Amid Trade Buzz, Danielle Hunter Continues to Rack Up Sacks

This offseason, the Vikings and Danielle Hunter worked out a deal that would keep the three-time Pro Bowler in Minnesota on a one-year, $17 million contract. The Vikings got their best pass rusher back, ending a holdout that lasted several months. Hunter got a bag and the opportunity to hit free agency next spring.

During a disappointing start to the season for the Vikings, Hunter's name has started to pop up as an obvious trade candidate if the team were to shift into sell mode. There have been reports that the Jaguars have interest in Hunter and that the Vikings are listening to trade calls regarding him and a couple other players.

As a proven star at a premium position, Hunter — who turns 29 in a couple weeks — could theoretically return some value in a deal, even on an expiring contract. Amid the uncertainty about what his future holds, all he's done this season is continue to shine as the Vikings' best pass rusher. With two sacks against the Bears on Sunday, he's currently tied with the Steelers' T.J. Watt for the NFL lead with eight sacks in six games — and his 11 total tackles for loss leads the league.

Hunter also forced a Fields interception late in the first half by hitting him while he released the ball. The Bears tried to block him with a running back on the play, which was a bad idea.

The @Vikings defense gets an INT of their own right back. @JordanHicks

📺: #MINvsCHI on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/B4mQvLOt8O pic.twitter.com/CJFYhvV1al
— NFL (@NFL) October 15, 2023

"He’s always a huge part of the game plan going into it," Jordan Hicks said. "We try to get him the best matchup possible, and it showed. He’s a dominant force. He’s out there making plays. The interception happened because he gets his hand on the ball. That’s who he is. He’s a game-wrecker. He’s the kind of guy you want on your side."

Hunter has had at least one sack in five of six games this season, including three against the Eagles and two against the Bears. Despite actually having the lowest PFF grade of his career thus far, his impact has been noticeable each and every week. He's on pace for 22.5 sacks, which would crush the career-high of 14.5 he set in 2018 and matched the following year. He's also one sack away from 80 for his career, which would pass Everson Griffen for seventh in franchise history. Jared Allen (85.5) is also well within reach this season.

Hunter missed all of 2020 and more than half of 2021 due to separate injuries, then finished with 10.5 sacks in 17 games last season after switching from 4-3 defensive end to 3-4 outside linebacker. Now he's thriving in Brian Flores' aggressive scheme.

"I thought yesterday Danielle showed up even much more so than his two sacks," Kevin O'Connell said on Monday. "He was really active on the edge, physical, explosive. Danielle’s a huge part of our defense, whether we’re just rushing four, trying to get him 1-on-1s, or we're sending pressures. And where we have him in the pressure, what gap we have him hitting, moving him around the front — he’s an integral part, and will continue to be so, of (Flores') plan going into each and every game. I think it’s been critical to have him back, and we’re very, very fortunate that we have him in there."

If the Vikings are able to get back into the postseason mix, Hunter will be a huge part of it. At the same time, if they lose their next two games, they could consider moving him before the deadline, given how strong his value is right now.

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