Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jonathan Greenard (58) goes by way of pregame warmups forward of a matchup with the Tennessee Titans, with the scene unfolding on Nov. 17, 2024 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, as Greenard stretches and readies himself on the sphere earlier than Minnesota’s street contest begins. Obligatory Credit score: Steve Roberts-Imagn Photos.
The Minnesota Vikings traded Jonathan Greenard not essentially as a result of they wished to, however in some aspect, as a result of they wanted to. He had an costly cap hit, and he wished an extension past what they may commit.
Vikings Cap House Resolution Carries Defensive Penalties
The issue is that these realities had been current heading into the offseason, and Minnesota waited till the ultimate hour to do a deal. Typically you extract extra worth by permitting time to position constraints, however it was at all times the Vikings who had been up in opposition to it when it got here to Greenard’s future.
Sep 14, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jonathan Greenard (58) celebrates a sack through the second half in opposition to the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Matt Krohn-Imagn Photos
Philadelphia had been rumored as a possible suitor from the outset, and so they bought a deal finished whereas giving up only a pair of third-round picks. Solely one in every of them was obtainable in 2026, and the 2027 decide isn’t prone to be excessive given the Eagles’ expectations.
ESPN’s Invoice Barnwell checked out what different defensive position skills earned in commerce compensation, and it’s onerous to not be disenchanted in what appears to be like like a light-weight return for the Minnesota Vikings.
Nevertheless, defensive tackles like Quinnen Williams and Dexter Lawrence landed first-round picks in offers, and edge rusher Maxx Crosby (briefly) netted the Raiders two first-rounders.
The Vikings had been going through a tough cap state of affairs this offseason, however the four-year, $98 million deal Greenard signed with the Eagles is structured in a team-friendly method. Greenard can have cap hits of $6.2 million in 2026 and $11.1 million in 2027. The Eagles will face a possible useless cap hit for Greenard properly down the road, however the Vikings might have opted to offer Greenard this similar deal whereas lowering his cap quantity by practically $16 million in 2026 and greater than $11 million in 2027 within the course of.
I perceive eager to open up extra snaps for Turner, however for what they landed and what they apparently wanted to pay Greenard to make him joyful, I’d moderately have saved one in every of my finest gamers round for one more yr or two.
Invoice Barnwell – ESPN
Dallas Turner seemed good as he continued to carve out a higher position final season. He additionally had Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel to drive the opposition to organize for. Not solely is that security blanket now half gone, however the Vikings don’t precisely have depth behind the teen, both.
Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles common supervisor Howie Roseman earlier than Tremendous Bowl LIX between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs at Caesars Superdome. Obligatory Credit score: Invoice Streicher-Imagn Photos
Proper now, there may be an argument to be made that the Turner deal was each misguided and light-weight. There’s an avenue for it to get actually dangerous if the Eagles get the 2024 model of Greenard (Professional Bowl, 12.0 sacks) and Minnesota is searching for solutions on the sting.
Ted Schwerzler is a Minneapolis based mostly blogger that covers the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. Sharing ideas consistently on Twitter, … Extra about Ted Schwerzler
