Main Holdup in Vikings Trade Talks Revealed

Now that NFL free agency has slowed and the Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback room has been stacked with a requisite amount of talent, there are only a few objectives remaining on Kevin O’Connell and Rob Brzezinski’s pre-draft offseason to-do list.

The two biggest question marks are on Brian Flores’ defense, where we have yet to find out whether or not legendary safety Harrison Smith will retire and ride off into the sunset, or return to Eagan this summer to prepare for his 15th NFL season in purple.

Then, there’s EDGE rusher Jonathan Greenard, who requested a trade after the MN Vikings said no to a contract extension/pay raise. Greenard is going into the third year of a four-year contract that is scheduled to pay him $19 million cash in 2026 and count $22.15 million against the Vikings’ cap.

So, Greenard hit the trade market with his new agent, Drew Rosenhaus. Unfortunately for them, while the Vikings have gotten some interest in their 28-year-old Pro Bowler, they have not received an offer worthy of grabbing Minnesota’s attention.

Jonathan Greenard’s contract demands making him untradeable?

But on Thursday, we learned what is stopping a Jonathan Greenard trade from taking place this offseason. And surprisingly enough, it’s not the MN Vikings’ asking price… it’s Greenard’s.

According to what a high-ranking executive — from a team that has engaged in trade talks with the Vikings for Greenard — recently told Alec Lewis (The Athletic), the main obstacle to trading their talented pass rusher is the post-trade contract extension and pay-raise he’s demanding from potential suitors.

“In recent weeks, multiple NFC teams evaluated the Greenard trade idea. None has pounced on the deal, with a high-ranking executive from one of the intrigued teams saying the size of Greenard’s proposed contract was the central hurdle.”

Alec Lewis – The Athletic

Related: Disgruntled Viking Now Hinting at a Return?

In other words, nobody wants to pay Jonathan Greenard $30+ million per year to be their EDGE rusher, especially if it means sending the Minnesota Vikings multiple draft picks just to acquire him first.

Not the best timing to ask MN Vikings for a pay raise…

While the soon-to-be 29-year-old might want his paychecks to look more like those that drop into the bank accounts of top pass rushers around the league like Danielle Hunter’s ($32.5M), TJ Watt’s ($32M) and Myles Garrett ($31.5M).

And I’m sure he probably dreams of a day where his paystubs rival that of Micah Parsons ($40M) or Jaelen Phillips ($36.2M). And had Jonathan Greenard put up a third-straight season with double-digit sacks, interested teams might be more apt to pay him.

Instead, the Minnesota Vikings’ EDGE managed to wrangle opposing quarterbacks to the ground just THREE times in 2026, to go with 38 tackles and 12 QB hits in 12 games, while he dealt with injuries. His PFF grades were down slightly from 2023 and 2024, as well.

Throw in the fact that the Vikings are trying to trim money from their books this offseason, not add more to them, and it sounds like Jonathan Greenard might be stuck working for pennies on the dollar in Minnesota for at least one more season.

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