The Vikings trade talk around Jonathan Greenard did not fade before the draft. It sharpened on April 24, when Alec Lewis said Minnesota would not move the veteran edge rusher unless it got a premium return, and the question now is whether Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft brings a deal or just more noise.
Lewis said on The Alec Lewis Show that Minnesota has never really wanted to move Greenard, who turns 29 next month, but believes any serious discussion would have to clear a high bar. He framed that bar as something like a Day 2 pick plus more, or perhaps a third-round pick plus more, depending on how the market develops.
That matters because Greenard has been a real player for the Vikings. He posted a 74.2 overall defensive grade from PFF last season, ranking 31st among 115 qualified edge defenders, and added a 77.6 pass-rush grade that ranked 18th at the position. He also graded out at 77.8 against the run, good for 12th among edge defenders. His production included 47 total pressures, four sacks, 35 hurries, eight hits, 24 solo tackles and one forced fumble.
The trade speculation has been alive all offseason, and it picked up again after Adam Schefter reported on April 20 that the Vikings and the Philadelphia Eagles could revisit a trade for Greenard at the draft. That possibility fits Philadelphia’s need at edge rusher. Greg Cosell said on the Ross Tucker Podcast that Greenard is a really good player, an excellent edge pass rusher and a clear upgrade for the Eagles.
Chip Scoggins had already floated the idea on April 18 on Purple Daily, saying it would not be surprising if Minnesota moved Greenard during the draft if it could land a second-round pick. He also said the Vikings have made clear they love having Greenard on the roster and value him, while acknowledging that the team has also treated the situation as business.
The tension is that Minnesota has not sounded eager to part with one of its better defensive players, yet the contract discussion has kept the rumor alive. Lewis said the size of Greenard’s next deal is part of why the conversation has not gone away, and Scoggins echoed that the financial side is being weighed seriously.
If Greenard is moved, the Vikings could look to find a replacement at edge rusher, which would make the draft itself part of the answer. For now, the clearest sign is that Minnesota wants a return strong enough to justify breaking up a player it still values — and that price may be high enough to keep him in purple through the weekend.