The Minnesota Vikings‘ team will be fierce competitors in the NFC if JJ McCarthy is up for the challenge, and plays the way head coach, Kevin O’Connell, believes he can play when the organization drafted him with the 10th overall pick back in 2024.
But one area that will be interesting to observe over the next couple of months as training camp ensues, is the pass rush. The Vikings added Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave in free agency on the defensive line, but the edge rushing group remained broadly the same.
And for good reason; between Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel and last year’s first round pick, Dallas Turner, the top three members of the edge rushing group managed 26.5 sacks.
Between Greenard and Van Ginkel, the Vikings had the second most dangerous edge-rushing duo in the league last season, behind only the Broncos’ Nik Bonitto and Jonathan Cooper, who managed just half a sack more combined.
The Vikings Could Look To Bring In A Top-Five Edge Rusher
Yet, neither Greenard nor Van Ginkel are considered in the top, top echelon of edge rushers where the likes of Myles Garrett and Nick Bosa live. So in this trade proposal, Minnesota makes a play to add one of the best defensive players in the NFL in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ TJ Watt.
TJ Watt is reportedly frustrated with the team’s handling of his contract negotiations – one that is up at the end of the forthcoming season – according to insider, Jeremy Fowler.
“Watt appears to be unhappy with the fact that look, you’re bringing in all these other players,” Fowler said on ESPN’s Get Up back at the beginning of July, “You’re bringing in these veterans, and you’re paying DK Metcalf, Jalen Ramsey‘s a big salary. That could be money that’s allocated to me.”
Although Fowler subsequently notes that the Steelers do want their 6 x All-Pro to re-sign with the organization and become a “legacy player” for the team, a new contract has not been forthcoming.
What Sort Of Deal Would Be Expected To Acquire TJ Watt
Firstly, the Vikings would need to figure out the financials of a contract with the former Defensive Player of the Year. Right now, Minnesota has the 32nd most amount of cap space in the NFL for next year (2026) – i.e. last in the league.
However, that situation looks a lot less grave with the fact that Jonathan Greenard would be moving the other way, and the Steelers would thus cover his financial burden in 2026 and beyond. Moreover, the team has numerous other players, such as defensive tackle, Harrison Phillips, who could easily be low-cost cap casualties at the end of the 2025 season.
Greenard going the other way allows Pittsburgh to keep their pass rush afloat with a young talent, and also allows Minnesota to make the deal financially viable.
And whilst Watt is Greenard’s senior by 3 years, Watt is undoubtedly a generational talent – who many believe is still worth in excess of a first round pick in a trade on the market.
Minnesota Vikings receive: TJ Watt
Pittsburgh Steelers receiver: Jonathan Greenard, 2026 third round pick
