EAGAN, Minn. -- Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter was noticeably absent from the team’s first set of OTA workouts this week at TCO Performance Center.
Hunter, 26, did not see the field in 2020 after sustaining a neck injury during Minnesota’s first day of training camp practice on Aug. 14. The Pro Bowler was sidelined for weeks with what coach Mike Zimmer initially referred to as a “tweak” before he was placed on injured reserve on Sept. 9. Hunter underwent season-ending surgery last October to repair a herniated disc.
The workouts are voluntary, and sources told ESPN the Vikings' level of concern over Hunter’s absence at this point of the offseason is not at its peak. Plenty of veterans across the league have sat out OTAs this year, but the uncertainty surrounding Hunter’s contract situation brings into question his decision not to show up in Minnesota for offseason workouts.
The day the news of Hunter’s neck surgery broke, NFL Network first reported that Hunter wanted to become the “highest-paid defender in football” or be traded during the offseason. General manager Rick Spielman said Hunter’s reported demands were never communicated to him while reiterating that Minnesota expects him to be back in 2021.
“I know from all indications from where he’s at on his rehab right now and I saw an Instagram picture of him yesterday,” Spielman said at the beginning of March. “He looked pretty good. But excited to get him here in the fold and get him going once we get started.”
Hunter signed a five-year contract extension worth $72 million with $40 million in total guarantees in June 2018. Despite his production -- he became the fastest player ever to reach 50 sacks after notching double-digit sack seasons in 2018 and 2019 -- the average annual value of Hunter’s contract is $14.4 million per year, which ranks 13th among all defensive ends.
The Los Angeles Chargers' Joey Bosa is the highest-paid defensive end at $27 million per year. Minnesota has several other extensions to consider this offseason, from safety Harrison Smith to right tackle Brian O'Neill, both of whom are entering the final year of their deals. Hunter, who is one of several Vikings veterans with a $100,000 offseason workout bonus, has a $12.15 million base salary in 2021.
It’s unclear how the Vikings could manage to execute those extensions while giving Hunter a deal north of $27 million per year. Hunter has two years remaining on his current contract, but before his injury it was widely expected Minnesota would need to rework his deal to reflect his value. Now, the Vikings have to consider their position and the risk associated with giving Hunter a new contract while not knowing how he’ll perform after undergoing surgery for a serious injury.
Hunter could show up at any point over the next month, but the Vikings aren’t anticipating his presence at OTAs. According to the CBA, if a player misses mandatory minicamp, which is set to take place June 15-17, he may be fined up to $93,085. Hunter's absence at that point would indicate a contract holdout. If Hunter does not show up for training camp, he could be fined $50,000 per day.
Hunter has not been made available to the media since April 2020. At the end of March, Vikings coach Mike Zimmer indicated he had not spoken to Hunter in recent weeks but was given information about his rehabilitation and seemed encouraged about his return.
“Well, I know he’s talked to [co-defensive coordinator] Andre [Patterson],” Zimmer said. “I have not talked to him. He’s been sending back videos of his workouts, and they’re very, very impressive. So we’re excited to get him back on the field. He’s a great team guy, he’s a terrific player, and he’s one of the best people that I’ve been around in professional football.”