ESPN’s Adam Schefter Tosses a Curveball at the Vikings
Well, count this one as unexpected.
Veteran pass rusher Jonathan Greenard is generating trade interest. Other teams wanting to bring him aboard isn’t shocking; every team covets high-compete, physical pass rushers who offer great leadership. What is surprising is that the Vikings are open to the move, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Consider the word: “Vikings are now open to trading Pro Bowl edge rusher Jonathan Geeenard [sic], per sources. They would like to keep Greenard, but they also have salary cap issues they’re working through that have led to these trade conversations.”
Adam Schefter Says Vikings Open to EDGE Trade
If, in theory, Jonathan Greenard does get moved out, then the Vikings will move ahead with a new top tandem: Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner.
A Van Ginkel and Turner twosome wouldn’t be without its merits. Few, if any, defenders in the NFL are as versatile and smart as Van Ginkel. He’s an explosive athlete who does essentially everything well. Turner has some of that versatility in him, as well, but he has less experience. Does the near future involve simplifying matters so that Turner can pin his ears back to rush the passer?
No doubt, Minnesota needs to get the finances figured out, but a restructure appeared to be the path forward for Mr. Greenard. Opting for that approach would mean being able to liberate close to $13 million in cap space (to the detriment of the future budget).
A trade, in contrast, would involve freeing $12.25 million for 2026 without the same pain for the future (OTC). The cap space in 2027 and beyond would be tidier. Plus, there would be added draft picks.
In the past, elite pass rushers have demanded huge returns in trades. Consider, for instance, the recent swap between the Packers and the Cowboys. Getting Micah Parsons to Wisconsin meant forfeiting a pair of 1st-Round selections and DT Kenny Clarke. Not cheap.
Greenard isn’t the player that Parsons is — only Myles Garrett is in the same vicinity — but that’s a rough guide.
Minnesota’s asking price is something in the 2nd or 3rd, per Jeremy Fowler: “Teams I’ve talked to believe Minnesota wants a Day 2 pick for Greenard.” Fowler’s update helps, but Day 2 is quite the range. Both the No. 35 pick and the No. 95 pick arrive on Day 2, so keep this reality in mind.
The former Texan arrived in town after Minnesota pivoted away from Danielle Hunter in the 2024 offseason.
Landing the all-effort pass rusher meant sending over a four-year deal for a total compensation commitment coming in at $76 million. The $19 million annual average is modest for an EDGE1, albeit one who isn’t elite. Any chance the defender is looking for a raise?
He’s coming off a poor season by his high standards. Part of the problem was injury, limiting him to a dozen games with just ten starts. Worse yet, there were a lot of “almost sacks,” plays where Greenard got into the backfield but didn’t bring the QB down. He finished the year with just 3 sacks a year after piling up 12.
No doubt, the Vikings are a better team with Jonathan Greenard doing his thing, but Minnesota is embracing change. Already, there has been a public move to trade away DT Javon Hargrave and RB Aaron Jones, veterans coming off a year where each underperformed. Failing to find a dance partner will mean cutting each talent.
Greenard mirrors Hargrave and Jones insofar as he’s also coming off a less-than-stellar season.
In May, Jonathan Greenard will arrive at his 29th birthday. He comes in at 6’3″ and 259 pounds. Greenard isn’t the world’s best athlete, but he plays with an unusual degree of hustle and toughness, making him well-suited to life in the trenches of NFL football.
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