Vikings Danielle Hunter secures $1 million incentive for a bizarre play in week 15 loss against Bengals

As DE Hunter sacked Tanner Hudson, the defensive end surpassed the mark of 14-sack, which was required for him to earn the final bonus.

Vikings Danielle Hunter secures $1 million incentive for a bizarre play in week 15 loss against Bengals

Danielle Hunter (Via Pro Football Network)

Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter has received the final incentive bonus but in the most unconventional way of his 2023 contract, after the team’s loss against the Cincinnati Bengals in week 15. He triggered it during the Saturday game after going after the opponent’s tight end Tanner Hudson.

What really happened on Saturday was Bengals head coach Zac Taylor executed a tricky play by putting tight end Hudson in the position to pass the ball. And Hunter with his quarterback-hunting skills, went after him and took him down for a sack.

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As defensive end Hunter sacked a non-quarterback in a bizarre play, he ended up triggering his incentive, as reported by Ben Goessling of The Star Tribune. This marked an exceptional moment in Hunter’s NFL career as he often went after the quarterbacks. He was ultimately credited for the capture by the NFL official scorer, resulting in him securing the $1 million incentive.

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Nonetheless, the Vikings’ defender earned the final incentive of his one-year contract with the Minnesota worth $20 million, which he signed earlier in July. He finished Saturday’s game recording 13.5 sacks this season. He earned $1 million for succeeding the 11-sack mark and an additional $2 million for achieving 12.5, earlier in 2023.

How did Danielle Hunter acquire the total $20 million of this contract with Minnesota?

This offseason, it was quite clear that defensive end Hunter wasn’t happy with his contract with the Vikings. Given that, the franchise appeased him by giving him a new deal that guaranteed him earning $17 million this year, along with the potential for him to earn $3 million in incentives.

Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter
Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter (Via Daily Norseman)

In the game against the Bengals, the defender succeeded in acquiring a total of $20 million this season. As the contract stated if Hunter hits 14 sacks, he would be entitled to receive $1 million in incentive. After sacking Hudson, the defensive end surpassed the mark of 14-sack, which was required for him to earn the final bonus.

With this record, Hunter is just half a sack away from surpassing Khalil Mack‘s record, in order to, lead the league. After this season, the defender would become a free agent and based on his record, he might land another lucrative contract with a contending team.

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