Danielle Hunter, Vikings Standoff Expected to End in New Contract

By Eric Strack |

Updated: May 4, 2023

As of now, the newly signed Marcus Davenport is the only happy starting-caliber OLB on the Minnesota Vikings’ roster. Za’Darius Smith has made public his desire to go elsewhere and Danielle Hunter wants a new contract.

Danielle Hunter wants a new contract

Of course, this isn’t the first offseason that Hunter has threatened to hold out for a new contract. But this time around, the 28-year-old pass rusher wants a new deal because his current contract calls for just $5 million in base salary this season.

And according to Darren Wolfson (SKOR North, KSTP) on the Mackey & Judd Podcast Thursday, it sounds like Hunter will get the new deal he is coveting. In the same breath, Doogie reiterates that Dalvin Cook is as good as gone. He declares Za’Darius Smith as a wildcard.

“I still think the Vikings end up ultimately giving Danielle some sort of raise. I see Danielle Hunter here in 2023. I continue to not see Dalvin Cook here in 2023. Za’Darius [Smith], I would say that’s the one where there is some uncertainty. I think the Vikings would love to find a way to have Za’Darius on this roster in 2023 so I think there are still some things to figure out on that front. But I do think Dalvin ends up elsewhere, I think Danielle Hunter is here.”
Darren Wolfson – Mackey and Judd

New deal would make sense for Minnesota Vikings too

Even though Hunter is set to make just $5 million in cash this season, his current contract calls for him to count $12.3 million against the cap. For that reason, a contract extension makes a lot of sense for both sides.

Danielle still has plenty of really good play left in him and should be a better player under Brian Flores, who has expressed excitement to coach Hunter. A new contract will get him the money he wants, lock in a really good pass rusher for a few seasons and lower his cap number for 2023. Seems like a win all around.

Here is the full episode of Thursday’s Mackey & Judd. Wolfson talks Hunter, Cook and Z. Smith at the 09:35 mark.