Danielle Hunter and KJ Osborn were all smiles as they talked to a small gathering of media outlets overlooking the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium a few weeks ago.
The pair were relaxed as they took in the new surroundings and enjoyed a brief break from the strains of preparing for a new NFL campaign before pre-season training camp got underway.
“It’s my first time in Europe,” Osborn said. “Just being able to see the stadium, see all the people and the culture is super exciting. I’m going to try and invite some fans out to the game so I can’t wait to get back.”
When they return on October 4 for their week four clash against the New Orleans Saints, the atmosphere will be far more intense, the stakes far higher and the weather far colder than the sunny day which greeted them.
For Hunter, it is not the first time he has been here in London on a business trip. Last time he was here was in 2017, when the Vikings beat the Cleveland Browns 33-16 at Twickenham en route to the NFC Championship game.
“It’s a change of scenery from the last time I played here, but it looks a beautiful stadium,” Hunter says. “I’ve heard it’s pretty exciting, and I’m definitely looking forward to playing out here again and meeting all the new fans.”
Five years ago, it seemed the sky was the limit for Hunter and the Vikings.
They came within one game of the Super Bowl after one of most dramatic moments in play-off history, the Minneapolis Miracle, against the New Orleans Saints.
Hunter ended his first season as a starter with seven sacks, signed a five-year, $72million extension then backed it up by making the Pro Bowl each of the next two seasons.
The Vikings again made the play-offs in 2019 and looked to kick-on, but each of the last two seasons have ended in disappointment culminating in the departure of head coach Mike Zimmer and start of a new era.
Hunter missed the majority of the 2020 season with a neck injury before a torn pectoral muscle prematurely ended his comeback campaign.
He returns in 2021 back fighting fit, with high hopes and more motivation than ever with the Super Bowl the only game missing from his CV.
“It’s been a lot of motivation,” he says. “I’ve played in every single game from the Hall of Fame game to the game before the Super Bowl.
“I feel great. Things happen in football, injuries are going to happen and that’s part of the game.
“I’ve had the right people around me - the right teammates, right family members, right coaches and that’s all played into the process of me coming back.”
He is boosted by the arrival of another feared pass rusher opposite him, Zadarius Smith, and is taking on an increased leadership role in the locker room.
“Going into year eight, I know what I’m doing, so it’s about getting these younger guys taught up, as well as being with ZaDarius Smith, looking forward to having him out there with me and doing what we do best.
“Having that experience and being able to pass it onto the younger guys is important to me.
“Being in situations where I have to tell them, ‘ok, we need to do this, need to do that’, to just build their character and build them as players.
“That’s the only way you can do it. Younger guys coming in need our help, they can’t do it by themselves.
“Sometimes they think they know everything, but you’ve just got to keep them grounded a little bit, let them know what you’re supposed to do, what you’re not supposed to do and make the team better.”
Hunter recognises that their next stop in London could well be a crucial part of their journey back to the top. The trip across the pond is one which is seen as an inconvenience for some teams but, early on their journey as a newly formed group, it poses a big opportunity to bond and come away with a win.
“It’ll be a good change of environment,” he says. “We’re in America so much, but you get to come to Europe, see a different fanbase, different people. For the younger guys, it’s good for them to experience stuff like this.”
Amongst those young players Hunter is aiming to guide is Osborn, who was a bright spark in a disappointing 2022 season for the Vikings.
The 5th round draft pick from 2020 cemented himself as the third man at wide receiver behind star veteran Adam Thielan and young superstar Justin Jefferson.
“It’s so fun being alongside Adam, Justin and all the guys in that room,” Osborn says. “It’s a lot of fun and a lot of learning and we feel like we have a really talented group so we’re excited to be out there and show it.
“We love being there. Adam, we can ask him plenty of questions, Justin has been a big success so I just try to feed off that and bring big plays to the group.”
Early indications of life under new head coach Kevin O’Connell are promising - but a litmus test will come back here in London on October 4 against the Saints. Hunter has been around long enough to know it is performing when the season begins which is all that matters.
“I think it’s pretty good so far,” he says. “Good chemistry, being in every situation practicing at OTAs for what’s to come and everybody is getting along.
“It’s been a good time so far, we’re just ready for August and going out there to practice what we need to do in the season.”
