Vikings Face Tough Call on Keeping Linebacker Jonathan Greenard

Greenard's contract, injury history, and roster depth create a complicated decision for Minnesota.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 10:09am

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The Minnesota Vikings are facing a difficult decision on whether to keep or trade linebacker Jonathan Greenard. Greenard is a talented pass rusher but missed significant time due to injury last season and carries a hefty $22 million cap hit. Keeping him would bolster the Vikings' already strong edge rushing group, but trading him could free up cap space to address other roster needs. The Vikings must weigh Greenard's production, health, and contract against the opportunity cost of retaining him versus using those resources elsewhere on the team.

Why it matters

The Vikings' decision on Greenard's future will have significant implications for their roster construction and salary cap management. As a talented player, keeping Greenard provides depth and playmaking on defense, but his contract and injury history make him a potential trade candidate that could allow the team to address other areas of need.

The details

Greenard is coming off a 2025 season where he played in just 12 games and recorded only 3 sacks, a far cry from his 12-sack Pro Bowl campaign the year prior. However, when healthy, Greenard is an exceptional pass rusher who would pair with Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner to give the Vikings one of the league's most formidable edge rushing units. The question is whether Greenard's production justifies his $22 million cap hit, or if the Vikings would be better served trading him and using those resources elsewhere on the roster.

  • On September 22, 2024, Greenard recorded a sack against the Houston Texans that helped seal a strong defensive outing for the Vikings.
  • In the 2025 season, Greenard played in just 12 games and recorded only 3 sacks.

The players

Jonathan Greenard

A talented linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings who has made the Pro Bowl but struggled with injuries in recent seasons.

Andrew Van Ginkel

A linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings who would form a strong edge rushing duo with Greenard if he remains on the team.

Dallas Turner

A linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings who would also be part of the team's edge rushing group if Greenard stays.

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What they’re saying

“You're never going to turn down keeping a talented player. It's hard not to question whether the roster without Greenard and the dominoes from that move isn't a more desirable outcome, though.”

— Ted Schwerzler, Writer

What’s next

The Vikings will need to decide whether to keep Greenard on his current contract or explore trading him before the start of the 2026 NFL season.

The takeaway

The Vikings face a complex decision on Greenard's future that balances his talent, injury history, and contract against the potential benefits of using those resources elsewhere on the roster. The team must carefully weigh all factors to determine the best path forward for the organization.