The Vikings Have a Financial Non-Issue and Major Issue Going into July
The Vikings have a pair of excellent players in Danielle Hunter and Justin Jefferson. Both are cornerstone players who represent tremendous value given their draft slot (88th and 22nd). Both played their college ball at LSU. Both need new deals.
Despite the similarities, there is really only one problem: how to come to a solution for Mr. Hunter. The widespread expectation is that the Jefferson extension is simply a matter of time. In fact, the GM previously referred to the need for a new deal as a “champagne problem.” In other words, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah knows Jefferson needs a new contract but he believes that’s more of a luxury than a true problem.
Hunter, on the other hand, presents a few more hurdles.
The Vikings Have Some Money Moves to Make
Let’s take care of the easier situation: the NFL’s WR1, Justin Jefferson.
Only 24, Jefferson is a still-ascending elite talent. He’s inarguably the team’s best player, a true difference maker on a weekly basis. If a defense doesn’t make a considerable effort to slow him down, Jefferson will put up major production.
The team has a couple more years of Jefferson on the books. In that sense, the urgency for getting a deal done isn’t super high. Nevertheless, both sides have acknowledged a desire to keep their partnership going.
Currently, #18 is scheduled to have a $4,175,438 cap charge in 2023 and a $19,743,000 cap charge in 2024. In all likelihood, the Vikings will seek to lower that 2024 hit with the extension, giving them more flexibility to continue reshaping the roster. Based on everything that has been said, an un-extended Jefferson by Week 1 would be surprising. Expect a deal to get done in not too long, likely soaring past $100 million (with, critically, a hefty portion guaranteed).
The young phenom had 128 catches, 1809 yards, and 8 touchdowns last season while averaging 14.1 yards per catch. Spectacular.
Hunter’s situation is far more complex.
He’s holding out because he’s only scheduled to make $5.5 million in real money for the upcoming season. As an elite edge rusher, that’s a very small amount. Hunter is likely closer to the end of his career than the beginning, so he very reasonably wants to snag significant money while he still can.
A lesser-explored solution involves eschewing an extension in favor of a short-term deal that beefs up his new money in the upcoming season.
The basic idea would be to increase his compensation in 2023, raising things to a level that’s in-line with his level of play. From there, Hunter could venture into free agency next offseason. Once the market has had a chance to set his price, perhaps Hunter and the Vikings could reach a middle ground that keeps him in a purple uniform.
The benefit for Minnesota rests in being able to avoid guaranteeing several years of major money to an older edge rusher who has a history of significant injuries. The team could secure his services for the upcoming year, allowing them to still have an outside shot at taking a major step forward on defense. Meanwhile, Hunter gets added cash and the chance to sign a huge deal next year. Not a perfect solution, but it’s at least something that’s in play.
Indeed, that’s merely one path forward. Hunter needs to do what’s best for him and the team needs to do what’s best for the team. Ideally, those two things can be reconciled.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference and Over the Cap helped with this piece.
