By Alec Lewis, Larry Holder and Randy Mueller
The Minnesota Vikings entered the 2024 offseason with two pivotal needs: a quarterback and help on their defensive front. They wasted little time on the latter, securing budding free-agent edge rusher Jonathan Greenard. Multiple team sources confirmed the news Monday.
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The 26-year-old former Houston Texan recorded 12.5 sacks in 2023 and is expected to sign a four-year contract worth $76 million that includes $42 million guaranteed, a league source confirmed to The Athletic.
Also Monday, the Vikings agreed to a deal with fellow free-agent edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel, formerly of the Miami Dolphins, according to team and league sources.
Greenard played a major role in turning the Texans into a playoff team last year, playing opposite 2023 No. 3 pick Will Anderson Jr. A third-round pick by the Texans in 2020, he only played eight games (four starts) in 2022 — picking up 1.5 sacks — after dealing with a calf injury. But Greenard began showing promise in 2021 with eight sacks in 12 games. In his four-year career, Greenard has 23 sacks, 41 quarterback hits and 120 total tackles.
Vikings edge rusher Danielle Hunter is also a free agent, so these signings seem to suggest Hunter will be headed elsewhere.
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2024 impact
Greenard is likely to step in as the Vikings’ top edge rusher. Minnesota will lean on his experience not only in terms of the impact he’ll provide defensively, but also in the way he could serve as a voice for younger teammates at the position.
The arrival of Greenard and Van Ginkel makes it less likely that Hunter and fellow free agent D.J. Wonnum return to Minnesota. This leaves Patrick Jones II, Andre Carter II and potentially Marcus Davenport as the only additional edge rushers on the roster. The lack of depth places a hefty burden on Greenard to remain healthy and produce. There’s an internal belief that Greenard might have more untapped potential, too.
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Greenard’s locker-room impact is relevant, too. In 2022, the Pro Football Writers of America in Houston named Greenard their “Good Guy,” an award handed out to the player who shows notable professionalism in his dealings with the media.
History
Greenard’s history of injuries is worth discussing. In college at Louisville, he missed the 2018 season after suffering a wrist injury. He then transferred to Florida for his final collegiate campaign.
The aforementioned calf injury affected his time with the Texans, and last year, ankle issues limited his availability. When healthy, though, his consistent string of development stands out. Greenard’s performance improved each season in college. That progression has continued during Greenard’s time in the NFL.
Greenard’s value on late downs and in pivotal situations is notable as well. In 2023, he tallied 15 pressures on third-and-long and fourth-and-long situations, the 15th most among edge rushers in the NFL.
How Greenard stacks up
When Greenard is healthy, he’s a definite force along the edge. He displayed that in 2021 and 2023 (even though he missed seven total games in those seasons as well) with a combined pass pressure rate of 13 percent, according to TruMedia. Any team in the league would take that from an edge rusher.
Here’s how Greenard has stacked up among notable free-agent or franchise-tagged defensive linemen and pass rushers last season (overall league rankings in parentheses, minimum 200 pass rush snaps to qualify):
| player | Prsr% | Sacks | Prsrs | Ps rush snaps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
21.3 (2) | 10.0 (22) | 67 (18) | 315 (100) | |
18.3 (5) | 17.5 (2) | 90 (5) | 493 (17) | |
17.5 (10) | 6.0 (61) | 53 (40) | 303 (107) | |
17.1 (14) | 3.0 (118) | 37 (87) | 217 (173) | |
16.5 (16) | 5.5 (69) | 60 (27) | 363 (78) | |
16.5 (17) | 10.5 (17) | 75 (12) | 454 (33) | |
15.7 (23) | 9.5 (25) | 71 (13) | 451 (36) | |
15.7 (24) | 2.5 (128) | 17 (156) | 108 (188) | |
15.3 (28) | 9.0 (28) | 48 (53) | 313 (101) | |
14.7 (34) | 7.5 (46) | 66 (20) | 448 (40) | |
13.9 (39) | 6.5 (56) | 29 (111) | 208 (182) | |
13.7 (42) | 3.0 (118) | 29 (111) | 211 (179) | |
13.4 (44) | 16.5 (5) | 80 (10) | 596 (2) | |
13.4 (45) | 13.0 (9) | 65 (21) | 486 (19) | |
13.0 (49) | 7.5 (46) | 34 (95) | 262 (131) | |
12.8 (53) | 12.5 (10) | 48 (53) | 375 (70) | |
11.5 (66) | 1.0 (156) | 34 (95) | 295 (112) | |
11.4 (71) | 5.5 (69) | 54 (39) | 474 (22) | |
11.3 (72) | 11.5 (12) | 53 (40) | 467 (28) | |
11.3 (74) | 10.5 (17) | 41 (77) | 364 (76) | |
11.1 (76) | 8.0 (37) | 40 (80) | 359 (83) | |
11.0 (78) | 6.0 (61) | 40 (80) | 362 (79) | |
11.0 (79) | 9.0 (28) | 58 (32) | 529 (8) | |
10.8 (82) | 6.5 (56) | 42 (72) | 388 (67) | |
9.7 (106) | 2.0 (135) | 7 (185) | 72 (190) | |
9.6 (110) | 5.0 (78) | 43 (69) | 450 (37) | |
9.4 (115) | 3.5 (108) | 23 (128) | 245 (147) | |
9.3 (117) | 6.5 (56) | 38 (85) | 410 (60) | |
8.5 (130) | 8.0 (37) | 38 (85) | 449 (39) | |
7.6 (145) | 4.5 (91) | 36 (89) | 471 (25) | |
5.6 (170) | 0.0 (179) | 6 (188) | 108 (188) | |
4.2 (182) | 1.0 (156) | 11 (179) | 261 (133) | |
3.7 (185) | 0.0 (179) | 9 (181) | 244 (148) |
Given his injury history, there might be some buyer-beware vibes. But Greenard is a viable pass rusher who would help any team with an immediate need on the edge. — Larry Holder, NFL senior writer
Mueller’s scouting report
Greenard is a great addition for the Vikings. Their top three pass rushers all hit free agency, and his production, durability and age lessen the blow of the likely defections of Hunter and Wonnum. Greenard is sudden off the edge, showing game-changing quickness, and he can also turn that speed into power as a pass rusher. But he also gives them a solid run defender who closes with a high-energy motor in pursuit. — Randy Mueller, NFL staff writer
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Cap update
These signings don’t leave the Vikings with a ton of room. Even with quarterback Kirk Cousins departing, a hefty $28.5 million dead-cap hit will still hit the Vikings’ books in 2024.
The Greenard and Van Ginkel signings will affect what the Vikings do with their own free-agent edge rushers, too. Wonnum, whom the Vikings wanted to re-sign, is expected to seek a contract worth somewhere from $13 million to $17 million in average annual value. Minnesota now might be priced out. Hunter, meanwhile, is likely to pursue a contract worth about $25 million per season.
Outlook
The Vikings’ hopes of contending still rest on what happens at quarterback. Until they decide what to do in response to losing Cousins — like trying to trade up for a quarterback in the draft — it’s difficult to peg where they might land in a suddenly competitive NFC North.
Required reading
- NFL free agency rankings 2024: Top 10 players at each position
- NFL beat writer mock draft 2024: Trades shake up top 10 picks and QB landscape
- NFL franchise tag winners and losers: Baker Mayfield, good news for RBs and more
- NFL GMs, execs mock 2024 NFL Draft’s top 10 picks: Jayden Daniels over Drake Maye?
(Photo: Justin Casterline / Getty Images)