The Vikings needed to make some moves along their defensive line in free agency if they wanted to stay competitive in 2024. With both Danielle Hunter and D.J. Wonnum set to be free agents there was no guarantee that the team would return any players with more than three sacks last season. So to kick off the NFL free agency legal tampering period the Vikings went ahead and brought in an elite edge defender.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reported today that former Texan Jonathan Greenard will be signing a four-year $76 million dollar deal that includes $42 million in guarantees as soon as NFL free agency officially begins on Wednesday.
Jonathan Greenard racked up 14 sacks for the Texans last year and brought pressure on more than 12% of his pass rush snaps. He was a top 40 pass rusher in the league by most meaningful rate stats and is just now entering the prime of his career as he turns 27 in May.
Defensive coordinator Brian Flores had been quoted saying the team needed a game wrecker up front and that's exactly what Greenard can be. He not only pressured opposing quarterbacks at a high rate, Greenard also logged 37 run stops last year according to PFF on his way to a total of 52 tackles for the Texans.
This move is just the first step in the right direction for the Vikings as they rebuild the edges of their defensive line. More on Vikings signings to come as they attempt to fortify their defense in free agency this week.
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