Latest NFL news could spell good news for Minnesota Vikings’ return in potential Jonathan Greenard trade

It’s more obvious than ever what the Vikings should get for Jonathan Greenard in a trade.

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
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Sep 14, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jonathan Greenard (58) celebrates a sack during the second half against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

The days leading up to the legal tampering period to kick off NFL free agency are always eventful. There are usually multiple trades and surprises that occur during that time, and this year is no exception.

The Baltimore Ravens kept things interesting, as they traded two first-round picks to the Las Vegas Raiders for edge rusher Maxx Crosby.

It’s a massive blockbuster trade, and the third trade that involved two first-round picks in the last six months, with edge rusher Micah Parsons and cornerback Sauce Gardner being the others. The trade also gives the Minnesota Vikings an important piece of information about a potential Jonathan Greenard trade.

Potential Jonathan Greenard trade compensation is clearer after Maxx Crosby trade

News broke about a potential trade involving Greenard on Tuesday, surprising many, as he’s one of the better edge rushers in the league and the engine behind Brian Flores’ defense. It was even more surprising when the compensation being discussed was only a day two pick. That seems rather low overall, especially for an edge rusher.

Last season, Greenard wasn’t at his best with a shoulder injury hindering him and forcing him to miss five games, but he led the team with 47 pressures and had 3.5 sacks. In 2024, he was a borderline All-Pro with a whopping 84 pressures and 12.5 sacks, leading the Vikings to a dominant unit once again.

After the news about a potential trade broke, I researched what a potential trade should look like based on talent, production, and historical trade comps over the last eight years. In that, I determined that a first-round pick and some pick swaps were the compensation that made the most sense. The two trades that made the most sense were Brian Burns and Bradley Chubb, with the latter making the most sense.

“The two trades that make the most sense as far as trade comps go are Bradley Chubb and Brian Burns. The Carolina Panthers bombed their handling of Burns, as they could have landed two firsts the year prior from the Los Angeles Rams in a widely reported move.

“The Chubb trade is interesting because he never put up a season better than the one Greenard had in 2024, and dealt with his fair share of injuries in the same light. The one thing that Chubb does have that Greenard doesn’t is first-round pedigree, as he was selected fifth overall in the 2018 NFL Draft. He went for a depth running back, 1st, and 4th, while sending back a fifth with Chubb.

“That might be a little bit too much for Greenard coming off a down season, but his talent, ability, and production still warrant a first-round pick. He will produce in a big way for any style of defense, as he’s shown the ability to thrive in both an even and odd front. The tricky element is the shoulder injury he suffered and had surgery on this offseason. Will that come into play? Only time will tell.”

With Crosby getting two first-round picks, a player on the level of Greenard should net a single first-round pick with his talent and ability. Crosby should have gotten less than what Parsons fetched, and it was the same draft pick compensation without a player attached, as the Cowboys got Kenny Clark included in the trade.

The Vikings should see this and know that they need to hold out for a first-round pick, because Greenard is worth it.

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