Trade rumors swirled around Jonathan Greenard, but quiet now. Is the Viking star staying put, or is a deal still brewing?
Jonathan Greenard has been a productive linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings. So productive, in fact, that he's been one of the biggest topics of the offseason around the National Football League.
Over a week ago, Adam Schefter reported that the Vikings star defender could command some attention through trade offers. He said the following on "The Pat McAfee Show."
"I don't think the Vikings really want to deal him, but it's one of those cases where if there's a team that offers enough to go get him, and I think it would be a Day 2 (draft pick), so a second or a third, I think Minnesota, because of the financial questions and issues there, is gonna have to consider it.
My guess is, in the end, when these things usually happen... usually a trade happens. So, I would say it's probably more likely than not, but Minnesota knows how good he is and I can tell you, isn't gonna be thrilled about giving him up."
So, Schefter believed that more than likely the Vikings would trade Greenard. Yet still, it's over a week later, and we have not heard much on that front. So, is Greenard staying or is the trade inevitable? It all depends on a few things.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) throws against Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jonathan Greenard (58) and linebacker Eric Wilson (55) during the second half at AT&T Stadium. Raymond Carlin III-Imagn ImagesThe first consideration is what the Vikings' team building mindset is now that they have a possible franchise quarterback in the fold. Do they go all in to build around quarterback Kyler Murray, or do they learn from how much their aggressive, all in mentality backfired last season and into this offseason?
One would assume the team wants to be more responsible with its spending. That said, it probably will not easily part with a game changing player on the defensive side especially with the one and done nature of what the team could look like beyond 2026.
Aside from Murray's one-year deal, defensive coordinator Brian Flores came back despite head coach interest in the interviewing process for what many believe could also be a one-year stint. With that the Vikings could be forced to focus more on the present than the more cautious would focus on the future.
Presently, there is no news about Jonathan Greenard after initial discussions that he would become a major part of the offseason trade and free agent frenzy. We will see if no news is good news with the player in whether or not he will return in 2026.