Source: Vikings agree to terms with edge rusher Jonathan Greenard

It took the Vikings roughly 45 minutes to make a splash on Monday with the legal tampering period in full swing.

As the NFL anxiously waited for star quarterback Kirk Cousins to make a decision, the Vikings agreed to terms on a deal with edge rusher Jonathan Greenard. A source confirmed the agreement to the Pioneer Press.

The signing can become official on Wednesday when free agency opens up. According to ESPN insider Adam Schefter, Greenard will sign a 4-year, $76 million deal, with the Vikings guaranteeing $42 million. The commitment to Greenard likely means that high-profile edge rusher Danielle Hunter will be headed elsewhere.

Though he might not be a known name quite yet, Greenard, 26, is in the process of becoming that. He posted a team-high 12 1/2 sacks with the Houston Texans last season.

Originally selected in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Greenard worked his way from a rotational player into an unquestioned starter. In a total of 48 games for his career, Greenard has recorded 23 sacks, 32 tackles for a loss and 41 quarterback hits.

The presence of Greenard provides defensive coordinator Brian Flores with a very talented edge rusher who can get after the opposing quarterback. The fact that the Vikings prioritized Greenard so early in the legal tampering period suggests that they are fully invested in giving Flores more to work with next season.

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