MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Vikings face a brutal financial reality as the NFL’s 2026 legal tampering window opens Monday. Sitting roughly $44 million over the salary cap earlier this month, the front office has to make painful choices. Management already informed veteran running back Aaron Jones and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave of their impending releases. Now, star edge rusher Jonathan Greenard sits squarely on the trade block.
Greenard’s Massive Market
Greenard arrived in Minnesota in 2024 on a four-year, $76 million deal and immediately became a defensive staple. But money talks. Trading the 28-year-old edge rusher frees up roughly $12 million in crucial cap space. ESPN’s Adam Schefter dropped the hammer last week, noting that while the Vikings prefer to keep him, the financial squeeze makes a deal highly probable. Minnesota expects a Day 2 draft pick in return.
Washington stands out as an aggressive suitor. New Commanders defensive coordinator Daronte Jones knows Greenard’s skill set intimately from their time together in Minnesota. The Commanders boast the draft capital and a desperate need for a top-tier pass rusher to anchor Dan Quinn’s defense.
Aaron Jones Out, Draft Targets In
Minnesota officially pulled the plug on the Aaron Jones era. The team told the 31-year-old running back he will be cut at the start of the new league year, clearing $7.75 million against the 2026 cap. Jones battled injuries in 2025 but still flashed his signature burst. A reunion with Daronte Jones in Washington makes perfect sense. The Commanders need a reliable early-down back to pair with explosive sophomore Jacory Croskey-Merritt.
Back in Minneapolis, Jordan Mason takes the reins. Mason dominated down the stretch last season, racking up 758 rushing yards at 4.8 yards per clip. Still, Minnesota cannot ride one back for a full 17-game slate. The draft offers serious reinforcements:
- Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame): Scorched the turf at the 2026 NFL Combine with a blistering 4.36-second 40-yard dash. He is a projected top-15 pick.
- Jadarian Price (Notre Dame): A dynamic Day 2 option if the Vikings address other needs in the first round.
- Jonah Coleman (Washington): A bruising, physical runner who excels at moving the chains.
Veteran QB Insurance
The Vikings still need stability behind J.J. McCarthy. Enter Andy Dalton. The Carolina Panthers plan to move on from the 38-year-old veteran to develop a younger backup behind Bryce Young. Dalton requires virtually zero draft capital to acquire—likely a late-round swap or a cheap free-agent deal if Carolina outright releases him.
Dalton knows how to run an offense without making disastrous mistakes. He provides the exact type of sideline mentorship a young quarterback needs during a grueling season.
“I think that there’s a case where I don’t think the Vikings really want to deal him… but Minnesota, because of the financial questions and issues there, is gonna have to consider.”
— Adam Schefter, ESPN NFL Insider (on Jonathan Greenard)
Playoff Implications / What’s Next
Monday at noon ET dictates the entire trajectory of the NFC North. If the Vikings ship Greenard to Washington or another suitor, they instantly create a massive hole off the edge that Dallas Turner and Andrew Van Ginkel must fill. Clearing Jones and Hargrave gets the team closer to cap compliance, but general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah must hit on his draft picks to keep Minnesota in the playoff hunt. Watch the Commanders closely; they have the cap space and the coaching connections to poach multiple Vikings this week.
