Kansas City Chiefs $9M defensive end linked to Minnesota Vikings $42M outside linebacker (Image via Getty: Kansas City Chiefs logo and Minnesota Vikings logo)
With just weeks remaining until the 2026 NFL Draft, speculation around picks and subsequent trade packages has started blossoming like no spring this offseason! In light of this, ESPN’s Bill Barnwell suggests an interesting trade package involving both NFC and AFC teams: The Kansas City Chiefs and the Minnesota Vikings. The Chiefs get picks in the first and third rounds, 18th overall and 97th overall, along with the Vikings outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard. Minnesota acquires the first-round 9th overall pick along with Kansas City defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah. Now, how do they make sense and fit into each other’s puzzle? Let’s decipher.
NFL Trade Rumors: Chiefs edge Felix Anudike-Uzomah tied to Vikings OLB Jonathan Greenard
Kansas City DE George Karlaftis was a first-round 30th overall pick, and DT Chris Jones was a second-round 37th overall pick. Both have proved themselves over the years. Karlaftis settled as a solid starter, and Jones’ impact has not dipped as much as his stats production suggests.Barnwell suggests that the Chiefs could not land an edge rusher at 9th overall in the first round. But if they were to think of acquiring Minnesota’s OLB Jonathan Greenard, they’d have a couple of years before worrying about finding a good edge rusher.Greenard recorded 59 total tackles, 12.0 sacks, 22 QB hits, 18 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles, and three passes defended in his 2024 campaign. He was selected to the Pro Bowl that season. Injuries plagued the final games of his 2025 season, but in the 10 games that he started, he recorded 38 combined tackles, 3.0 sacks, and one forced fumble. He will turn 29 this May, but he will have a few impactful pass-rushing years before Kansas City chases for another player.
Minnesota edge could ask for meaningful raise in Kansas City
As for Greenard’s contract, the Florida alum signed a four-year, $76M contract in 2024. He still has two years and $37M left on his deal. In 2026, he is scheduled to earn an $18M base salary and a $100K workout bonus while carrying a $22M cap hit and a $13M dead cap value. His total career earnings are $42M.Chiefs GM Brett Veach may have to offer a meaningful raise, as Greenard could be a “justifiable addition” to the perennial Super Bowl contenders. 2025 was the only season they did not make it to the playoffs in over a decade! Anyhow, a pass-rushing boost may give them the hope they need for the 2026 chapter.As for Anudike-Uzomah’s contract details: he signed a four-year, $11M contract with Kansas City in 2023. He is scheduled to earn a $2M base salary while carrying a $3.7M cap hit and a $1.3M dead cap value in 2026. His total career earnings are $9M.
Jimmy Johnson chart for Chiefs and Vikings trade
As for the Vikings’ picture? Barnwell states that, as per the Jimmy Johnson chart, the difference between Greenard and Anudike-Uzomah is worth the 54th pick in a typical draft. Greenard is a proven productive starter, whereas Anudike-Uzomah is a newbie struggling to leave an impact. Their difference is 54th overall pick, which is equivalent to a mid-second-round selection.Long story short: they would move from 18th overall pick to premier 9th overall pick, thereby getting a chance to acquire one of the best defensive backs in this draft class.
Brian Flores could eye Mansoor Delane as 9th overall or Caleb Downs as Harrison Smith replacement
Barnwell predicts LSU Tigers cornerback Mansoor Delane for Minnesota under Brian Flores’ reign as defensive coordinator. The idea of Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs in a Flores defense sounds “tantalizing” to Barnwell, but if that happens, he’d be the perfect Harrison Smith replacement because he can excel both in run defense and coverage just like Smith. The veteran was released on March 11.
Jonathan Greenard’s departure would give Dallas Turner chance
As for the rest of the Vikings players: If Greenard’s not there, it would create an opening in the starting lineup for Dallas Turner. Turner stepped up when Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel were injured last year. Turner is a 2024 first-round pick. He recorded 42 total pressures as a pass rusher [9 sacks, 27 hurries, and 6 hits]. He also recorded 35 solo tackles with four forced fumbles. His overall PFF grade was 65.6 in 2025, which ranked him 62nd among 115 qualified edge defenders. His PFF pass-rush grade was 70.2, which ranked him 38th among others, and his PFF run-defense grade was 66.9, which also ranked him 38th among others. So, would the Chiefs and the Vikings consider this trade package? Remains to be seen… Go to Source
