The Minnesota Vikings kicked off their first day of voluntary workouts on Monday, but one player was notably absent.
A very public fracture between the Vikings and star edge rusher Jonathan Greenard has dominated headlines over the past few weeks, and now the stalemate continues. After asking for a pay raise that Minnesota seems hesitant to grant, Greenard’s name has been tossed around as a potential trade candidate. Now, he’s officially sending a message by skipping the Vikings offseason program.
“I can’t speak for the days moving forward, but he (Greenard) was not here today,” said head coach Kevin O’Connell. “But it’s a voluntary camp, and I understand the things that come up from a business standpoint and we’ll just keep working through it.”
Vikings Edge Rusher Jonathan Greenard Continues His Pursuit for a Deal or a Trade
Greenard is coming off a down season by his standards with just three sacks, but is still looking to be paid as one of the league’s top pass rushers. And while he’s a valued leader and strong presence off the edge for Minnesota, the Vikings salary cap outlook is in dire straits, making a potential extension difficult. Meanwhile, the team has explored a potential trade, but nothing has cumulated into a deal just yet.
Greenard was coming off a great season in 2024, where he racked up 12 sacks, but was unable to replicate that success in 2025. Still, his pressures in the pass-game and stout abilities in the run-game make him one of the top players on the Minnesota defense.
It’s a tough position to be in for the Vikings, who will need to make a decision fairly quickly with the NFL Draft just days away. While a trade is possible, Minnesota is still hopeful to make a deal work with their star player.
“There’s conversations that take place with respect to players all the time,” interim GM Rob Brzezinski said. “Sometimes, things get public, and other times, they don’t. But he’s a really good player, and we’re happy he’s part of our team.”
The Philadelphia Eagles Are a Top Landing Spot for a Jonathan Greenard Trade
As for a deal, the Philadelphia Eagles have emerged as a potential landing spot according to ESPN Insider Adam Schefter.
“One possibility is adding Vikings linebacker Jonathan Greenard, whom the Eagles have checked in on at various points this offseason, per sources,” wrote Schefter. “The Vikings have been adamant about getting a premium Day 2 pick for Greenard. Philadelphia holds pick Nos. 54, 68 and 98 on Day 2 this year.”
The Eagles are looking to replace edge rusher Jaelan Phillips, who signed a monster deal of his own with the Carolina Panthers, and could turn to Greenard as a seamless replacement if they can come to a deal with Minnesota.
For now, Greenard and the Vikings remain at an impasse, but if a deal were to be made, it would happen by this weekend. In the event of a trade, Dallas Turner, Minnesota’s first-round pick in 2024, would take on a much bigger role in 2026.
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