Kwesi Adofo-Mensah should take initiative with Vikings best defensive player to avoid issues that have hindered Minnesota in the past

Vikings should give Jonathan Greenard a raise

The next player the Vikings should target when it comes to modifying their contract is Jonathan Greenard. While Van Ginkel was the one who got the second-team All Pro nod, Greenard was arguably better and more vital to the success of the Vikings' defense under defensive coordinator Brian Flores.

He didn't just thrive against the pass, where he earned 12.0 sacks for his efforts. His versatility in all phases, especially against the run, elevated the defensive line to heights higher than we have seen for the Vikings in a few years.

When the Vikings signed him to a four-year, $76 million contract in free agency, they made a major bet that Greenard's 2023 season wasn't a fluke, but rather it would become a trend. They were rewarded with Greenard's best season.

Where things could get interesting here is how quickly Greenard has arguably outplayed his contract. When you take a look at how much some edge rushers are making on the market right now, it certainly makes Greenard's deal look like a super bargain.

Sunday afternoon saw the Kansas City Chiefs sign edge rusher George Karlaftis to a massive extension worth $23.25 million average annual value in new money.

With Karlaftis, who isn't as good of a player as Greenard getting $4.25 million on average more than he is, it raises questions about the future for Greenard in Minnesota. If Karlaftis is getting that much in new money, what is the worth of a player like Greenard?

This is where the Vikings can take initiative and prevent another possible situation like happened with Danielle Hunter. While Greenard didn't sign a poor contract that left him drastically underpaid like Hunter did, attacking the fact that he's already trending in the underpaid direction with an extension could be beneficial in more ways than one.

First off, it gives the Vikings more control over salary cap, as they can maneuver his contract to however they see fit to get themselves into a good position in future years. Second, an extension or a raise now could end up being cheaper than giving him one after the season. 

Just look at where things are at with Micah Parsons and the Dallas Cowboys. He wanted a contract extension done last offseason, and the Cowboys chose to drag their feet. That decision has likely cost them upward of $7-8 million per season. The same happened with Dak Prescott on two separate occasions.

Using a pre-emptive strike to get things in a good spot both short and long-term would be a smart move. Plus, it's another signal to players across the NFL that the Vikings take care of their own.

It would be a smart move by Adofo-Mensah, and Greenard would certainly appreciate it.