The Chicago Bears play in the toughest division in professional football. The NFC North can be a true bloodbath in 2026, and with Ben Johnson's team playing a first-team schedule, every edge they can get over their opposition will be major.
That's why they may not love to hear that Jonathan Greenard's time in Minnesota might not be done after all. The Vikings were reportedly open to trading him after he wanted a pay raise. After he recently posted videos at the team's facility, though, there might still be hope about working something out.
Jonathan Greenard May Not Leave the AFC North After All
The Vikings gave Greenard a four-year, $76 million deal in 2024. Given his production, it looked like a bargain of a deal at the time, so it only makes sense that he's looking to get the money he's earned, even after a down, injury-riddled campaign in 2025.
Since arriving in the Twin Cities, Greenard has piled up 97 total tackles (60 solo), 28 tackles for loss, 34 QB hits, 15.0 sacks, six passes defensed, and five forced fumbles. He had 12.0 sacks in 2024 alone, and he's a force to be reckoned with as a pass-rusher.
Vikings' current interim GM Rob Brzezinski already has experience keeping disgruntled defenders in town on reworked deals. He was the architect behind Danielle Hunter's reworked deal when he was with the Vikings, so he could pull that off with Greenard again by converting some of his salary into a signing bonus and working out a short-term extension.
The Vikings have one of the best and most overqualified defensive coordinators in the game in Brian Flores. They might be a question mark on offense because of their quarterback uncertainty, but knowing that Flores would have one fewer weapon for his exotic blitz packages and uber-aggressive defense was music to the Bears' ears.
Ben Johnson and the Bears are more than familiar with Greenard's game, and they know what they're capable of. In fact, they would've probably joined his long list of potential trade suitors if in-division transactions weren't so rare.
Of course, this team should still like their chances against anybody, and they will be the team to beat in the NFC North until proven otherwise. However, they can't afford to rest on their laurels or look past anybody in such a brutal division, especially a Vikings team that will be thirsty for revenge in 2026.