Jonathan Greenard Trade Buzz Heats Up with 2 Teams
On March 3rd, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted that Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard could be made available via trade, and while no deal has materialized, the idea of Greenard’s ticket out of town isn’t dead. In fact, the Greenard trade sweepstakes could involve two teams: the Philadelphia Eagles and the Indianapolis Colts.
Philadelphia and Indianapolis have emerged as the loudest outside suitors.
That’s the word from The Athletic‘s Alec Lewis this week, with the draft five weeks away.
A Look at the Current State of the Greenard Trade Sweepstakes
The Vikings might be best served to keep Greenard, but a sweet deal could change their minds.
Lewis on Greenard Trade Partners
The Greenard trade smoke has billowed for about two weeks. Lewis updated the situation this week, saying on his podcast, “I think over the course of the last week or last two weeks, it probably seemed more imminent than it was. I would say that the Minnesota Vikings have been very clear from the outset that they are doing this on their terms. So they are not going to trade a talented player that they’ve really liked having, Jonathan Greenard, unless it makes a lot of sense for them to do that.”
“I would say the Philadelphia Eagles definitely still need edge rusher talent. I mean, they have Jalyx Hunt, they signed Arnold Ebiketie, they have Nolan Smith Jr., but to have another elite edge rusher, it’s part of the reason they were in on Jaelan Phillips. And then I think the Indianapolis Colts are kind of in a similar vein.”
It’s worth noting that Greenard has been rather silent about the recent process, perhaps adding credence to the trade theory.
The Eagles’ Angle
Hunt, Smith Jr., and Ebiketie — mentioned by Lewis — do not represent a suitable EDGE group for a team that will outwardly profess a Super Bowl-or-bust or stakes in 2026. That trio is actually rather unbecoming for a serious Super Bowl contender.
And with men like Maxx Crosby and Trey Hendrickson off the board, the Eagles are down to nubbins for EDGE help. It’s either the draft, a trade for a player like Greenard, or both.
The Eagles have their 1st-Rounder, a 2nd-Rounder, and three 3rd-Rounders, so PHI general manager Howie Roseman may be thinking two pass rushers or more before the clock hits Round 4. If he swung a deal for Greenard, his life would be easier; EDGE wouldn’t be mandatory in the draft.
Perhaps Roseman can send the 54th overall pick (2nd Round) to Minnesota and call it good.
The Colts’ EDGE Need
While Greenard would be a valuable addition to the Colts, their need for an EDGE rusher isn’t as pressing as it is for some teams.
Indianapolis has been quietly assembling a capable group. Rookie Laiatu Latu already shows significant potential as a key player, and Arden Key provides experience as a reliable starter. JT Tuimoloau flashed promise as a rookie, earning a 60.6 Pro Football Focus grade in limited snaps. Michael Clemons, Durell Nchami, and Viliami Fehoko Jr. add further depth, even if the group lacks a true game-changing disruptor.
Greenard would immediately inject energy into this EDGE group and elevate its overall performance.
However, draft capital presents a challenge. After trading its 2026 and 2027 first-round picks to the Jets for Sauce Gardner, Indianapolis’ long-term asset pool has been affected, which must be taken into account.
Here’s what the Colts have to work with in 2026:
- 2nd Round (No. 47 overall)
- 3rd Round (No. 78 overall)
- 4th Round (No. 113 overall)
- 5th Round (No. 154 overall)
- 6th Round (No. 214 overall)
- 7th Round (No. 249 overall)
- 7th Round (No. 254 overall)
Acquiring Greenard would likely require parting with the 2nd-Round pick, a potential sticking point. Trading it would further commit the Colts to an aggressive roster-building strategy that has already cost them two future 1st-Round selections.
The Draft as a Climax?
Greenard’s trade fodder felt hot and heavy in early March and during the first wave of free agency. Now, the drama has died down a bit. The draft is just five weeks away, and there’s a decent chance that he gets shipped to his new team sometime during the event, when other general managers can weigh the draftboard options in real time versus the prospect of adding Greenard, a veteran with six seasons of experience.
It’s also worth noting that Minnesota would save an extra $6 million on the salary cap this season if it traded Greenard after June 1st. By then, teams will have their pass-rushing situation figured out, but it’s more advantageous to Minnesota’s books to trade Greenard this summer.
Or — the Vikings could just keep him. It’s not the worst idea in the world to keep the best defensive player on the roster … on the roster.
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