The Minnesota Vikings are open to trading Danielle Hunter, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, ESPN reported Saturday, although head coach Kevin O’Connell says he has been keeping in touch with the disgruntled outside linebacker.
Hunter, who will be playing in his eighth NFL season, will make $5.5 million after the team restructured his deal to move up money to him in 2022, per previous reports. He wants a new contract after signing a five-year, $72 million extension in June 2018.
He skipped the team’s mandatory minicamp in June as well as the beginning of training camp late this month.
Hunter registered 10 1/2 sacks last season as he was named a Pro Bowler for the third time in his last four seasons played (he missed entire 2020 season with neck injury). He has 71 career sacks and has registered 10 or more four times in his seven seasons, all with the Vikings, who made him a third-round draft pick in 2015.
O’Connell said Saturday, via NFL Media, that he remains hopeful for a resolution.
“We’re still kind of in that ongoing process,” O’Connell said. “I’m having daily dialogue personally with him. My hope is we continue to work towards (finding common ground) over the course of a long training camp. He’s played a lot of football, he’ll be ready to go.”
–Field Level Media
