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The Minnesota Vikings may have already caused trouble by letting four-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Danielle Hunter leave in free agency.

Journalist La Velle E. Neal of the Star Tribune reports that if the Vikings opt not to re-sign Hunter, he might wind up playing for the Chicago Bears or the Detroit Lions, who are rivals in the NFC North. Rumor has it that Hunter’s free agency market is booming.

The prospect exists, and it would likely inflict pain on purple fans. It would imply that the dynamic defensive end signed within the division and that Hunter left as a free agency, according to an essay by Neal published on February 17.

Another great pass rusher would be a welcome addition to the rosters of Detroit’s Aidan Hutchinson and Chicago’s Montez Sweat. Additionally, Hunter would get two opportunities each season to compensate for the Vikings’ deficiencies.

According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, who reported on February 10, the Bears had a high opinion of Hunter.

The 29-year-old just tied for the league lead with 89 total tackles, 23 tackles for loss, a career-high in tackles for loss, and 16.5 sacks. The organization has the salary cap flexibility to sign him.

There were doubts about Hunter’s health after he missed half of the 2021 season with a torn pectoral and the entire 2020 season with a neck injury. But he has played in each and every game for the past two years.

Neal exerted pressure on the Vikings to extend Hunter’s deal so that the Lions and Bears couldn’t pair him with one of the league’s most formidable pass rushers.

According to what Neal stated, all it takes to remove any possibility of Hunter causing trouble for the Vikings is for them to extend Hunter’s contract.

Since Hunter is currently “on pause” from negotiating a deal with the Vikings, Neal’s request is incorrect.

Source Says Danielle Hunter Is Anticipating a Decision from the Vikings Regarding Kirk Cousins’ Trade

The Vikings have placed Hunter in a precarious position with less than a month to go before free agency begins on March 13, despite Neal’s recommendation that they give him top priority.

As per an ESPN story dated February 10, the Vikings have decided to re-sign Kirk Cousins or let the veteran quarterback go free agency before continuing with contract talks with Hunter.

Until after the NFL Scouting Combine, the Vikings are not likely to make a final decision on Cousins.

There has been no compromise despite the fact that they have had months to do so. After Cousins’ agent finds out about Cousins’ competing offers at the combine, there will likely be one last round of negotiations.

At the same time, Hunter will learn the terms of any free agency contracts he may sign, putting the Vikings under pressure to meet those terms.

With any luck, the Vikings will be able to acquire Hunter before he finds out his true worth; Pro Football Focus predicted that he would earn a $67 million, three-year deal at the combine.

Before receiving a solid offer from a team with significantly more financial room, the Vikings should sign both studs to contracts if they truly want either player.