed base salary of $10 million, plus $1.5 million in pre-game bonuses and incentives up to $3 million, all while carrying a cap hit of $20.95 million.
Danielle Hunter's new deal with the Vikings:
Signing bonus: $5.5M
Base salary: $10M (guaranteed)
Per-game bonuses: $1.5M (guaranteed)
Incentives: Up to $3MUpdated 2023 cap hit: $20.95M
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) August 2, 2023
Simply put, that means he’s going to make at least $17 million and could make as much as $20 million in the upcoming campaign.
Hunter had already expressed his desire to be a part of the organization for the remainder of his career.
With this deal, the Vikings are now unable to use the franchise transition tag on him next offseason, meaning he’ll become a free agent for the first time in his career.
Hunter is coming off a solid season with 10.5 sacks, and he’s expected to have an even more prominent role — both on and off the field — as their defensive anchor now that both Dalvin Tomlinson and Za’Darius Smith are no longer with the team.
The Vikings enter the season with more questions than answers, but at least they’ll have one of their best players and most vocal leaders back on the field in 2023.
NEXT: Danielle Hunter Makes Strong Statement On His Vikings Future
