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Ted Schwerzler: Vikings Misplayed the Jonathan Greenard Trade
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- Ted Schwerzler: Vikings Misplayed the Jonathan Greenard Trade
Steve Roberts
The Minnesota Vikings traded Jonathan Greenard not necessarily because they wanted to, but in some facet, because they needed to. He had an expensive cap hit, and he wanted an extension beyond what they could commit.
Vikings Cap Space Decision Carries Defensive Consequences
The problem is that those realities were present heading into the offseason, and Minnesota waited until the final hour to do a deal. Sometimes you extract more value by allowing time to place constraints, but it was always the Vikings who were up against it when it came to Greenard's future.
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. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Philadelphia had been rumored as a potential suitor from the outset, and they got a deal done while giving up just a pair of third-round picks. Only one of them was available in 2026, and the 2027 pick isn't likely to be high given the Eagles' expectations.
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ESPN's Bill Barnwell looked at what other defensive line talents earned in trade compensation, and it's hard not to be disappointed in what looks like a light return for the Minnesota Vikings.
However, defensive tackles like Quinnen Williams and Dexter Lawrence landed first-round picks in deals, and edge rusher Maxx Crosby (briefly) netted the Raiders two first-rounders.
The Vikings were facing a difficult cap situation this offseason, but the four-year, $98 million deal Greenard signed with the Eagles is structured in a team-friendly manner. Greenard will have cap hits of $6.2 million in 2026 and $11.1 million in 2027. The Eagles will face a potential dead cap hit for Greenard well down the line, but the Vikings could have opted to give Greenard this same deal while reducing his cap number by nearly $16 million in 2026 and more than $11 million in 2027 in the process.
I understand wanting to open up more snaps for Turner, but for what they landed and what they apparently needed to pay Greenard to make him happy, I'd rather have kept one of my best players around for another year or two.
Dallas Turner looked good as he continued to carve out a greater role last season. He also had Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel to force the opposition to prepare for. Not only is that safety blanket now half gone, but the Vikings don't exactly have depth behind the youngster, either.
Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman before Super Bowl LIX between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Right now, there is an argument to be made that the Turner deal was both misguided and light. There's an avenue for it to get really bad if the Eagles get the 2024 version of Greenard (Pro Bowl, 12.0 sacks) and Minnesota is looking for answers on the edge.
