The Jonathan Greenard Market Has Changed
Vikings outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard was reportedly put on the trade block in March, with reports saying the Vikings would like to keep him, but for the right price, they would be willing to part ways with their top pressure-getter.
About a month-and-a-half later, Greenard is still a Minnesota Viking.
The situation is not particularly mysterious. He’s paid $19 million per year, while comparable defenders nearly double that salary. Furthermore, the guaranteed part of his four-year deal is done. Understandably, Greenard is seeking more money and more security.
SI’s Albert Breer wrote a few weeks ago, “Bottom line, a trade would happen because someone swoops in to give him a real raise, and forks over a Day 2 pick. I don’t know that anyone’s gotten close to that yet. But this all started because Greenard reached the end of the guaranteed portion of his contract and is making ‘only’ $19 million this year, and $19 million next year, which is a fraction of what the top edge rushers make. So he wanted a raise. Minnesota wasn’t in a position to give it to him. And I don’t think his camp has found a suitor who was willing to do that, and give up a high-end pick or two.”
Indeed, the top edge defenders have gotten paid over the last couple of years since Greenard signed his contract in 2024. In fact, the NFL has a new highest-paid non-quarterback since last week when Texans defender Will Anderson signed his massive contract extension.
The former third overall pick had three years added to his contract for a whopping $150 million. Perhaps even more important is that most of it is guaranteed ($134 million).
Sure, one could and should argue that Anderson is a more disruptive player than Greenard, but it’s still noteworthy that Greenard’s former team is now paying two premier edge defenders in Danielle Hunter and Anderson, while Greenard doesn’t get that luxury in the Twin Cities.
A word used in the Greenard reporting is “market correction,” and that’s precisely what would immediately shut down the rumors.
In 29 games with the Vikings, Greenard has registered 15 sacks and 97 tackles. His sack production dipped in 2025, which has caused some debate about whether he’s actually worth a stronger deal. When watching him play, however, the disruptive element he brings to the table jumps off the screen.
Alec Lewis (The Athletic) wrote last month, “The pressure rate for the average pass rusher is about 11.4 percent, and Greenard’s is 16.7 percent. Only six edge rushers have a higher figure since the beginning of 2024: Aidan Hutchinson, Micah Parsons, Will Anderson Jr., Myles Garrett, Nik Bonitto and Jared Verse. Three of those players are on rookie contracts with massive extensions looming. The other three each make more than $40 million per season.”
He also compared Greenard’s pressure statistics from his Pro Bowl campaign in 2024 to those from the potentially worse 2025 season and concluded he was actually better in 2025. His sack numbers dipped for two reasons. One, he had some bad luck in the sack department, as several quarterbacks wiggled out of his grasp. The plays were often still ruined. Two, he suffered a shoulder injury, through which the team captain had even played until all playoff hopes vanished and he could get surgery.
According to Over the Cap, Greenard’s annual salary ranks him 21st among edge rushers. Anderson’s new deal isn’t listed and would drop him to 22nd.
Including Anderson, six players make north of $40 million a year. Those guys can be labeled elite edge defenders and include Micah Parsons and Myles Garrett. Three players make at least $30 million: Maxx Crosby, Nick Bosa, and Jaelan Phillips. The latter just signed his new contract in free agency, and could function as a benchmark for Greenard and his representation.
Josh Hines-Allen, Brian Burns, and Trey Hendrickson are all paid $28 million or slightly above. Objectively, Greenard belongs somewhere in the second and third tiers of pass-rush salaries.
In the past, the Vikings have generally given players who wanted and deserved a raise more money. Greenard could be the next one, but a trade remains a possibility.
At this year’s league meeting, head coach Kevin O’Connell told the media, “I expect him to be part of our team. I know there’s always conversations. There’s conversations this week, there’s conversations throughout the offseason.”
Greenard will turn 29 next month.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.