The Washington Commanders are looking for some edge-rushing options to bolster defensive coordinator Daronte Jones' arsenal. And someone he knows well is now reportedly being made available.
Jones will have a vision for the future. The rookie NFL play-caller is practically starting with a blank canvas, especially where the pass-rush is concerned. This group fell desperately short of expectations last year, and only Dorance Armstrong Jr. is guaranteed to be back in 2026.
Going down the draft route is preferable. But if the Commanders want to kick-start this new era, they need a productive veteran with proven capabilities in this aggressive scheme.
Commanders could reunite Daronte Jones with Jonathan Greenard, but only for the right price
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Minnesota Vikings are willing to trade Pro Bowl pass-rusher Jonathan Greenard for the right price. He's got a previous connection to Jones over the last two seasons, and it didn't take long for the Commanders' name to come up in speculation on social media.
Greenard spent his last two seasons with the Vikings, gaining 12 sacks in 2024. This didn't go nearly as well last time around, with just three sacks in 10 starts. The Florida product didn't seem like himself after an injury, so he might get the benefit of the doubt from a team in desperate need of pass-rushing assistance.
Very few will know more about his regression than Jones. He'll be able to provide general manager Adam Peters with useful information on the player and what really happened last season. But with 24.5 sacks in the two years prior, it's more intriguing than most.
At 28, Greenard could also have plenty of good years left in the tank if there are no more problems on the health front.
Greenard has two years left on his contract and no more guaranteed money. The Commanders have the spare financial resources to absorb his cap hits without an extension. His contract will also be easy to get out of after one year if they choose to go down this route.
Compensation might be the bigger issue. The Commanders don't have many disposable assets to give away. It depends on what the Vikings want, but they would be lucky to get a Day 3 selection based on last season's efforts. And as luck would have it, Peters has four of those in the 2026 draft.
Jones would need to sign off on it, of course. Fans want to retain assets and focus on long-term planning. But if the price is a fifth- or sixth-round pick, don't be surprised if Washington takes another plunge.