There’s One Guy the Vikings Should Sign, and It’s Not Complicated

Dustin Baker   |  

May 1, 2026

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The Minnesota Vikings traded Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday, April 24th, transforming their top roster strength into a spot that needs a little love. And as a straightforward solution, the club should sign free-agent pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney, and call it good.

Minnesota can patch its EDGE3 problem without overthinking the market.

Free agency is seven weeks old, but Clowney remains there for the taking.

A Veteran Pass Rusher Still Makes Sense for Brian Flores

Do the thing, and secure a veteran EDGE — is our formal recommendation.

The OLB Group without Greenard

Before the draft, Minnesota was all set at outside linebacker. Fans bragged about the room; the depth was sweet. Following Greenard’s exodus, the stakes have changed.

This is the current OLB corps for defensive coordinator Brian Flores:

That is certainly enough human bodies for the regular season roster in four months, but after Batty and Chambliss, it is unclear if Stewart, Botelho, or Walker will be a part of the 53-man fun.

Interim general manager Rob Brzezinski should sign Clowney and plop him at OLB3.

Clowney’s Career Production and Price Tag

Here’s Clowney’s career resume:

For the 2025 Dallas Cowboys, Clowney played 373 defensive snaps while still managing to bank 8.5 sacks. A starting outside linebacker, for example, could play double that count, which, in theory, would plop Clowney firmly over 15 sacks.

Of course, Minnesota doesn’t need Clowney to start — it has Turner and Van Ginkel for that — but the OLB3 production has the potential to be stellar. Clowney’s next contract should pay him between $5 million and $8 million per season. He earned about $5.5 million last year.

Zone Coverage‘s Trevor Ripley on the Clowney-to-MIN scenario: “Clowney is a savvy vet. Despite being a one-year import, he offers far more skill and experience than Minnesota has at rotational edge. Behind Turner and Andrew Van Ginkel, the next two men up would likely be Tyler Batty and Bo Richter, who have combined for 24 tackles and 0 sacks in their short careers.”

“Batty or Richter could develop into impact players. Still, much like Tai Felton’s case, Batty and Richter still have a ways to go before Brian Flores trusts them with meaningful snaps, especially in the event of a serious injury to a starter. Some project that second-round pick Golday could slide down to edge at times. However, for the low, low price of a few million bucks, Clowney still feels more secure.”

Playoff-Contending Teams Need OLB Depth

The Eagles won the Greenard sweepstakes. Why did they want him? The answer is simple: the NFL’s best teams habitually stockpile EDGE rushers to surge toward the playoffs and Super Bowl. It’s just the way it goes. In fact, the Vikings’ willingness to trade Greenard is a little weird in that regard.

Still, there’s a world where Minnesota threads the needle, unable to afford Greenard, but managing to land a semi-big fish like Clowney as a consolation. It would ease the pain of losing Greenard, and truth be told, Clowney somehow plays fewer snaps in 2026 but records 5.5 sacks.

Otherwise, Flores would turn to Richter, Batty, or Stewart, hoping for the best from a player who has never shown sustainable production.

The Non-Clowney Solutions

To be clear, Clowney isn’t the only EDGE option on the wire right now. He’s probably the best, however. After Clowney, the market looks like this:

• Joey Bosa
• Cameron Jordan
• Von Miller
• Kyle Van Noy
• A.J. Epenesa
• Marcus Davenport
• Denico Autry
• Derek Barnett
• Haason Reddick
• Dante Fowler Jr.
• Leonard Floyd
• Michael Danna

Those players should start to find new homes in May, as teams evaluate their pass-rushing depth after the draft. Many didn’t get all they wanted at the EDGE spot; that happens.

Clowney turned 33 this offseason and has played for five different teams since the start of 2020. He knows the lay of the land in the NFL.

By Dustin Baker

Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His debut thriller, The Motor Route , is out now. He ... More about Dustin Baker