An almost perfect trade opportunity just fell into the Cowboys’ lap, but there’s a big problem with it
The Dallas Cowboys should be enticed by this trade opportunity, but it will be difficult to pull off.
It’s no secret the Dallas Cowboys need edge rusher reinforcements less than one year removed from the Micah Parsons trade.
And a golden opportunity to make a blockbuster trade (not for Maxx Crosby) just fell into their laps thanks to the latest NFL news. However, there’s a problem that will complicate their ability to execute it should they decide to pursue it.
Big-time edge rusher made available
The Minnesota Vikings are open to trading standout edge rusher Jonathan Greenard, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The news is massive, as he’s one of the best defenders on his team and would be an immediate upgrade for many defenses around the league, the Cowboys included.
“(The Vikings) would like to keep Greenard, but they also have salary cap issues they’re working through that led to these trade conversations,” Schefter wrote.
Trading Greenard would save the Vikings over $12.25 million, according to Over the Cap. The acquiring team would owe Greenard $18.4 million in salary for the 2026 season. Beyond this year, Greenard’s deal doesn’t have guaranteed salary, making him an enticing option for the Cowboys and others.
But financials aren’t the only thing that makes Greenard an attractive trade target.
Greenard is a defensive ‘centerpiece’
I reached out to our own Vikings expert at A to Z Sports, Tyler Forness, for his insight on Greenard. You will like what you’ll hear:
“The reality is he’s the centerpiece to Brian Flores’ defense, thriving in every possible way,” Forness says. “He is a quick penetrator with an incredibly fast get off on the football, and he pairs it with long arms to attack offensive tackles with power and technique. His sack numbers weren’t there last season, but Greenard was explosive in creating havoc consistently on all three downs, and is still in his prime. He can also thrive in an even or odd front, which gives every team a logical path to make a trade offer.”
For the Cowboys, multiplicity is key in 2026. New defensive coordinator Christian Parker has described his scheme as versatile and multiple, and some believe it’s that approach that could lead Dallas to seek an edge rusher outside of pending free agent Jadeveon Clowney.
Greenard would be a fit, and he was recently coached by new Cowboys DL coach Marcus Dixon, who was with the Vikings the last couple of years—he and Greenard arrived at Minnesota together in 2024.
There’s a problem, though
Yes, this sounds like a good fit for the Cowboys. Maybe too good, right?
Well, you can expect this to be a long shot trade because of compensation.
“The reporting surrounding a Greenard trade is fascinating,” Forness adds. “It reads to me that the Vikings are using Adam Schefter to tell teams that they will trade Greenard, but the offer will have to blow them away.”
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, multiple teams around the league “believe Minnesota wants a Day 2 pick for Greenard.”
The Cowboys literally don’t have a Day 2 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft after dealing their third round pick for George Pickens, and their second as part of their trade for Quinnen Williams. They would need to get really creative to make a deal work.
Maybe the Cowboys could offer their 2027 second-round pick parlayed with a Day 3 pick this year, or add a player into the mix. But they face an uphill battle, especially since Greenard is likely to draw the attention of many contenders around the league.
Greenard is an immediate upgrade, and better than whoever they could pick in the Draft. Kicking the tires at minimum, makes sense.
Dallas Cowboys News
Every possible George Pickens scenario for the Cowboys, ranked from likeliest to most improbable
The Dallas Cowboys used their franchise tag on George Pickens ahead of this year’s free agency. But now what?
