Vikings Myths and Misses: The 5th-Worst Team in Football, Jonathan Greenard, GM Search

Kevin Jairaj

Weekly, we track Minnesota Vikings-themed items that are false, outrageous, or just didn’t work out as the masses expected. We call them nopedy nopes.

Minnesota’s post-draft rumor cycle has produced a few theories that need quick cleanup.

This week’s edition covers leaguewide power rankings, a seismic trade, and the search for a new general manager.

Three Offseason Claims Need a Closer Look This Week

These are the post-draft nopedy nopes.

Minnesota Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman (51) celebrates with fans after the final whistle, Dec. 1, 2024, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, following a win over the Arizona Cardinals with Cashman acknowledging the crowd after a strong defensive performance late in the regular season. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.

The Nopedy Nope: Your Minnesota Vikings are the fifth-worst team in the business, says NFL.com.

Eric Edholm ranked all teams after the draft, and he slapped the Vikings at No. 28 on his list.

Edholm explained the ranking:

After the surprise of the Caleb Banks pick wore off, the Vikings settled into a little groove with a few of their selections. Among the value picks I liked: LB Jake Golday, OT Caleb Tiernan, S Jakobe Thomas and CB Charles Demmings. Even a fullback in Round 5 didn’t offend me; if anything, it made me nostalgic.

I certainly understand Vikings fans could feel differently about it, given their personal investment in the team, but if Max Bredeson becomes the next C.J. Ham, it’s a good pick. This was not a year where fifth-round picks needed to be treated like military codes. Most of the same questions about Minnesota that existed last week still remain, although trading Jonathan Greenard both adds a worry and clears up cap space.

I wouldn’t be shocked to see the Vikes make a veteran addition or two in the coming months. They could use a center, a safety and maybe another receiver.

That’s brutal business for a team that had the NFL’s third-best defense last year, signed Kyler Murray in March, and has Justin Jefferson on the roster.

The Verdict: There’s just no way that Minnesota is the league’s fifth-worst team when it had the league’s third-best defense a season ago. Nopedy nope.

The Nopedy Nope: Jonathan Greenard would not be traded this offseason. Good teams don’t get rid of top-tier EDGE rushers.

Interim Vikings boss Rob Brzezinski pressed the button on the Greenard trade a week ago, and ESPN’s Kevin Seifert tweeted, “Brzezinski and Kevin O’Connell were somber tonight in talking about the Greenard trade.”

And Brzezinski personally said about the swap, “This is not something we’re jumping around excitedly about, but we do feel like we did the best thing for the organization moving forward. We have just spent so much money the last several years that it’s not sustainable for us to move forward. Our salary cap situation has been very, very challenging. The value ends up being what the market will pay, you know.”

“Obviously, JG is a great player, and I’m sure people have a lot of opinions as far as what the appropriate value should be for him. All I can say is, considering everything we thought it was in the best interest of all parties. Again, people can judge whether or not it was fair or reasonable for a player of that caliber, and we understand that. But it’s what the market would pay, and ultimately, we thought it was best for all parties, and that’s why we decided to do it.”

Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jonathan Greenard (58) celebrates a defensive stop with teammates during game action, Dec. 1, 2024, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as the Vikings faced the Arizona Cardinals with Greenard bringing energy to Brian Flores’ defense in a momentum-swinging second quarter sequence. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.

When the Greenard trade fodder kicked up, most scratched their heads, as serious playoff-contending teams hoard EDGE rushers. They don’t trade him. Ultimately, Greenard was too expensive at $100 million over four seasons, and Minnesota chose a deal that offered two 3rd-Rounders to replace him.

The Verdict: Nopedy nope on Greenard lasting longer than two seasons in the Twin Cities.

The Nopedy Nope: The Vikings will make public the names of their general manager candidates.

The Vikings said they would begin a general manager search after the draft, and they weren’t kidding. It’s just that the process will be hush-hush.

Minnesota Vikings owners Leonard Wilf and Mark Wilf react on the sideline before kickoff, Oct. 2, 2022, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, as the Vikings prepared to face the New Orleans Saints in an NFL International Series game showcasing the league’s global expansion efforts. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.

Minnesota’s main owners, Mark and Zygi Wilf, released the following statement on Wednesday:

With the conclusion of the 2026 NFL Draft, our search for the next general manager of the Minnesota Vikings is underway. This will be a thorough and deliberate process led by ownership, with support from a small internal advisory committee of senior leaders.

We have also engaged respected firm TurnkeyZRG to assist in conducting a wide-ranging search that includes experienced football executives, emerging candidates and individuals with diverse professional backgrounds. Our focus is to identify a decisive leader with a clear vision for team building, strong communication skills and the ability to build alignment across an organization.

Out of respect for all involved, we do not intend to publicly announce candidates and will provide further comment when the search is complete.

This is a new phenomenon for the Vikings. GM and coach searches are not usually conducted behind closed doors.

The Verdict: Nopedy nope on knowing Minnesota’s candidate pool for the next head boss.