Report: Minnesota Vikings agree to contract extension with Danielle Hunter

With numerous players that have contracts expiring at the end of the 2018 NFL season, Rick Spielman and Rob Brzezinski have their work cut out for them when it comes to getting them all locked up. After getting linebacker Eric Kendricks locked into a five-year extension earlier this offseason, the Vikings have done the same with another young, talented defender.

Per numerous sources, the Vikings have agreed to terms of a five-year contract extension with defensive end Danielle Hunter. And, as expected for a young defensive end, it’s not going to come cheap.

Per Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, the deal is potentially worth $72 million over five years, with $40 million in guaranteed money and a $15 million signing bonus.

Hunter was the Vikings’ third-round pick out of Louisiana State in 2015, and has had a very good run with the Vikings to start his career. He led the Vikings in sacks in 2016 with 12.5, and though his sack numbers decreased in 2017, he was still fairly consistent in getting pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

This might not be Hunter’s last big contract, either. He’s still just 23 years old, and by the time this deal ends, he’ll be 28. . .which should be just about the time he’d be entering his “prime.” The $14.4 million average is right around what Hunter could have expected to get this offseason had the Vikings used the franchise tag on him, and with a big season this year that number could have increased even more.

With Hunter’s deal in the books, the Vikings will now be able to turn their attention to players like Stefon Diggs, Anthony Barr, Sheldon Richardson, and possibly even Trae Waynes. I’m glad I’m not in Rob Brzezinski’s shoes, but if anyone can get all of that done, he’s the guy that can do it.

Again, the Minnesota Vikings have agreed to a five-year contract extension with defensive end Danielle Hunter. That’s great news for the Minnesota Vikings, for Danielle Hunter, and for Vikings fans everywhere.