The Minnesota Vikings' potential trade of veteran edge rusher Jonathan Greenard has hit a lull, largely due to the team's high asking price and Greenard's desire for a new contract. As the NFL draft approaches, however, don't count out a resurgence in trade talks. Teams often reassess their needs and strategies during this period, and a compelling offer could still surface.
On the popular "Purple Daily" podcast, the situation was dissected with insights from various angles. Co-host Judd Zulgad discussed the contractual considerations for Greenard, while Darren Wolfson of KSTP provided a different perspective, focusing on the readiness of Dallas Turner to step up in Greenard's potential absence.
Wolfson expressed skepticism about the Vikings' readiness to significantly increase Turner's role. Despite Turner's promising performance last season-where he logged 702 defensive snaps and delivered eight sacks, 11 tackles for loss, and four forced fumbles-there are questions about whether he's prepared to handle the workload of 55 to 62 snaps per game consistently.
Turner's increased role last season was partly due to injuries to both Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel. He saw his highest snap counts in games where one of the two was absent, highlighting his capability but also the team's reliance on depth.
The uncertainty surrounding Turner's readiness to take on a larger role makes the Vikings' decision to trade Greenard even more complex. If the team isn't prepared to give Turner a more substantial workload, they would need to bring in another edge rusher to fill the gap-a move that complicates any potential trade.
As it stands, unless a trade offer for Greenard becomes too good to pass up, the Vikings may opt to hold onto their veteran pass rusher, ensuring they maintain a strong defensive front as they navigate the upcoming season.