Jonathan Greenard
Getty
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - SEPTEMBER 21: Jonathan Greenard #58 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 21, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
The Detroit Lions have taken a measured and judicious approach to the first week of free agency, but a splashy trade could prove their last and best means at taking a Super Bowl type of swing this offseason.
Aidan Hutchinson remains without a high-level partner manning the other side of the defense’s edge rush. And while there are a few reasonable options still available on the free-agent market, the most talented player likely to change teams is Jonathan Greenard of the Minnesota Vikings.
“[The Vikings are] trying to trade him,”Jordan Schultz told 105.3 The FAN about Greenard on Friday, March 13. “They’ve got multiple suitors, but the issue with him is he’s going to want a new deal.”
Greenard’s desire for a new contract is why Minnesota is shopping him in the first place. Greenard is entering the third season of a four-year contract worth $76 million in total. He asked for a restructure and a raise from the Vikings, if not an extension to replace the parts of the contract still in place with the addition of more money and/or years on the backend.
Instead, Minnesota decided to start taking calls with a Day 2 pick as its desired return. The Lions have only a second-rounder, No. 50 overall, with which to work in 2026, which is a bit high for Greenard in a vacuum.
However, a deal in which Detroit sends the Vikings the No. 50 pick and gets Greenard and pick No. 163 in Round 5 back in return could make sense for both sides.
Lions Must Replace Al-Quadin Muhammad, Won’t Likely Land Star Pass-Rusher Like Maxx Crosby
Al-Quadin Muhammad, Lions
GettyDefensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad, formerly of the Detroit Lions.
Several prominent NFL analysts have suggested in recent weeks that the Lions make aggressive trade offers for the likes of Myles Garrett or Maxx Crosby, as pairing either with Hutchinson could lead to a Super Bowl-caliber roster given Detroit’s existing talent on offense.
Those suggestions involved two first-round picks, and sometimes more. Detroit never made any such offers, or at least none were ever reported, and Crosby now appears locked in with the Las Vegas Raiders for at least the time being. Meanwhile, Garrett was probably never on the block in the first place.
But Detroit indicated a potential desire for an upgrade at the defensive end position opposite Hutchinson after allowing Al-Quadin Muhammad to depart for a one-year, $6 million contract from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers following a career-year of 11 sacks.
A healthy Greenard, which he wasn’t at the end of last season after missing the final five games with a shoulder injury, is a happy medium between a massive move for a player like Crosby and a moderate upgrade over Muhammad, who could have been a flash in the pan last season but who also could have returned to Detroit on a reasonable one-year contract for 2026.
Cowboys, Eagles Also Linked to Interest in Jonathan Greenard Trade
Jonathan Greenard, Minnesota Vikings
GettyPass-rusher Jonathan Greenard of the Minnesota Vikings.
Greenard tallied 22 QB hits, 18 tackles for loss and 12 sacks during his first campaign with the Vikings in 2024. He put up 10 tackles for loss and three sacks in 12 games last season to go along with 47 QB pressures.
Greenard turns 29 years old in May and Pro Football Focus ranked him the 18th-best edge defender out of 115 players who saw enough snaps at the position to qualify last season.
Both the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys have had discussions with Minnesota about a potential trade for Greenard.