Questions Answered: Danielle Hunter Update, Spielman on TikTok, Rookies Must Earn It

Vikings Fans
Nov 4, 2018; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter (99) celebrates a sack during the third quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by PurplePTSD. Today is the May 17th edition, addressed in a from-the-hip fashion. If you have questions, please email them to [email protected].

Also, please note: These are opinion-based responses. Some answers will be incorrect from time to time. But we’ll try to keep that to a minimum.


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Q: With Hunter at minicamp this week, is he a full go for the summer and regular season?

Danielle Hunter
Nov 4, 2018; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

A: Yes, this offseason for Hunter — both for injury recovery and contract standingis smoother than 2021.

Hunter mentioned on Tuesday that his injury this time wasn’t as grave or spooky as the 2020 neck malady. And that’s a good thing, as the franchise will pair him Za’Darius Smith in 2022, a formidable combo.

We won’t have any summer anxiety with Hunter this go-round, which is a welcome change of pace from last year. It will all be about his and Smith’s wherewithal to stay healthy this September. That’s the only risk smushing these two men together — recent injury history.

Q: Why is Rick Spielman doing all these TikTok videos?

Rick Spielman
Jun 15, 2021; in Eagen, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman looks on during drills at OTA at TCO Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Harrison Barden-USA TODAY Sports

A: This is his new thing. He’s letting his hair down.

Spielman spent 16 years as a buttoned-up Vikings executive, so now he’s revealing his quirky side. The awe of it all is that no one saw this personality turn coming.

The former Vikings boss is a little goofy and likes to have a good time. Brad Johnson does this TikTok stuff, too.

Q: Lewis Cine and Andrew Booth weren’t on the field with the first team guys at minicamp. Is that to be expected?

Clemson cornerback Andrew Booth Jr. (23) reacts after tackling Georgia Tech freshman Jahmyr Gibbs (1) during the fourth quarter in Clemson, S.C., September 18, 2021. Ncaa Football Georgia Tech At Clemson

A: They have to earn it. And this is how most NFL teams do it.

It is unlikely that Minnesota slow-rolls rookies like the Mike Zimmer regime often did. Still, especially at minicamp, the rookies will have to claw their way up the depth chart.

Overall, Cine is close to a shoo-in to start. The Vikings media train has really hyped him since his addition to the team — and he’s that damn good. Booth and Ingram will be the interesting ones. Summer will be the forum to determine if those two men start against the Green Bay Packers on September 11th.

Ingram probably will; Booth’s trajectory to start is more mysterious.


Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).

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