The moves have been made to turn the Vikings defensive liabilities into a strength in the upcoming season. The addition of Dalvin Tomlinson at the defensive tackle spot is going to give the Vikings more bite when defending the run. The addition of Patrick Peterson at cornerback gives Minnesota more talent and skill in coverage.

 Since both of these areas have been major weaknesses for the past two seasons, there’s every reason to believe that a big improvement will be made in 2021.

But there is one factor that is far more important than the additions of Tomlinson and Peterson. That’s the return of edge rusher Danielle Hunter.

While the Vikings have reconvened for their Organized Training Activity, Hunter is not on the scene. After missing the 2020 season as a result of disc surgery in October, multiple reports have indicated that Hunter has returned to game condition and is capable of practicing with his team.

However, there is no proof of that supposition since Hunter has not been with the team to this point. After missing a full season of competition, getting back on the practice field is clearly a positive step for Hunter, the coaching staff and the team.

But Hunter has not favored the team with an appearance. It could be a concern about his health and not wanting to do too much, too soon. If that’s the case, it is a smart approach to take. A 17-game season looms, and prior to that, minicamp from June 15 to 17 and then a challenging training camp. There are plenty of opportunities to get work in.

But rumors persist that Hunter is not happy with his contract. While he has not spoken for the record on his contract status, a strong argument can be made that the Vikings have gotten the better end of the deal that Hunter signed in 2018. He was the beneficiary of a five-year, $72-million extension, and he rewarded the Vikings with 14.5 sacks in both that season and 2019.

Game-changing edge rushers get more than Hunter. Eight edge rushers in the NFL are scheduled to earn more than the $12.15 million Hunter is scheduled to be paid in salary in 2021, per Spotrac. Frank Clark of the Kansas City Chiefs is the highest-paid edge rusher with an $18.5 million salary, while Von Miller of Denver Broncos is under contract to earn $17.5 million and DeMarcus Lawrence will earn $17 million..

Nobody is going to feel sorry for Hunter at his rate of pay, but a good case can be made that he is the most productive pass rusher in the game when he is healthy.

General manager Rick Spielman and head coach Mike Zimmer certainly expect Hunter to perform, starting with the minicamp, but they also know that nothing is guaranteed.

If Hunter does not show up, they still need their defense to improve quite a bit from the poor showing it had in 2019 and 2020. They are going to have to find a way to put more pressure on opposing quarterbacks, something that was missing badly last season. Jalyn Holmes, who is the likely backup to Hunter at right defensive end, did not have a sack last season.

Stephen Weatherly had 3.0 sacks in 2018 and repeated that effort in 2019 for the Vikings, but couldn’t register even one last season in nine games with the Carolina Panthers. Even if he improved off his previous efforts with Minnesota, expecting more than 6.0 sacks would be unrealistic.

Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks are the Vikings’ two best linebackers, but they are not big-time pass rushers. Neither player has ever exceeded more than 4.0 sacks in a season, and producing more than that seems unlikely.

Zimmer and his coaching staff have to figure out a plan to produce more pressure from the defenders that are going to be wearing Vikings uniforms this year. If it includes Hunter, it should be fairly easy. If it doesn’t, it appears to be a gameplan that has just a small chance for success.