Bears, Jaguars linked to free-agent pursuit of Vikings’ Danielle Hunter
The 2023 campaign included career highs for Minnesota Vikings edge rusher Danielle Hunter in terms of sacks (16.5), tackles (83), tackles for loss (a league-leading 23), quarterback hits (22), and quarterback pressures (41). All of this means that Hunter will be one of the most sought-after free agents available when the 2024 league year kicks up on March 13 at 4 p.m.
The 29-year-old four-time Pro Bowler’s contract may require the Vikings to use a sizable amount of their cap space to keep him, which could mean that Hunter may play elsewhere in 2024, according to ESPN NFL insiders Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler.
According to Graziano and Fowler, “I get the feeling that Danielle Hunter will be hard for the Vikings to keep here in Vegas.” “He will have a very good market; around the trade deadline, many clubs expressed interest in him.
He turned 29 in October. Chicago is quite high on Hunter and may try to acquire a pass-rusher in free agency to complement Montez Sweat. Another club to keep an eye on is the Jacksonville Jaguars, but they still need to decide what to do with Josh Allen.
First up, the Chicago Bears are going to be one of, if not the most, intriguing teams to watch in the summer. With a significant quarterback choice to make and over $40 million in salary space available, general manager Ryan Poles will probably find himself actively seeking roster additions for the Bears.
Jaylon Johnson, a 24-year-old cornerback who is an All-Pro and may be a candidate for a franchise tag, will need Chicago to make spending commitments. However, Hunter’s addition to a defense that finished the season ranked among the best in the league in terms of turnovers forced and scoring would be another offseason victory for the Poles.
As for Jacksonville, the Jaguars will have only about $15 million to work with as they enter free agency, and as Graziano and Fowler point out, keeping Josh Allen in-house will likely be their number one priority, but that may involve putting the franchise tag on the 26-year-old edge rusher who, like Hunter, set career highs in sacks (17.5), tackles for loss (17), quarterback hits (33), and quarterback pressures (46).
“The most likely scenario is Allen getting tagged and remaining with the Jacksonville Jaguars,” according to Dan Pizzuta of 33rd Team. “Teams don’t tend to let superstar players at premium positions walk away in free agency.”
