The Minnesota Vikings traded away pass rusher Jonathan Greenard on Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft.
The haul netted them a 3rd-round pick in 2026 (Jakobe Thomas), as well as a 2027 3rd. Greenard and the team couldn’t come to agreements on a revised deal. He believed he deserved a pay raise, and the Vikings weren’t willing to give it. Greenard signed a 4-year, $76 million deal in March of 2024.
Fortunately for Greenard, the Eagles were willing to play ball. After sending the Vikings two 3rd round selections, Philadelphia gave him a brand new 4-year, $100 million deal. The agreement includes $50 million guaranteed, and got the Vikings off the hook for $12 million in 2026.
Now, it’s next man up. Minnesota felt comfortable with dealing Greenard since Dallas Turner has been waiting in the wings.
The Vikings drafted Turner at 17th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. Minnesota sent that year’s 23rd overall pick, as well as some day 2 and 3 compensation, to move up for the Alabama pass rusher. Earlier that round, the Vikings also selected QB J.J. McCarthy.
Now, going into year 3, Dallas Turner is an assumed starting edge rusher in Minnesota. The aforementioned Jonathan Greenard made his feelings on Dallas Turner known on Green Light with Chris Long.
Ex-Vikings EDGE Jonathan Greenard Opens Up on Dallas Turner
GettySEATTLE, WASHINGTON – DECEMBER 22: Jonathan Greenard #58 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates after his team defeated the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on December 22, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Jonathan Greenard didn’t hold back when talking about Dallas Turner.
“The next person up now is Dallas. I’m sorry, I’m gonna say it, Dallas Turner.
When he’s on, and he’s dialed in on the gameplan, the kid is a bottle of explosion. The guy, like I mentioned, is a 4.4 guy, and he’s only breaking the surface of how he’s gonna be in this league. But that’s who I’m taking care of next, I’m watching real close. I’m still gonna be talking to him the same way.
Like, listen, X,Y,Z has to happen or this is not gonna happen. Just the little small things you gotta have when you’re dealing with a young guy like that because they don’t know. As much as they are mature when you talk to them, you talk a good game. They still don’t know what they don’t know yet.
And that’s the part where I think he’s gonna take this big, big step. You kinda see him do a little bit towards the end of last season.
And now, this point, shoot, I said it’s time now. It’s your time, it’s your team, you need to go ahead and make that happen. So I’ll be looking real close for him and I know it’s gonna get done because that boy a dawg too.”
Dallas Turner Is No Longer the Future, He is the Now
Minnesota made the decision to trade away Greenard even though they are firmly in a win-now situation.
This is clearly a vote of confidence in the development of Dallas Turner. They could’ve rolled over and figured out the money for Greenard. However, they feel high enough on Dallas Turner in a Brian Flores defense to replicate or even out-do the production left behind by Greenard.
If Turner does pan out, then it checks a very important box for the Vikings: hitting on young talent on an aging defense.
Ex-Vikings EDGE Jonathan Greenard Reveals True Feelings About Dallas Turner