Jonathan Greenard - Minnesota Vikings
Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
It’s been a bit of a dead period for the Minnesota Vikings as they work behind the scenes to prepare for April’s NFL Draft. Kevin O’Connell and Rob Brzezinski continue to be the lead decision makers with former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah no longer in the fray.
While the free agency spending has been nothing like the spree from a season ago, the talk of the town has been on the trade front, specifically Jonathan Greenard — who’s been seeking a trade since early in the offseason, after the Vikings showed little interest in giving him a pay raise.
But it’s not just the MN Vikings who are hesitant to pay their top pass rusher top money. Reportedly, Greenard’s contract demands are the biggest hangup in trade talks, as well.
Kevin O’Connell expects Jonathan Greenard back with MN Vikings
That’s why, at least recently, it feels more likely Jonathan Greenard stays, than goes, a belief Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell seemingly shares. Monday morning, at the league’s owners meetings in Arizona, Kevin O’Connell met with reporters and weighed in on the EDGE rusher’s future.
“Yeah, I expect him to be part of our team. I know there’s always conversations, there’s conversations this week, there’s conversations throughout the offseason…And we’ll continue to kind of attack things at the different phases. We’re getting ready to really jump heavily into draft meetings when we get back, but at the same time, we’re always going to try to do what’s best for our team…and also what we think is best for each one of our individual players. And that’s an ongoing thing throughout every offseason.”
Kevin O’Connell (via Kevin Seifert below)
More O'Connell on Greenard: "And we'll continue to kind of attack things at the different phases. We're getting ready to really jump heavily into draft meetings when we get back, but at the same time, we're always going to try to do what's best for our team… (2/x)
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) March 30, 2026
This is all in response to @AdamSchefter's report earlier this offseason that the Vikings would be open to trading Greenard as the sides work through some cash/cap considerations in his contract.
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) March 30, 2026
More on Greenard’s situation in Minnesota
It’s not as though the Minnesota Vikings don’t want Greenard around. He dealt with injuries last season and played in just 12 games while recording only three sacks. The year prior though, he earned his first Pro Bowl nod and racked up 12 sacks in 17 games.
The problem for Minnesota is that they are currently a cap strapped team, and Greenard carries a hefty number. He has a $22.15 million cap hit this season, and is in the third year of a four-year contract. If the Vikings could get real value for him, likely a first or second round pick, they would be inclined to reallocate those funds elsewhere.
Related: NFL Insider Projects Vikings to Cut Fan Favorite
With Greenard not looking likely to rework a deal with a new employer following a trade, it appears as though O’Connell sees him back in the fold for 2026. That continues the impressive three-man rotation of Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Dallas Turner.
Should Flores have that entire trio healthy and active this season, they could certainly set the table for another formidable pass rush. While the team has plenty of holes to fill, the edge rush group isn’t among them if Greenard stays put.
Mentioned in this article: Jonathan Greenard NFL Offseason NFL Trade Rumors
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