ESPN Proposes Chiefs-Vikings Trade for Jonathan Greenard

The deal would send the Vikings' top pass rusher to Kansas City in exchange for a top-10 draft pick.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 11:35pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a football player making a tackle, broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in vibrant colors, capturing the raw energy and movement of the sport.A proposed trade involving Vikings star pass rusher Jonathan Greenard could reshape Minnesota's defense and provide new draft capital.Glendale Today

ESPN has floated a potential trade that would send Minnesota Vikings edge rusher Jonathan Greenard to the Kansas City Chiefs. The proposed deal would have the Vikings receiving the 9th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and the Chiefs' 4th-round selection, while sending Greenard and a 5th-round pick to Kansas City. The trade would provide the Vikings with a high draft pick to potentially target a top defensive back, but would also create a major hole on their defense by losing their top pass rusher.

Why it matters

Greenard is one of the Vikings' most important defensive players, so trading him away would be a significant move that would reshape the team's roster and plans for the upcoming season. The Vikings have to weigh the potential value of a high draft pick against the impact of losing a proven pass rusher like Greenard.

The details

The proposed trade would send Greenard, who is entering the final two years of his contract, to the Chiefs in exchange for the 9th overall pick and Kansas City's 4th-round selection. The Vikings would then use the 9th pick to potentially target a top defensive back prospect like LSU's Mansoor Delane or Ohio State's Caleb Downs. However, moving Greenard would create a major hole at edge rusher that the team would need to address, potentially by drafting a younger player like Dallas Turner or looking to free agency.

  • Greenard is entering the final two years of his current contract with the Vikings.
  • The 2023 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 27-29.

The players

Jonathan Greenard

A 28-year-old edge rusher who has been one of the Vikings' top defensive players over the past few seasons, recording 12 sacks and 22 quarterback knockdowns in 2024 before injuries limited his 2025 campaign.

Felix Anudike-Uzomah

A 23-year-old edge rusher who was a 1st-round pick by the Chiefs in 2023 but has struggled to make an impact so far in his NFL career, with just 3 sacks, 14 QB hits, and 8 tackles for loss in 34 games over 3 seasons.

Mansoor Delane

A highly-touted cornerback prospect from LSU who could be a target for the Vikings if they acquire the 9th overall pick in this proposed trade.

Caleb Downs

A safety prospect from Ohio State who could also be an option for the Vikings with the 9th pick, though the value of drafting a safety that high is debatable.

Jeremiyah Love

A top running back prospect from Notre Dame who could be in play for the Vikings at #9, though the team may be hesitant to use such a high pick on a running back.

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What they’re saying

“This trade would value the difference between Greenard and Anudike-Uzomah — a former first-round pick who hasn't impressed with the Chiefs — as being worth the 54th pick, according to the Johnson chart, in a typical draft.”

— Bill Barnwell, ESPN Analyst

“Greenard will turn 29 in May, so he should still have a couple of years of impactful pass rushing before the Chiefs would need to worry about moving on. Greenard has two years and $37.9 million remaining on his deal, and though Brett Veach & Co. would have to address that contract with a meaningful raise, Greenard could still be an easily justifiable addition for the Chiefs, given their perennial role as Super Bowl contenders.”

— Bill Barnwell, ESPN Analyst

What’s next

The Vikings have until the 2023 NFL Draft on April 27-29 to decide if they will trade Jonathan Greenard or try to re-sign him to a new contract.

The takeaway

This proposed trade would be a high-stakes gamble for the Vikings, as they would be dealing away their top pass rusher in exchange for a high draft pick to potentially address needs in the secondary. While the trade could net the Vikings a premium defensive back prospect, it would also create a major hole on their defense that they would need to fill through the draft or free agency.