The top priority on the New England Patriots’ offseason wishlist should be to continue to bolster their pass rush for the 2026 season. As great as last season was, the Patriots need help to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks after finishing tied for the seventh-fewest sacks (35).
New England’s defense took a massive step this past season, thanks to the free-agent signings of Milton Williams and Harold Landry, and the breakout year from K’Lavon Chaisson. Chaisson’s future is uncertain heading into free agency, as he could get a massive pay raise from another team looking for pass-rushing help.
With that being the case, the Patriots might need to consider other options, such as Maxx Crosby or Trey Hendrickson. However, Crosby would have to be acquired via trade, and it might take a huge haul to get him out of Las Vegas. Therefore, New England should take a shot at trading for Minnesota Vikings defender Jonathan Greenard.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Tuesday that Minnesota is open to moving the 28-year-old linebacker, who just wrapped up his second year with the Vikings. Meanwhile, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler adds that the belief among teams is that "Minnesota wants a Day 2 pick" in return for Greenard.
Patriots Should Monitor Jonathan Greenard as Trade Rumors Swirl
The 28-year-old Greenard would be a solid addition for the Patriots, as he’s spent the last two years playing in a 3-4 defense in Minnesota under defensive coordinator Brian Flores, and he wouldn’t cost a ton, if that’s the going rate.
Looking at the Patriots’ picks, they have the 11th overall selection in next month’s draft, as well as a second-round pick at No. 63 and a third-round pick at No. 93.Â
Therefore, New England should try to move their third-round pick and one of their eight Day 3 picks to entice the Vikings, who aren’t looking to give him away. The veteran defender is coming off a down 2025 season, thanks to a shoulder injury that he suffered in Week 10.
Greenard racked up 24 quarterback pressures, 12 quarterback hits, 10 tackles for loss, three sacks, and a forced fumble in 12 games (10 starts). His production in 2025 was a far cry from what we saw in 2024, where Greenard was unstoppable.
The 6-foot-3, 259-pound defender wreaked havoc with 42 quarterback pressures, 22 QB hits, 18 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, and four forced fumbles. It was only the second time that he had double-digit sacks in his career.
The Patriots would love to add a player of Greenard’s caliber to a defense that was in the bottom half of the league's sack leaders. While that was good enough to get through the playoffs and regular season, New England saw the difference in the Super Bowl against the Seattle Seahawks, who ranked eighth in sacks (47).
The name of the game in football, no matter the level, is to win and dominate in the trenches. The Pats can further increase their chances of doing that by acquiring Greenard, who is under contract for the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
Greenard is not on the same level as a Crosby or Hendrickson, but the veteran defender could be the perfect piece, while providing insurance in case of a Chaisson departure.