Danielle Hunter to Chicago? Some Believe It’s Possible
Josh Frey
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This past week, Danielle Hunter was a no-show at Vikings mandatory minicamp, and the reason behind that appears to be his contract. Hunter, a three-time Pro Bowler, is entering the final year of his deal in 2023, but he is set to make only $5.5 million this year, a severe underpay for a player that can be one of the best pass-rushers in the league when healthy.
As a result, there are plenty of folks pinning Hunter as the next star to be traded to a new team. However, one of the popular theorized landing spots may come as a surprise to Vikings fans: the Chicago Bears.
Trade Theories Send Danielle Hunter to the Chicago Bears
USA Today‘s Robert Zeglinski mentioned the Bears as a potential landing spot for Hunter, “Chicago is, of course, in a similar spot to the Lions, where it’d probably have to throw some additional sprinkles into any trade with a divisional opponent. But if the Bears are intent on maximizing Fields while he’s still on his rookie contract, going out on a limb for Hunter would deserve applause.”
There is reason to believe the Bears would get aggressive in order to take advantage of the final few years of their QB’s contract. He has two years left, and then his fifth-year option would kick in during the 2025 season, assuming Chicago picks it up. Maybe Chicago would be willing to overpay for a veteran pass-rusher in order to continue improving their defense.
The Bears have a combined total of three first-round picks and three second-round picks to their name in the upcoming 2024 and 2025 Drafts, so if they choose to offer a couple of these picks, it would be an enticing package. But would the Vikings be able to stomach sending a double-digit sack player to a team that they will play twice a year?
Bleacher Nation‘s Luis Medina linked Hunter to Chicago, “It is clear that Adofo-Mensah and the Vikings’ front office have no qualms about making intradivision trades. Hence, I won’t dismiss the possibility of the Bears and Vikings linking up on a deal for Hunter.”
It’s very true that the Vikings GM has not had second thoughts in regards to potentially pulling the trigger on trades with divisional rivals. We saw a number of trades during the 2022 NFL Draft with teams within the NFC North division, and then, at the trade deadline last year, the Vikings acquired T.J. Hockenson from the Detroit Lions.
Well in order to complete the trifecta, CBS Sports Jonathan Jones also decided to link Hunter to the Bears as a trade destination on Friday, “On the Bears: They absolutely have to find another pass rusher. Yannick Ngakoue is a player who would make a lot of sense there if the numbers are right. And Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has shown he has no fear about trading within the division, so perhaps Danielle Hunter could land with a division rival.”
It seems that there are plenty of folks out there with the belief that Minnesota could trade their 28-year-old Pro Bowl EDGE within the division. Ultimately, a new contract should be the hope for Vikings fans, but if the two sides land on complete opposite sides of the financial sea, then all options will have to be on the table.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.