From the beginning of this off-season, the expectation was that despite a 13-4 season, the Vikings would be moving on from a number of core, marquee players based on a combination of age, salary cap hit, and declining production. Players like Eric Kendricks, Adam Thielen, Dalvin Cook, and Harrison Smith headlined that list of players.
And with the news of Dalvin Cook’s pending release on Friday (they’re still trying to trade him last minute), the Vikings have moved on from all but Harrison Smith, who accepted a substantial pay cut to remain with the Vikings.
But news yesterday that the Vikings are fielding calls to trade Danielle Hunter caught some by surprise, especially after trading Za’Darius Smith, while the only significant extension the Vikings have completed this off-season is with Alexander Mattison and (to a lesser extent) fullback CJ Ham.