04-22-2018, 03:10 PM
Now that the Minnesota Vikings have extended the contract of the first of their core potential free agents, linebacker Eric Kendricks last week for $50 million for five years, negotiations for defensive end Danielle Hunter could become very interesting.
So much that it could take designating a franchise tag on Hunter if a mega-contract agreement can’t be reached.
The 6-foot-6, 240-pound Hunter, who has had 25.5 sacks in his first three seasons in Minnesota, doesn’t turn 24 until October. Talent that young is hard to find in the NFL, making Hunter’s value as a potential free agent after the coming season in the $15 million per year range. That’s more than Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen’s $14.5 million per season average.
Franchising Hunter for the 2019 season could cost the Vikings about $18 million. The team can’t afford to let him go.
Kendricks’ $50 million deal could turn out to be the least expensive of the Vikings’ other potential free agents, linebacker Anthony Barr and wide receiver Stefon Diggs.
When the Vikings open the regular season against the 49ers, the quarterbacks, Kirk Cousinsof Minnesota and Jimmy Garoppolo of San Francisco, will begin contracts totaling $221.5 million.
Pro Bowl Viking Adam Thielen’s $4.8 million per season contract ranks him 47th among the highest-paid NFL wide receivers.
https://www.twincities.com/2018/04/21/ch...chise-tag/
So much that it could take designating a franchise tag on Hunter if a mega-contract agreement can’t be reached.
The 6-foot-6, 240-pound Hunter, who has had 25.5 sacks in his first three seasons in Minnesota, doesn’t turn 24 until October. Talent that young is hard to find in the NFL, making Hunter’s value as a potential free agent after the coming season in the $15 million per year range. That’s more than Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen’s $14.5 million per season average.
Franchising Hunter for the 2019 season could cost the Vikings about $18 million. The team can’t afford to let him go.
Kendricks’ $50 million deal could turn out to be the least expensive of the Vikings’ other potential free agents, linebacker Anthony Barr and wide receiver Stefon Diggs.
When the Vikings open the regular season against the 49ers, the quarterbacks, Kirk Cousinsof Minnesota and Jimmy Garoppolo of San Francisco, will begin contracts totaling $221.5 million.
Pro Bowl Viking Adam Thielen’s $4.8 million per season contract ranks him 47th among the highest-paid NFL wide receivers.
https://www.twincities.com/2018/04/21/ch...chise-tag/
