There might be some questions about the Philadelphia Eagles' offense heading into the 2026 season, but there's no doubt about the defense, as this ferocious unit is ready to have another great year.
It helps to have one of the best defensive lines in the NFL, with two-time Pro Bowler Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, and Moro Ojomo. Philly added more help to the unit as they traded for edge rusher Jonathan Greenard from the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for two third-round picks. Greenard had a chance to appear on NFL Network as he was asked about working with Carter, Davis, and the rest of the defensive line.
"Yeah, it's going to be a disruption. I think those two guys can destroy and take over a game at any point in time just knowing that their physical traits. Just being around the guys so far in OTAs, it's just been pretty cool just to get a feel for how they are as human beings outside of football. And they're great guys. I mean, JD, he's gonna bring the energy every single day. But humbleness about him as well. JC is that quiet type of, you know, he can easily turn it on at any point in time. But those two together, they just feed off each other. And I told those guys, 'I'm gonna just feed off of y'all and just add to what y'all have already built here.' So I'm happy having those two guys there to obviously hold it down. And obviously, guys like Mo Ojomo as well, he's gonna be doing his thing. So I'm excited just in totality of our D-line being able to disrupt some games and win some games for us."
Jonathan Greenard makes it clear about Eagles' defensive line
The edge rusher position has been a concern over the last couple of years, as the team has not had a defender with 10 or more sacks since Haason Reddick in 2023, when he went for 11. After letting Josh Sweat walk in free agency last offseason and not doing anything about the edge rusher position, the Eagles traded for Jaelan Phillips midway through the season, which improved the pass rush, but Jalyx Hunt finished as the sack leader in Philly with just 6.5.
Greenard is coming off a down season himself, as he had only three sacks for the Vikings, but he dealt with injuries. 2025 felt like an outlier as he had 12 or more sacks in 2023 and 2024, so he's got a chance to bounce back in a big way.
Philly's edge rusher room is in an interesting spot heading into 2026, as they have the talent in place, but no one knows how they will finish the season. Hunt is an emerging star who proved he can do it all as he not only led the team in sacks but also in interceptions, with three. Nolan Smith is the other big-name edge rusher, but after his injury-filled down year in 2025 and his more recent arrest, there is some doubt looming over him.
When it comes to the defensive tackles, Carter is going to reset the market with his new contract coming up soon, but it's a matter of whether that happens with the Eagles or another team. Davis got his record-breaking contract extension this offseason, and Ojomo is in limbo with whether the Eagles will bring him back or let him walk in free agency next year.
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The Eagles feel like Greenard is the pass rusher they have been missing for three years, so if he can get back to being the Pro Bowler in 2024, this front four is about to be one of the NFL's scariest.
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