Will the Commanders trade for a game-changing pass rusher? Possibly, or they can roll the dice on risky move
The Commanders are ready to spend in free agency, but they might have to wait for their perfect target to become available after the latest NFL report.
The Washington Commanders are ready to hit free agency strong this offseason, and they have plenty of salary cap space to work with.
General manager Adam Peters made a handful of moves to free up even more salary cap space, including releasing CB Marshon Lattimore. Daronte Jones is installing a new scheme in Washington this offseason, and now he needs talent around him to work with.
Jones could have a familiar face around if the Commanders pursue a top option who is now available, but he comes with a cost and a risk.
The Vikings are looking to trade EDGE Jonathan Greenard
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Minnesota Vikings are open to trading star pass rusher Jonathan Greenard due to contract concerns and their salary cap situation. All eyes will now be on the Commanders for very obvious reasons, including Daronte Jones, who was in Minnesota last year and is now the new defensive coordinator in Washington.
The Vikings are in one of the worst salary cap situations with free agency right around the corner, and they have the second-lowest cap space in the NFL at -$46.5 million. They’re also expected to take a massive swing at the quarterback position, so the defense could have to make some sacrifices this offseason.
The Vikings are looking to trade Greenard, which obviously doesn’t bode well for the Commanders, who only have six picks in the 2026 NFL draft. The Commanders could try to send a 2027 NFL Draft pick for Greenard and see if that’s enough. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that the asking price for Greenard is a Day Two pick, which would be a second or third-round pick.
I also wouldn’t rule out a pick swap in 2026 with the No. 71 overall pick and the No. 97 overall pick, with the Commanders adding a 2027 fifth-round pick to the package. The other avenue, however, is the safest way to try to land Greenard, but it’s not a guarantee like a trade is.
The Commanders could play the waiting game on Jonathan Greenard
Greenard has no guaranteed money left on his contract, so the odds are against the Vikings big time when it comes to keeping him around. He also has a $22.1 million salary cap hit in 2026, and the Vikings could save $18.8 million with a trade or release with a post-June 1st designation.
The Vikings have a difficult decision to make, and he would be perfect for the Commanders to pursue if they end up having to release Greenard as a surprising salary cap casualty. Greenard had a down 2025 season with just three sacks and 41 pressures, but he also suffered a shoulder injury in Week 10, which required surgery.
He’s still been a constant pass rusher who was coming off back-to-back 12 sack seasons, and a top run defender in the league at EDGE. The Commanders will likely do their due diligence on Greenard, but also play the smart game and not overspend on a player who will need a new contract anyway.
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