Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores
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SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 30: Defensive coordinator Brian Flores of Minnesota Vikings looks on against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on November 30, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
The Minnesota Vikings – despite all the chatter concerning their possible moves at quarterback and the future of J.J. McCarthy – are still nearly $45 million over the salary cap with less than a week remaining until the start of the legal tampering period on March 9.
Although there are a couple of ways they can get down to being cap complaint ahead of the new league year on March 11, almost all of them involve parting ways with some of their better players – such as right tackle Brian O’Neill – or doing restructures that could prove to be costly down the road.
Instead, it seems that the Vikings are looking to offload multiple high-salary pieces in the form of trades. They attempted to trade Javon Hargrave before reports surfaced that he, along with Aaron Jones Sr., would be cut prior to March 11 unless the team can work out an otherwise unlikely trade deal for either.
And now, per Adam Schefter, Minnesota are looking to offload a more valuable piece, as they look to whittle down the remaining $26 million cap deficit, by trading Pro Bowl defensive end Jonathan Greenard.
Vikings Shopping Pro Bowl Pass Rusher
“Vikings are now open to trading Pro Bowl edge rusher Jonathan Geeenard, per sources.” Schefter posted on X on Tuesday. “They would like to keep Greenard, but they also have salary cap issues they’re working through that have led to these trade conversations.”
And according to Jeremy Fowler’s sources around the league, the Vikings are looking to recoup a second or third round pick for his services.
“Teams I’ve talked to believe Minnesota wants a Day 2 pick for Greenard.” Fowler wrote, quoting Schefter’s original post.
Greenard had an excellent debut season in Minneapolis in 2024, recording 12 sacks and being nominated to the Pro Bowl. However, 2025 saw the former Houston Texan struggle with a shoulder injury that kept him out of five games and limit him to just three sacks.
That, along with the emergence of former first round pick Dallas Turner, meant Greenard managed just 3 sacks on the year, his lowest total since the 2022 season.
Will the Vikings Get a Day Two Pick For Jonathan Greenard?
Greenard’s production in 2025 is likely not a reflection of his capabilities moving forward. However, the former third round pick is not getting any younger, and will turn 29 prior to the start of the 2026 season opener.
Pass rushers are a much-desired commodity, but for mid-to-high tier players with not fully consistent records, the compensatory return can be limited. The Dolphins received the Eagles’ third round pick in 2025 for Jaelan Phillips – who was on a cheaper deal and is a year younger.
But it is totally possible that Minnesota receivers a mid-to-late third rounder, or a fourth rounder plus change, for Greenard from a pass rusher-needy, cap-rich team.
The Vikings will save $12 million in cap by trading him, the same amount they would save by releasing him, whilst Greenard’s new team will incur a cap hit of $19 million in both 2026 and 2027.