Minnesota Vikings are putting lots of effort (and money) in order to keep their defensive line, one of the best in NFL, intact. The team has announced on Thursday that they have signed defensive end Danielle Hunter to five-year, $72M extension, which includes $40 million in guarantees and a $15 million signing bonus according to NFL Network.
Vikings confirmed the deal on their social media.
Taking care of business.#Skol pic.twitter.com/MkXjJS50PD
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) June 27, 2018
“I was shaking with excitement,” – Hunter told the Vikings’ official website. “I was like, ‘Is this real?’ My body was just doing it, and I didn’t even realize I was doing it coming in here. I feel like it’s an important day for my family and me and the team. I’m really excited about it.”
Despite the big contract, the 23-year-old still aims to keep on improving.
“I just have to keep going out there and do my assignment and continue to do what the coaches tell me to do,” – Hunter added. “Just continue to improve my game. But the main thing is to continue to be me and not be anybody else.”
Danielle Hunter entered the league in 2015 when Minnesota Vikings took him in the third round of that year’s draft. Although he only started one game and played 14 in total in his rookie season, Hunter finished the year with 33 total tackles, 6.0 sacks, one pass defended and a forced fumble which got him Pro Football Writers of America’s (PFWA) 2015 NFL All-Rookie team honors. He continued to improve in each aspect of the game in the next year and is now an irreplaceable part of Vikings’ defense.
