Jonathan Greenard Trade Momentum Has Shifted

Right before the start of free agency, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted that Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard was available via trade, a bombshell notification because no one knew the purple team would part ways with its top defender. Two and a half weeks later, all signs point to a Greenard reunion in Minnesota rather than a trade.

Minnesota appears to have chosen extension over trade.

And it sounds like Minnesota didn’t want to trade Greenard all that much in the first place.

Greenard’s Eventual Extension Now Feels Like the Real Story

The brakes have been pumped.

Vikings Were Never High on Greenard Trade

The Athletic‘s Alec Lewis weighed in on the Greenard trade situation Thursday and noted, “Why would the Vikings want to trade Greenard? In short, they would prefer not to. In 2024, when the Vikings signed Greenard in free agency, they viewed him as a potential long-term replacement for elite pass rusher Danielle Hunter.”

“Greenard was younger, and his skill set suited defensive coordinator Brian Flores even better than Hunter’s due to his versatility. Minnesota’s staff also thought of him as a potential locker room leader.”

The locker room leader assessment has already come true.

Lewis added, “The Vikings know they have a budding edge rusher in Dallas Turner waiting in the wings. They could also add more depth at the position with their nine picks in late April. Neither makes it likely that the Vikings part with Greenard for anything less than a significant return.”

“Anything other than a Day 2 pick would presumably be a non-starter. But the precise ask depends on a multitude of factors like player availability, pick swaps and the willingness of opposing teams to part with future picks.”

The Extension Matter

Greenard has no guaranteed money left on his contract; that evaporated last year. And when Greenard looks around the lay of the land in the NFL at outside linebacker, his peers, like Micah Parsons and Aidan Hutchinson, are earning over $45 million annually.

He brings home $19 million.

Even recently, the man he replaced in Minnesota, Danielle Hunter, pulled down an extension that brought his average annual value to $40 million. In short, Greenard and his agent feel criminally underpaid. To better reflect the market, the veteran EDGE probably deserves a deal near $30 million per year, if not more.

It appears that Greenard is on track to have the wish fulfilled.

Greenard’s Social Media Clues

In the last week, Greenard has posted pictures and videos of himself racking up plays in Vikings attire, leading the masses to assume an extension is on the way. As an example, his Instagram looked like this a few days ago:

If he were on the brink of a trade, Greenard probably wouldn’t be in Eagan. So, sleuths are studying every move, hoping to deduce whether Greenard stays or goes.

The current trail suggests a contract extension, with the Vikings keeping their 2024 Pro Bowl defender in the house.

Probably an Extension Incoming

From the moment the Greenard trade dust spread around social media, it always seemed more likely that Minnesota would find a way to finalize an extension. The club acquired quarterback Kyler Murray for cheap in free agency, renewing aspirations that the Vikings could reach the playoffs in 2026 and maybe even win the damn Super Bowl.

If that is the mission — the coaches and players will insist that’s the mission this summer — getting rid of the best players, especially those who rush the passer, is not how contending teams typically operate.

Lewis also noted on the Greenard trade situation, “Which teams would be interested in Greenard? Two currently stand out: the Philadelphia Eagles and the Indianapolis Colts. Both are in win-now mode. Both explored the possibilities of signing free-agent edge rushers Trey Hendrickson and Phillips. Both have invested in edge rushers in recent years. Greenard also fits the systems of both defensive coordinators: Vic Fangio of the Eagles and Lou Anarumo of the Colts.”

“In recent weeks, multiple NFC teams evaluated the Greenard trade idea. None has pounced on the deal, with a high-ranking executive from one of the intrigued teams saying the size of Greenard’s proposed contract was the central hurdle.”

The Vikings wanted a 2nd-Round pick for Greenard as a starting point for discussions, but that didn’t happen, and now it feels like he will return for Year No. 3 in the Twin Cities.

If not, Minnesota has Dallas Turner ready to continue his midseason breakout from last year as Greenard’s direct replacement.