9 Hypothetical Trades For Jonathan Greenard: Offers range from day 2 picks to including quarterback of the future
Jonathan Greenard could fetch a decent price, but are these offers enough?
The Minnesota Vikings are in a very interesting spot, as edge rusher Jonathan Greenard seems to be on the trade block.
It’s an interesting situation that the Vikings find themselves in, as Greenard wants a raise, but the Vikings don’t seem to reciprocate that feeling. It’s a complicated situation, and there are multiple ways this can go.
What would teams potentially be willing to offer the Vikings for Greenard? I reached out to my colleagues and got nine offers for Greenard with varying levels of capital.
Buffalo Bills upgrade their edge pass rush
Bills send pick 91 to the Vikings for Jonathan Greenard
“What a perfect fit for Jim Leonard’s new 3-4 defense, a stud pass rusher who has no problem getting after the quarterback. Buffalo would be more than inclined to send over a third-round pick to get the type of player Greenard is. Before his shoulder surgery and a down year in 2025, he had 24.5 sacks and 129 QB pressures. Buffalo might be in cap hell right now, but they could easily make the deal work with a few restructures. He’s that dominant of a player who would immediately boost the entire defensive front. A must get for Brandon Beane and company.” – Adam Zientek, A to Z Buffalo
Cincinnati Bengals finally address the defensive line
Bengals send pick 41 to the Vikings for Jonathan Greenard
“This may be breaking news but the Bengals aren’t going to have Trey Hendrickson anymore. There’s going to be a massive hole on their roster when he departs, and no one should feel confident that Shemar Stewart will be able to fill it just yet. Landing Greenard, someone who has given Orlando Brown Jr. trouble in the past, with two years of contractual control remaining on his deal would be so valuable and help free up Cincinnati’s NFL Draft plans. That’s what makes offering a second-rounder worth it, even if the actual Bengals wouldn’t see it this way.” – John Sheeran, A to Z Cincinnati
Baltimore Ravens find replacement for Odafe Oweh
Ravens send pick 80 and 2026 fifth-round pick to the Vikings for Jonathan Greenard
“The Baltimore Ravens don’t typically pay their EDGE defenders big money. But a chance to acquire Greenard via trade with two years left on his contract and $38 million in cash owed to him, becomes an economically friendly circumstance for the Ravens to kick the tires on. There’s cap flexibility to be found thanks to the Ravens acquiring a preexisting contract, too.
“Jesse Minter’s defense will look to play physical up front, and Greenard has good size and elite length — he makes sense. Baltimore also boasts a bevy of draft choices to offer Minnesota. Baltimore can offer a top-100 draft choice and one of their many Day 3 scheduled picks.” – Kyle Crabbs, A to Z Miami
Los Angeles Chargers find Khalil Mack replacement
Chargers send pick 86 and a 2027 fifth-round pick to the Vikings for Jonathan Greenard
The Bolts have a ton of cap space to work with this offseason, and being aggressive should be on their mind. With this deal, they keep intact their first two picks of the 2026 NFL Draft and acquire a day one starter an impact defender from Minnesota.
“Odafe Oweh played good football for the Chargers a season ago, but he’s hitting free agency. They need more pass rush prowess opposite Tuli Tuipulotu, and I like that role for Greenard immensely. The cost isn’t a price that should scare them away if this, in fact, is the sort of deal that the Vikings would take.
“For the Chargers, they’re in a winning window now in the AFC based on their coaching staff and roster. Adding Greenard to their defensive front could be one of the most influential parts of their offseason imaginable.” – Adam Holt, A to Z Philadelphia
Daronte Jones reunites with Greenard in Washington
Commanders send pick 71 and a 2027 fifth to the Vikings for Jonathan Greenard and pick 97
“The Commanders will be an obvious team connected to Jonathan Greenard with the glaring need at EDGE once again. The one hurdle is the lack of picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, and the Commanders only have six picks to work with, and no second-rounder. Washington should offer a pick swap by sending away the No. 71 overall pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick in exchange for Greenard and the No. 97 overall pick, which is a compensatory pick for the Vikings anyway. The difference in the No. 71 and No. 97 overall pick is 123 points on the NFL Draft pick value chart, which is a late third-round pick. Daronte Jones is installing a new defensive scheme in Washington, and he’d be licking his chops to add Greenard this offseason to get after the quarterback.” – Josh Taylor, A to Z Washington
San Francisco 49ers trade Vikings a quarterback
49ers send Mac Jones and 2026 fourth-round pick to the Vikings for Jonathan Greenard and a 2026 fifth-round pick
“This is a unique trade proposal because the Vikings wouldn’t get the draft compensation a player of Greenard’s caliber would usually command. But getting a competent quarterback who can be the next Sam Darnold-esque reclamation project, going from San Francisco to Minnesota, can be even more important. For the 49ers, it would be huge to have a high-level edge defender opposite Nick Bosa for a reasonable price. And while it’s also impactful to have a solid backup quarterback like Jones was for cheap, a difference-maker on defense has more potential to make the 49ers reach their full potential — and that only happens if Brock Purdy is on the field anyway.” – Wendell Ferreira, A to Z Green Bay
New England Patriots finally get a star edge rusher
Patriots send pick 61 and a 2027 fourth-round pick to the Vikings for Jonathan Greenard
“The New England Patriots received some excellent return on investment with K’Lavon Chaisson in 2025, but he’s slated to hit free agency here in less than a week. New England could opt to bring him back, but Greenard is clearly a peg above as a true pass rusher. At only 28 years old, Greenard averaged 12 sacks between 2023 and 2024. He’s a strong presence against the run as well, fitting the mold of a Mike Vrabel EDGE at 6-3, 260 pounds. New England is in an interesting spot where they just went to the Super Bowl, but they should also be planning for the future. Because of Greenard’s age, he fits both plans. It’s going to be hard to find a player in the second round of this year’s draft who contributes early the way Greenard can.” – Rob Gregson, A to Z Pittsburgh
Indianapolis Colts get running mate for Laiatu Latu
Colts send Anthony Richardson and a conditional 2027 fifth-round pick to the Vikings for Greenard
“Greenard would be a great fit in Lou Anarumo’s defense, and I think his role and responsibilities would remain pretty similar to what he’s asked to do in Brian Flores’ defense. The Colts’ edge rush room is pretty much a clean slate right now besides Laiatu Latu.
“The plan would be for Greenard to take on the most attention and open up more opportunities for Latu going forward. The Vikings are a plausible fit for Anthony Richardson, and the Colts’ other edge options would likely cost more than the 19 million they would take on in Greenard’s contract for 2026.
“This seems like a trade that can help both sides equally with what they are looking to add this offseason.” – Destin Adams, A to Z Indianapolis
Dallas Cowboys finally replace Micah Parsons
Cowboys send 2027 second-round pick to the Vikings for Jonathan Greenard
“Reports suggest the Vikings are looking for a Day 2 pick, but the Cowboys don’t have one of those this year, so they’d need to turn to 2027 in that case. And while I know this offer isn’t going to wow the Vikings, given the long list of suitors that might push for Greenard, I can see them proposing this as a “just in case” offer.
“The Cowboys need a better pass rush, and Greenard offers a solid middle ground between bottom-tier free agents (which they usually pursue) and a blockbuster trade for Maxx Crosby. Plus, former Vikings DL coach Marcus Dixon is now with the Cowboys, so the connection is there.”
These trade offers are uninspiring
When looking at Greenard’s trade value, it’s a complicated answer. Based on production and ability, Greenard should go for a first-round pick with some potential swaps on day three. That’s what Bradley Chubb fetched, and he’s neither as good a player nor has a better injury history than Greenard.
Nobody offered a first-round pick, which is very disappointing for a player of his caliber. It was a tough ask considering he is coming off a shoulder injury that required season-ending surgery.
A couple of these offers are insulting to what Greenard brings to the table. He can be a game-changer for your defense and elevate it to an elite unit with his ability to thrive on the edge. Of all the offers on the table, the Bengals’ offer of pick 41 is the best one by far, as it gives the Vikings a chance to get a starting-caliber player. Even so, I wouldn’t want to take it because it’s not enough value for the type of player he is.