As the Players Step Away, the Vikings Confront 3 Humongous Money Moves
Once minicamp ends, the NFL officially enters the slow portion of the year. Between now and training camp (sometime in late July), the Vikings’ players aren’t tasked with doing too much. Hopefully, it’s a break that allows them to recharge.
As an organization the Vikings confront some major decisions, though.
Yes, the Vikings’ front office is staring down some massive contract situations that need solving. More specifically, the team’s executives are working through a trio of extension possibilities for WR Justin Jefferson, TE T.J. Hockenson, and EDGE Danielle Hunter.
The Vikings Confront 3 Major Extensions
Currently, the Vikings are working with a very healthy amount of cap space. Getting past mid-June with nearly $18 million in cap room is a nice position. However, we all know that money can disappear in a hurry in the NFL, especially if the moves end up being misguided.
Thankfully, the decision to keep Jefferson in town for years to come doesn’t look like a poor move. Quite the opposite is true. Failing to keep him around – even if it ends up costing huge money – would be a horrible decision from Minnesota’s leaders.
If the expected occurs, Jefferson will reset the receiver market, locking in both the most guaranteed money and the highest annual average. Jefferson is celebrating his 24th birthday today. As absurd as it sounds, Jefferson’s age suggests he’s still getting better.
Meanwhile, Hockenson also looks to be a supremely-valuable component of Minnesota’s present and future. The former Lion has been attending the offseason’s practices despite the uncertainty surrounding his contract. He’s carrying a cap charge just beyond $9.3 million in 2023. Afterwards, free agency (unless a deal gets done).
At 25 – his 26th birthday arrives on July 3rd – Hockenson is still staring down several years of strong play. The Vikings offense is desperate for pass catchers capable of taking the heat off of #18. The tight end arrived in a trade with the Detroit Lions, so Minnesota won’t want to simply let him walk. Giving precious draft capital to a division rival while watching the player walk in free agency not too long afterwards would be a bad look for the GM.
The tight end should have a new deal before September arrives.
The Danielle Hunter situation is far more challenging.
A touch older, the 28-year-old defender is looking for a large payday, something he deserves. Part of the problem is that his advanced age partners with a history of serious injury. Can the team really attach several years of guaranteed millions to him?
And yet the reality is that Hunter is an elite player who is holding down one of the game’s most important positions. As soon as Hunter walks out the door, the Vikings are looking to find someone exactly like him. Don’t miss that point, folks. Every single NFL team wants players like Hunter, but there just aren’t that many people like him. If he was subtracted, the Vikings would instantly be looking to get someone who can do what he did.
My best guess continues to be that Hunter remains in Minnesota, but the GM has proven that he’s not afraid of making controversial decisions. Hunter had 10.5 sacks and 12 TFLs last season.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference and Over the Cap helped with this piece.
