The Chiefs could boost their defense with a trade for star pass-rusher Danielle Hunter, who may be butting heads with his current team.
At this point in the offseason, who hasn’t been linked to the Kansas City Chiefs?
The Super Bowl-winning side has been named a potential landing spot for yet another top player: Minnesota Vikings’ Danielle Hunter.
Ever since the Vikings reportedly started shopping Hunter a few days ago, the star pass-rusher has been speculated to join a handful of teams. Vikings Wire named the Chiefs as a top destination given Frank Clark’s departure, albeit any trade for Hunter would likely require sizeable draft compensation.
Vikings Wire’s Tyler Forness wrote:
Not only will they have to give up significant [draft] capital for Hunter, but they will also have to compensate him more than the $4.9 million he is slated to make this year.
Having drafted two first-round edge-rushers in the past two years, one may not think the Chiefs want to invest even more at the position. But Kansas City may at least consider the idea of a trade for Hunter — it doesn’t hurt to make a call, anyway.
Danielle Hunter’s rumored destination is the Chiefs
The primary roadblock in any future trade would be Hunter’s contract. The Chiefs, needing to free up cap space before taking on Hunter’s salary, may have to extend key pieces like Chris Jones first.
Hunter has performed as a reliable defensive end over his past eight seasons in the league and could earn an immediate starting role opposite Jones. Is acquiring Hunter worth all the trouble, though?
Heading into the 2023 season, Kansas City has a few young pass-rushing pieces the team would probably like to see take on larger roles, including 2022 first-rounder George Karlaftis and rookie Felix Anudike-Uzomah. Bringing on Hunter only for him to serve as a stopgap to help their developmental players transition into proven starters feels a bit like overkill, so the value of trading for Hunter may not be completely there.
Then again, as the saying goes, defense wins championships. The Chiefs took an expected but tough blow from Frank Clark’s departure and may be eyeing extra pass-rushing depth for another Super Bowl run.