Jonathan Greenard, Minnesota Vikings
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(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
On March 3,ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported, citing sources, that the Minnesota Vikings could consider trading outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard amid a salary cap shortfall that may influence several roster decisions.
The 28-year-old is one of the Vikings’ top defensive players and still has two seasons remaining on the four-year deal signed in 2024.
However, the Vikings entered the month roughly $43 million over the NFL salary cap. The team wants to keep Greenard, Schefter reported, but efforts to clear that deficit have led to trade discussions.
Greenard is set to carry a $22.3 million cap hit in 2026 and is due $19 million in cash that season, though none of the money is fully guaranteed.
If Greenard is still on the roster by the fifth day of the new league year, $4 million of the base salary becomes guaranteed. Moreover, a trade would create about $12 million in cap space.
Amid Greenard’s uncertain future heading into the new league year, Schefter provided an update on the situation during aMarch 5 appearance on the “Pat McAfee Show.”
“I think there’s a case where I don’t think the Vikings really want to deal him, but it’s one of those cases where if there’s a team that offers enough to go get him, and I think it would be a Day 2 pick, so a second or a third,” Schefter said. “I think Minnesota, because of the financial questions and issues there, is going to have to consider it.”
Adam Schefter Gives Take on Jonathan Greenard’s Future
Moreover, Schefter shared his take on how he sees the Greenard situation playing out for the Vikings, whether they actually trade him or the team finds other ways to get salary-cap relief that allow them to hold onto the pass rusher for next season.
“My guess is, in the end, when these things usually happen, when you hear about a player that a team is open to trading, when there have been discussions, when that happens, usually a trade happens,” Schefter added.
“I would say it’s probably more likely than not, but Minnesota knows how good he is, and I can tell you he isn’t going to be thrilled about giving him up.”
One factor that could ease the impact of a possible departure is the emergence of Dallas Turner. The 2024 first-round pick led the team with eight sacks in 2025, including 6.5 over the final eight games of the season, which could help offset losing Greenard.
Latest on Vikings QB Situation
Nonetheless, the Greenard news is playing second fiddle to the Vikings’ QB situation. ESPN’s Vikings reporter Kevin Seifert shared an update on the team’s signal-caller situation, especially afternews emerged this week that Kyler Murrayis expected to be released once the new league year starts.
“Last week at the [NFL Combine], the Vikings officials Rob Brzezinski and Kevin O’Connell said they were going to look at every option to improve their quarterback play,”Seifert said on a March 4 edition of SportsCenter. “If you were to sort of make a list of the quarterbacks who are likely to be available in free agency, Kyler Murray is right at or near the top of the list.
“I think most people around the league would tell you that, and a lot of people in the Vikings organization would tell you that he has the best chance of improving their quarterback play.”