In 2019, edge rusher Jonathan Greenard was lacing up his cleats in Gainesville and was an absolute monster for the Florida Gators.
After amassing 50 total tackles, 9.5 sacks, four pass deflections, three forced fumbles, and one interception in just one season for Florida, Greenard moved on to become a third-round pick in the 202 NFL Draft.
He spent four years with the Houston Texans, who drafted him 90th overall in 2020, before joining the Minnesota Vikings and becoming a first-time Pro Bowler during his first year with the franchise.
Now, despite the Vikings wanting to keep him on their roster, Minnesota may have to wave goodbye to the former Gator.
Minnesota Vikings open to trading Jonathan Greenard
On Tuesday, March 3, ESPN's Senior NFL Insider Adam Schefter shared that the Vikings were open to trading Greenard, but really only if it came down to it.
Schefter reported that Minnesota wasn't keen on letting the former Gator go, especially after he earned 97 total tackles, 22 stuffs for 43 yards, 15 sacks, five forced fumbles, and six pass deflections in just two years with the Vikings.
However, as almost every team in the league has experienced, the Vikings are struggling with managing their salary cap, and with the 2026 NFL Draft approaching, they may need some of the slack allowed by watching Greenard go to another team.
Vikings are now open to trading Pro Bowl edge rusher Jonathan Geeenard, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 3, 2026
They would like to keep Greenard, but they also have salary cap issues they’re working through that have led to these trade conversations. pic.twitter.com/kLRO73aFOz
According to ESPN's Kevin Seifert, the Vikings are about $43 million over the NFL's set salary cap for teams. Greenard's current salary with Minnesota is worth a $22.3 million cap number and a $19 million cash salary in 2026.
While that money isn't necessarily guaranteed until the fifth day of the season (when $4 million of his base salary would be cemented), letting him go would save $12 million for the Vikings' cap space.
In other words, it doesn't entirely matter whether Minnesota wants to stick with the former Florida edge rusher or not. At the end of the day, it may just come down to how the Vikings want to spend their money.