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Danielle Hunter: 'I want to be a Viking forever'
Vikings edge rusher Danielle Hunter talked after his first day of training camp at TCO Performance Center in Eagan following a 4-day hold-in while seeking a new contract.
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - It was a sight for sore eyes as the Minnesota Vikings took the field for their morning walk-through at TCO Performance Center on Monday.
No. 99, Danielle Hunter, was on the field with his teammates. It was his first practice since agreeing to a 1-year, $17 million deal for the 2023 season, worth up to $20 million in incentives. Hunter reported to training camp along with other veterans last week, but sat out the first four days of practice while the Vikings’ front office worked on a new deal for the standout pass rusher.
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Danielle Hunter returns to Vikings practice
Fox 9's Ahmad Hicks and Jeff Wald break down what Danielle Hunter's return to the Vikings on a 1-year deal means for the defense.
The deal became finalized Saturday night, and was announced on Sunday. Hunter is back after missing all of the Vikings’ offseason workouts, including mandatory mini camp.
"We are a better football team with Danielle Hunter, and I’m really excited about that. Great to see him back out there in the defensive huddle, and I know his teammates were excited," Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell said after morning walk-through.
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Vikings Kevin O'Connell reacts to Danielle Hunter signing
Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell reacted to Danielle Hunter agreeing to a 1-year contract with the Vikings for the 2023 season.
Hunter practiced Monday as the Vikings put the pads on for the first time at training camp. He went through individual drills and stretching before watching most of the team situations.
It ended a four-day hold-in after Hunter was not on the field, even as a spectator, for any camp workouts until Monday. It was his first day on a football field in pads with the Vikings since the end of the 2022 season.
"Just happy to be out here with my teammates, coaches and everybody. It’s been a long process, but I’m here now and I’m ready to work," Hunter said after practice. "The big thing is I’m here now for my teammates, my coaches and the organization. They need me to be myself this year, and that’s what I’m going to do."
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Viking training camp recap with Jim Rich
The Minnesota Vikings had their first day of training camp at TCO Performance Center in Eagan. FOX 9 reporters were in attendance, and Jim Rich has today’s recap.
His defensive teammates love seeing him back at practice.
"Happy, it’s always good to keep your guys here and have finalization. No more waiting, so from here we’re going up," defensive line teammate Marcus Davenport said.
"He’s a big-time guy and he’s a big leader, so having him back is an amazing feeling. Very exciting, Danielle has been a mentor to me my entire career since I’ve been here. Just having him back is big for the team, and big for me," D.J. Wonnum said.
Hunter is a three-time Pro Bowl pick, has earned First-Team All-Pro honors twice and had 10.5 sacks in 17 starts last season. He's the fastest player in NFL history to at least 50 career sacks in his first five seasons.
While away from the team in the offseason, Hunter spent four weeks in Arizona doing two-a-day workouts. He relied on his agent to negotiate a one-year contract, so Hunter could focus on his job: Playing football. It was his first offseason in three years not rehabbing an injury. He missed the entire 2020 season with a herniated disc in his neck, then more than half of the 2021 season with a torn pec.
Amid wanting a bigger pay day and trade rumors, Hunter says he never wavered on wanting to stay in Minnesota. That's despite being an unrestricted free agent next year.
"I love this organization. I’ve always been an advocate for these dudes. I’m just happy to be back, happy to get back out there on the field with my teammates and I just want to play football," Hunter said. "I want to be a Viking forever."