The 2023 campaign marked 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 off 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 in order 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, multiple teams 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 team to keep an eye on is the Jacksonville Jaguars, though they still need to decide what to do with Josh Allen.
With a significant quarterback decision 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. Chicago will have to pay to retain 24-year-old cornerback Jaylon Johnson, an All-Pro.
With only roughly $15 million to work with when they hit free agency, the Jaguars in Jacksonville will likely prioritize keeping Josh Allen on staff. However, as Graziano and Fowler point out, this could mean applying the franchise tag to 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).
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