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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 14: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys carries the ball against Jonathan Greenard #58 of the Minnesota Vikings during the second quarter at AT&T Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
The Minnesota Vikings made a surprising move in early March back when they announced that they would listen to offers for Pro Bowl edge rusher Jonathan Greenard.
Greenard is looking for a pay raise from the $38 million he is owed over the next two years ($19 million in both 2026 and 2027), and the Vikings are not at the point where they are necessarily willing to offer that.
Minnesota are reportedly looking for compensation in the range of a day two pick in next month’s draft, and given the lack of top tier edge rushers around the league, it is not impossible that they find that sort of compensation in return.
Jonathan Greenard Proposed to Land with Surprising Team
Sports Illustrated’s Mike Kadlick projects that the team who could ultimately make the move for Greenard is one that has multiple top-level forces off the edge, the Jacksonville Jaguars.
“The Vikings are open to trading Jonathan Greenard this offseason. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Minnesota would reportedly like to retain the edge rusher, but salary cap “issues” have caused the team to consider moving on.” Kadlick writes. “Greenard, 28, signed a four-year, $76 million contract with Minnesota in the spring of 2024 and after a solid debut season with the club, played in just 12 games in ‘25 while logging only three sacks. ”
Although Jacksonville does not have vast amounts of cap room remaining – in fact the team added just one player during the entirety of the free agency period, running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. from the Commanders – Kadlick believes it would be possible for the team to do “salary gymnastics” and structure the deal such that they could afford Greenard.
“That said, he remains in the prime of his career, and a team like the Jaguars would benefit from bringing him in to play opposite Josh Hines-Allen on defense. Jacksonville would have to do some salary gymnastics to get a deal done, however, as they currently sit just $6.9 million over the cap.”
Are the Jaguars Realistic Trade Partners with the Vikings?
For a team that has both Josh Hines-Allen and former first overall pick Travon Walker, the notion of going all in financially for a third edge rusher could appear to be slightly bizarre.
But it is worth noting that the Jaguars have little depth behind their top two guys at what is arguably the most important position after quarterback.
The Jaguars could well be content with giving up one of their three third round picks (#81, #88 and #100) in the draft in exchange for a proven game-changer on the defense, buying low on a player who is coming of a down season in 2025, where he only managed 3 sacks in 12 games.
They are not the most compelling choice of trade partner, given their lack of cap space and already strong edge rushing duo, but given general manager James Gladstone’s already-apparent aggressive nature when it comes to making deals, they should not be ruled out by any means.
Daniel Arwas Daniel Arwas is a sports writer who covers the NFL for Heavy.com. Daniel began his career in sports writing in 2022 and has covered the NFL and college football for Gridiron Heroics and The Hammer. More about Daniel Arwas
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