For Multiple Reasons, It Was a Good Day for the Vikings
Dustin Baker
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Monday, June 14, 2021, was supposed to be a semi-ordinary day for Minnesota Vikings news — the eve of mandatory minicamp. Would Danielle Hunter show up on Tuesday? Or would he hold out, signaling that long-reported disdain by Hunter with his contract was real?
Well, a lot of that was true. But a resolution didn’t wait for Tuesday, the commencement of minicamp.
The news leaked Monday morning that Hunter would, in fact, arrive in Eagan for camp. At the time, it was perceived as a measure of good faith. James Jones, a former Green Bay Packers wide receiver, reported this:
This was the first niblet of good news. Although Jones was considered by some a potential troll news source — see: Vikings/Packers mutual hatred — Jones is an employee of NFL Network, weakening the case that he would wilfully fling fake news out into the atmosphere.
But this news was the precursor to the main event. Three hours later, Ian Rapoport — who “started” the Hunter malcontent news cycle with an October tweet — announced that Hunter and the Vikings reached an agreement.
Money was moved up to 2021, placating Hunter’s financial concerns. The trade-off is timing. Hunter’s contract will now cease after the 2021 season, and general manager Rick Spielman will be tasked with re-signing the EDGE rusher or allowing him to hit free agency.
On the whole, the news for VikingsVille was tremendous. Hunter is the only true-blue savant of pass rush on Minnesota’s defensive line. Others can be classified as decent pass rushers, but none remotely approach Hunter’s supremacy.
The day wasn’t over, though.
About two hours later, rumors firmed up — indicating that Sheldon Richardson, who played in Minnesota during 2018, was likely returning for a sequel.
While the Vikings already have Dalvin Tomlinson and Michael Pierce to clog the middle of the defense upfront, adding Richardson provides depth and pass-rushing prowess. In some situations, Richardson will even be lined up on the edge of the 2021 defensive line — opposite Hunter.
A couple of other nuggets — that would have otherwise been decent news on a regular June day — dribbled out, too. Wyatt Davis was seen taking first-team snaps at practice.
This is notable because it is preferred by any human that watched a 2020 Vikings game that new blood is needed at guard. Davis is new blood — and Davis is not Dakota Dozier, who struggled mightily during the pandemic season. An offensive line of (LT) Christian Darrisaw, (LG) Ezra Cleveland, (C) Garrett Bradbury, (RG) Wyatt Davis, and (RT) Brian O’Neill is what the people want. Therefore, it was delightful to see Davis getting these reps.
Finally, a bit of throwaway news capped the day. The contingency plan for Kirk Cousins is nearing formality for ink on paper.
This was inevitable, but it acts as a nice cake-topper for an unusually productive day in Eagan.
Oh, and the Vikings freed up cap space with the Hunter restructure.