Back in March, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the Minnesota Vikings were open to trading veteran edge rusher Jonathan Greenard, but they don't necessarily want to. Greenard, wanting a pay raise, has naturally shortened the list of potential trade suitors, especially coming off a down 2025 season, and the Vikings certainly have their reasons for hesitation to trade him.
At this point, the Vikings doing something to adjust Greenard's contract with two years left on it is far more likely than a trade. But, as always, regarding potential moves, we can never say never.
With eyes beyond next week's draft, Moe Moton of Bleacher Report has offered 10 notable players who could be traded or cut after the proceedings in Pittsburgh.
Greenard, of course, made the list.
Timing for Jonathan Greenard trade talk to possibly ramp back up for the Minnesota Vikings is obvious
Moton noted how Greenard is not far removed from back-to-back 12-plus sack seasons in 2023 and 2024, and how that should be enough to "fetch a mid-round pick" in a trade. Back in March, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported the Vikings were believed to want a Day 2 draft pick in a Greenard trade.
"Assuming Greenard has a solid trade market, Minnesota may be waiting for suitors to up the ante on compensation during the draft. Clubs that need an edge-rusher but pass on prospects at the position will be primary candidates to acquire a veteran next week."
"Also worth noting: the Vikings can save $12.3 million in cap space by trading Greenard. He may be expendable after 2024 first-rounder Dallas Turner registered eight sacks in a rotational role last season."
Any idea Dallas Turner has made Greenard expendable has been squashed on multiple fronts. But otherwise, teams that miss out on drafting an edge rusher (or an edge rusher of note, probably more specifically) could very well circle back to the Vikings about the possibility of trading for Greenard.
If they can figure out a plan to replace him, via a draft pick and/or one of multiple notable free agent edge rushers who are still out there, the Vikings could very well reconsider any hesitation they have about trading Greenard.
If nothing else, during the draft or when it's over, the Vikings stand to gain a strong measure of leverage over a few teams in those potentially reignited Greenard trade talks. And if an offer they can't (or shouldn't) refuse comes, a deal could end up happening.
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