Jonathan Greenard was productive during his first Vikings season and remained a full-time starter in 2025. His Minnesota tenure came to an expected end during the draft, however, with a trade to the Eagles (and subsequent extension) being worked out.
Finances were a key factor in the decision by interim general manager Rob Brzezinski to execute the trade. Any big-money move taking place now would thus represent a surprise. Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner are still in the fold as edge rushers, but the Vikings could be among the teams which make an addition late in the offseason.
Alec Lewis of The Athletic notes Brzezinski has managed to fill a number of roster holes through free agency and the draft. The team’s pass rush depth chart, however, faces questions in the wake of the Greenard trade. As a result, Lewis notes at least one addition would be viable through trade or – much more likely – free agency leading up to training camp.
Van Ginkel has thrived during his time with defensive coordinator Brian Flores, racking up 18.5 sacks and 29 tackles for loss over the past two years. He missed five games in 2025 and is entering his age-31 season, though. Turner, meanwhile, saw his playing time limited as a rookie before taking on a larger workload last year. The former first-rounder made strides in 2025, posting eight sacks. A return to health from Van Ginkel and continued development on Turner’s part would of course be welcomed, but improved depth would represent a logical target for the front office.
Former undrafted free agents Bo Richter, Chaz Chambliss and Tyler Batty are still in the fold as things stand, although it would come as no surprise if Brzezinski (or his eventual replacement) sought out a more established option. The likes of Cameron Jordan, Joey Bosa, Jadeveon Clowney and Leonard Floyd are still on the market at this time. Any could be available on a short-term pact this deep into the offseason.
Minnesota currently has roughly $12MM in cap space. A portion of that figure will be needed to sign second-rounder Jake Golday to his rookie contract, but a low-cost free agent signing should still be feasible. With the division-rival Bears representing another potential EDGE suitor, it will be interesting to see how the Vikings operate on this front.
Seems like he was far more “productive” in 2024 being a 1st team all pro w/ 12 sacks in 17 starts then starting 10 games w/ 3 sacks in 2025 as a full-time starter?
ViQueens signed a UDFA EDGE in Kam’Ron Stewart as well as 2 UDFA OLB types. Unfortunately, due to either: finances, perceived opportunities, organizational preferences, EDGE’s available as UDFA’s ranked by one source as around top 30 at their position, Mason Reiger (Miami) & Vincent Anthony (Kansas City) went elsewhere. The gap in EDGE options is on the Acting GM.
Another team is looking for some mythical EDGE person to appear out of nowhere. Like they grow on trees and you can just go out and pick one. Like they’re easy to just find one and somebody will gift one to you. Still amazing that people see a problem and think hey just throw money at it, That’ll fix it.
what are you talking about? every free agent signing is a team throwing money at a problem and solving it. the article even mentions four (at least) serviceable options who the team can throw money at to solve their problem
And most of them turn out to be regretted wastes of money. And so would those 4 guys. There’s a reason that they’re not on a team.That they’re mostly over the hill and think they’re worth more than they are. People keep saying Jordan should sign with the Bears because he played for Dennis Allen. So what? Allen have some kind of youth serum? If so he should get out of football and make millions. Floyd was only good when he played with Aaron Donald. He in Minnesota? Hey go sign them and then watch them hit the IR in all likelihood. As a Bears fan I’m for it.
Agree 100%. Once in a while one of these guys will have a decent season, but generally they’re not worth it. They’re FAs for a reason, and rotational depth pieces that want big money.
Lol Floyd was pretty good in Buffalo and SF, too. Jordan has been consistently very good his entire career. Clowney is also a guy who gets consistent pressure on the QB. Boss was pretty solid last year but injuries are obviously a concern.
These are all really good players, and only Floyd is inconsistent out of that group. Clowney has never been a sack guy. He’s a pressure guy.
Floyd made between 8.5 and 10.5 sacks for five straight years between 2020 and 2025, so hopefully last year’s 3.5 was just an aberration rather than a sign of either terminal decline or inconsistency.
Clowney’s the one who’s been up-and-down the last five years, at least in sacks: 9, 2, 9.5, 5.5, 8.5.
My worry about the two of them is that they might be looking for starting jobs, not rotational positions, whereas Von Miller seems to have accepted that as his role, and I like the 9 sacks he put up for WAS on a one-year deal last year.
Jordan’s a 4-3 DE, not a 3-4 edge/OLB, so I don’t think he’s an option for the Vikes, at all.
Clowney or Floyd are the best fits as ED3 or Shaq Thompson if BFlo wants a versatile option Van Ginkle style.