Jonathan Greenard
Getty
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 23: Jonathan Greenard #58 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts during the game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on October 23, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The New England Patriots need a talented edge defender to help take their defense to the next level. And many expect them to address this in the draft.
However, one talented player just became available that the Patriots should certainly be inquiring about.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Tuesday that the Minnesota Vikings are “open to trading outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard as they work through a salary cap deficit that could have a wide-ranging impact on their roster.”
Greenard has two seasons remaining on the four-year deal he signed in 2024, set to carry a $22.15 million cap number in 2026. However, with a trade, the Vikings would save $12 million in cap space. While Schefter further reported that the Minnesota “want to keep Greenard,” they are trying to “eliminate that cap deficit,” which has led to trade talks.
Greenard spent the first four years of his career with the Houston Texans before signing with the Vikings in 2024. In his first season with Minnesota, the edge defender recorded 12.5 sacks and was named to the Pro Bowl. However, he dealt with a shoulder injury this last season that required season-ending surgery.
Plus, the Patriots got a good look at Greenard last summer when the Vikings came to Gillette Stadium for joint practices, so they know what he’s capable of.
Eliot Wolf Addressed The Need For An Edge Defender At 2026 NFL Combine
Eliot Wolf
GettyEliot Wolf
While this is a trade New England should certainly be looking into, they are also expected to address the need for an edge defender in the draft.
“I think this draft offers a lot of different depth at varying areas, edge (defender) being one of them,” executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf said. “I think it’s a fairly deep class at that position that’s obviously an area of need for our team, so it matches up nicely.”