The Minnesota Vikings decided to let Danielle Hunter go as a free agent this year, choosing not to pay the high price for a player who had become one of their top pass rushers.
Hunter then signed with the Houston Texans, eager to play in his hometown for a team that’s improving.
After two games, the unbeaten Texans lead the NFL in sack rate per pass play (16.1%) with Hunter on one end and Will Anderson Jr., the 2023 Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year, on the other.
Despite Hunter’s departure, the Vikings are still putting pressure on quarterbacks, much to the satisfaction of defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
To fill the gap left by Hunter, the Vikings brought in free agent edge rushers Andrew Van Ginkel from Miami and Jonathan Greenard from Houston. They also drafted Alabama standout Dallas Turner in the first round and added veteran Jihad Ward in free agency.
These four players have a combined salary cap hit this season similar to Hunter’s. The Vikings will face a tough challenge when they host Hunter and the Texans on Sunday, as they try to take down C.J. Stroud, the 2023 Associated Press NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
“We’ve got a bunch of guys that can all play, and we’re really using those guys,” said Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell.
The Vikings are also unbeaten, with the second-best sack rate in the league at 14.1 percent. Their group of versatile edge rushers includes fourth-year backup Patrick Jones II, who has recorded four of the team’s NFL-high 11 sacks.
