Minnesota Vikings superfan Girl Lagertha cheers from the stands throughout Week 5 motion in London, bringing power and purple delight to the worldwide stage on Oct. 6, 2024. The scene captures her spirited help as Minnesota secures a victory over the New York Jets in entrance of a world crowd. Necessary Credit score: Girl Lagertha.
Together with a throwaway Seventh-Spherical choose, the Minnesota Vikings despatched outdoors linebacker Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles through commerce final Friday night time, receiving two Third-Spherical picks for his or her troubles, along with some evidently important wage cap aid. The decision from followers? There’s broad help.
Most followers would take the picks and let the Eagles deal with Greenard’s subsequent mega-deal.
All informed, Greenard lasted two seasons in Minnesota.
The Deal Attracts Sturdy Assist from Followers
The commerce was not divisive.
Jonathan Greenard (58) reacts following a defensive sequence, exhibiting emotion throughout second-quarter motion as Minnesota battled Arizona, Dec. 1, 2024, at U.S. Financial institution Stadium in Minneapolis. The linebacker remained lively alongside the sting, contributing strain and power because the Vikings labored to include the Cardinals’ offense in a midseason matchup. Necessary Credit score: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Photographs.
Followers Supply Verdict on Greenard to PHI
Greenard was a reasonably fashionable participant amongst Vikings followers and a moderately productive one, except for logging simply three sacks in 12 video games final 12 months. So, to gauge the sentiment from the workforce’s loyalists, we polled the viewers on Twitter (X).
Over 70% authorized of the deal:
The Vikings traded Jonathan Greenard for 2 Third-Rounders on Friday night time, and the Eagles turnt round and paid him $100 million over 4 years.
MIN drafted security Jakobe Thomas and will get a Third-Rounder subsequent 12 months — in all probability choose 80-96.
Which aspect would you moderately have?
— Dustin Baker (@DustBaker) April 28, 2026
Most Vikings-themed subjects just like this one drift towards a 60-40 or 50-50 break up. Not this one — of us don’t thoughts that Greenard performs elsewhere.
The Haul So Far and to Come
Extracting two Third-Rounders from the Eagles, Minnesota already spent one of many picks — on security Jakobe Thomas of Miami. Thomas possesses an NFL-ready physique (6’1 “, 211 kilos) and 4.57 pace; his abilities are instantly obvious. He demonstrates fast sport recognition, constantly finds the ball, and has a confirmed potential to generate turnovers. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores can deploy him throughout the sector with none drop in efficiency.
His tackling, nevertheless, may be inconsistent, possible contributing to his fall to late Spherical 3. Ought to he refine this facet of his sport, his potential is immense. Given he turns 23 this summer time, the workforce in all probability expects him to contribute rapidly, particularly with Harrison Smith’s future completely up within the air.
The second shoe will drop from the commerce in April 2027. The Vikings maintain the Eagles’ 2027 Third-Rounder, which can in all probability find yourself being wherever from the eightieth to 96th choose. In fact, if Philadelphia skilled a down 12 months, that choose may land within the 60s or 70s. Fingers crossed.
CBS Sports activities‘ Tyler Sullivan on the Vikings’ finish of the commerce: “The Vikings didn’t seem interested in hammering out an extension with Greenard, so the only logical next step was to look to trade him. Two Day 2 picks aren’t exactly a bad return, but they also don’t move the needle much either. They get a top 100 pick in a 2026 NFL Draft that isn’t highly touted, and if Philadelphia plays to its talent caliber next season, the 2027 third will be later in the round in all likelihood.”
“That said, Minnesota does have Dallas Turner and Andrew Van Ginkel on the roster to cushion the blow of Greenard’s departure, and just added to the defensive line with tackle Caleb Banks in the first round, so the cupboard isn’t bare for Brian Flores. The trade also cleans up their books, clearing up $34 million in space, which can’t be overlooked.”
Sullivan additionally assigned the Eagles an ‘A’ grade for the Greenard commerce, whereas Minnesota fetched a ‘B-.’
Most likely Want an Further EDGE
Earlier than and after the Greenard commerce, the Vikings drafted no outdoors linebackers and haven’t signed any pass-rushing free brokers. It’s Andrew Van Ginkel, Dallas Turner, Bo Richter, and Tyler Batty at EDGE. That’s a good distance of claiming Minnesota in all probability wants an OLB3 after Van Ginkel and Turner, if just for damage insurance coverage functions.
Rob Brzezinski speaks throughout an on-site interview session, becoming a member of KFAN’s Paul Allen and Pete Bercich to debate roster development and offseason planning, Feb. 25, 2026, in Indianapolis throughout the NFL Scouting Mix. The Vikings govt detailed organizational philosophy whereas addressing present priorities and long-term technique in a reside media setting. Necessary Credit score: YouTube.
The Vikings additionally signed undrafted free agent Cam’Ron Stewart from Temple, an “old” rookie who may make the 53-man roster.
From free company, these targets take advantage of sense at OLB3:
A.J. Epenesa
Anfernee Jennings
Cameron Jordan
Dante Fowler Jr.
Denico Autry
Derek Barnett
Haason Reddick
Jadeveon Clowney
Joey Bosa
Kyle Van Noy
Leonard Floyd
Michael Danna
Von Miller
Dangerous Enterprise
Minnesota is “in it to win it” in 2026. Groups don’t signal Kyler Murray, for instance, with out aspirations of reaching the playoffs and successful the Tremendous Bowl. If Minnesota deliberate on a reset season or a “wait and see” strategy, it will’ve rolled with 23-year-quarterback J.J. McCarthy and let him sink or swim.
In that regard, refusing to pay Greenard $100 million over 4 years is dangerous enterprise. The intense Tremendous Bowl contenders across the league do no matter it takes to retain and acquire EDGE rushers. The Vikings removed their greatest.
Jonathan Greenard (52) celebrates with teammates after a hard-fought win, elevating his arms in pleasure following Houston’s victory, Dec. 17, 2023, at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. The defensive finish performed a key position within the consequence, serving to the Texans safe a street win towards a division opponent. Necessary Credit score: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports activities.
Due to this fact, the aforementioned Turner should flip right into a revelation, and you’ll in all probability pencil in OLB because the membership’s primary draft want subsequent offseason.
Whereas the Vikings could not have $100 million mendacity round for Greenard’s extension, discovering very good OLB expertise isn’t straightforward.
