The NFL’s legal tampering window opened at noon ET on Monday, sparking early moves among teams to negotiate with free agents before the new league year begins. One notable trade took place just hours before this period, with the Dallas Cowboys acquiring edge rusher Rashan Gary from the Green Bay Packers in exchange for a 2027 fourth-round draft pick. This deal is now affecting the Minnesota Vikings’ ongoing efforts to trade veteran pass rusher Jonathan Greenard.
Impact of Rashan Gary Trade on Greenard’s Market Value
Alec Lewis of The Athletic noted that the Cowboys-Packers trade sets a benchmark for the value of veteran edge rushers like Greenard. In a social media comment, Lewis highlighted,
“Informative here on Jonathan Greenard’s value,”
adding,
“The context makes it complex. But he’s worth a very premium return, so Vikings will understandably drive hard bargain.”
This suggests Minnesota is expected to negotiate firmly given Greenard’s potential worth.
Reasons Behind Jonathan Greenard’s Trade Availability
Jonathan Greenard is being shopped by the Vikings primarily due to salary cap considerations. The 28-year-old edge rusher faces a cap hit of $22.15 million in 2026, and trading him could free up roughly $12.25 million in cap space. Despite a less productive 2025 season—recording 38 tackles, three sacks, and one forced fumble over 12 games—Greenard had two prior seasons with 12 or more sacks, illustrating his proven ability.
Prospects for Greenard’s Trade and Market Expectations
At nearly 29 years old in May and with two seasons remaining on his current contract, Greenard remains a potentially attractive target despite the high cap figure. However, with the Cowboys and Packers deal now setting expectations for edge rushers of his caliber, the Vikings could face pressure to accept a mid-round draft pick in return. Observers will be closely watching whether Greenard draws strong trade interest in the weeks ahead and how Minnesota balances cap relief with value.
Informative here on Jonathan Greenard’s value. The context makes it complex. But he’s worth a very premium return, so Vikings will understandably drive hard bargain. https://t.co/JLkO6mf2bw
— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) March 9, 2026
