Jonathan Greenard breaks down threat of the Vikings’ defense, ‘we pride ourselves on…’

The Minnesota Vikings have one of the most dangerous defensive groups in the NFL, and Jonathan Greenard is all in on them being the best in the NFL.

Jonathan Greenard signed a four-year, $76 million contract with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024, after spending his first four seasons with the Houston Texans. He had a breakout year in 2023, recording 14 sacks in a contract year, before hitting free agency.

The Vikings let veteran Danielle Hunter go and replaced him with Greenard, who totaled 11 sacks in his first year with the team in 2024. Now, in 2025, he’s expecting even bigger things from the group.

Minnesota stacked defensive talent during the offseason, poised for monumental year in 2025

This Vikings defense is built on the pressure of the defensive line, true to the style of defensive coordinator Brian Flores.

Flores loves to apply pressure relentlessly, and since taking over the defense, the franchise has acquired both Greenard and former Miami Dolphins pass rusher Andrew Van Ginkel, who both had double-digit sacks in the 2024 season.

This year, they invested in that group even further, signing not one, but two of the most talented free agents available on the defensive line.

Minnesota signed defensive tackle Javon Hargrave to a two-year, $30 million deal, and fellow DT Jonathan Allen to a three-year, $51 million deal.

Allen has recorded 48 career sacks from the defensive tackle position in eight seasons with the Washington Commanders, and Hargrave has recorded 49 during his nine-year career in the league.

The pressure and experience of the group is incredible, and that’s without factoring in the talent of second-year player Dallas Turner.

Kay Adams asked Greenard about the defensive line this season and their mindset. In response, he said:

“We don’t want the ball to get to the linebackers or to the safeties. We try to pride ourselves on making every single play at the line of scrimmage, whether we’re getting a sack, a TFL, or just stopping the run in general for a minimal gain. That’s our mindset every time we step on the field.”

Adams also asked the Vikings pass rusher about Dallas Turner, who is going into his second season in the NFL after recording three sacks as a rookie in 2024.

Minnesota drafted him 17th overall in the 2024 draft, but he only played a rotational role in his first year as a pro.

Greenard spoke about his relationship with Turner as a mentor:

“I feel like I know a good bit of football, good things of being in this game now. Whenever I can just shed that knowledge to him, and he picks up on it that fast, just something that I told him is going to happen, I get super excited.

Like, brother you just figured this out in your first or second year, I didn’t figure it out until my sixth year.”

Greenard remembered the moment Turner got his first NFL sack against the New York Giants, and explained his genuine excitement anytime the guys around him are making plays.

Minnesota could have the best defensive line in the NFL in 2025

The front seven of the Vikings could be one of the most dangerous, if not the most dangerous in the NFL this season.

Greenard believes they have that potential. Kay Adams asked him directly if they could be the best front in the league, to which he said:

“We can be. I like us. I don’t see why not. I honestly feel like when we’re all on the same page, I feel like we can be that number one group. That’s how we practice, that’s how we carry ourselves when we walk around the building.

We know we’re going to get everybody’s best. If they’re not giving their best, then good luck to whoever’s in front of us.”