As Jonathan Greenard angled for a new contract, it became inevitable he would be traded. His departure to the Philadelphia Eagles, apart from any criticism about the wisdom of trading him or the return in the deal with an interim general manager in place at the time, leaves the Minnesota Vikings' edge rusher depth chart looking thin.
More specifically, the Vikings could use a dose of experience behind Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner. An addition at some point between now and the start of the season feels somewhat inevitable. If a training camp battle doesn't bear viable fruit, a move will practically become mandatory.
To that end, several veteran edge rusher options across the board of fit and appeal are out there. The opportunity to work with defensive coordinator Brian Flores is a strong selling point for anyone the Vikings might eye, but Flores will also have a significant say regarding who, if anyone, is brought aboard.
Minnesota Vikings and veteran edge rusher Joey Bosa don't seem like a great match
Bleacher Report's Alex Kay recently proposed an overlooked landing spot for some free agents who are available as training camps get rolling. Of course, he matched the Vikings with an edge rusher, but not the one who has been on the radar of a lot of people.
"Joey Bosa hasn't been able to consistently get back to the elite level he displayed during the early stages of his career, but two consecutive productive seasons with two different franchises make the edge rusher an alluring pickup at this stage of the offseason.
Many clubs would prefer to add a veteran presence to their pass-rush rotation to be better prepared for the long season ahead, but the Minnesota Vikings are one of the league's most intriguing fits for Bosa."
Bosa found the ideal role at this stage of his career last season with the Buffalo Bills, with five sacks, 47 quarterback pressures and a league-leading five forced fumbles over 15 games. He also earned a top-10 pass-rushing grade among qualified edge rushers from Pro Football Focus.
The big question regarding Bosa, entering what would be his 11th NFL season, might be his desire to play. It's fair to say his brother, 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa, can speak with some authority on that front. Back in late May, here's what Nick told Vic Tafur of The Athletic.
"He is working on his golf game. I don’t think he’s too concerned with football right now.”
To be fair, a veteran like Bosa would likely have zero desire to participate in voluntary offseason work or even mandatory minicamp. Training camp might even be something he doesn't want to, or arguably doesn't need to, do.
The timeline for Bosa to sign with a team, if he wants to, aligns nicely for a lot of teams who could be in the market for an edge rusher.
Bosa, as a situational pass rusher and little more, also wouldn't necessarily have to immediately learn the full breadth of Flores' complicated defensive scheme to be an effective player.
But the Vikings are already waiting on one accomplished veteran to decide if he will play this season. They also have (or should have) a good sense of the direction Harrison Smith is leaning, and the timeline he desires if he's going to suit up.
Bosa, on the other hand, is a mystery on that front unless they have already inquired about signing him. And if they have already inquired, why wasn't he at least brought in for a workout? Maybe Flores doesn't want him, or maybe Bosa said he's planning to retire unless a certain team (the 49ers? to play with his brother) calls.
If Bosa is not all that gun-ho to play this season, assuming his brother's words from May remain true, he probably will be very selective regarding who he signs with. The Vikings could be on his proverbial short list, but there are enough other options to add an edge rusher that they don't need to sit in limbo wondering.
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