Most Philadelphia Eagles fans were excited and relieved when the news finally came in that the team traded for Minnesota Vikings edge rusher Jonathan Greenard.
This is over a month in the making after the Eagles lost Jaelan Phillips in free agency, so Greenard made for the perfect replacement, but some fans were concerned about him only getting three sacks last season after the previous two years having over 12 sacks. During his introductory press conference, Greenard discussed the struggles with that and why fans shouldn't be concerned.
"I think a couple times, had guys in my grasp, in my arms," Greenard said via The Athletic's Zach Berman. "Think there's probably lowering in the center of my target at times, and I'm trying to go for the ball, go for the kill shot, or something like that. And eyes get big at times. I think a lot of stuff goes into that. But I still feel like I rushed well. I still feel like I was still getting back there. I feel like my moves didn't drop off at all. I always tell myself, 'Listen, the day somebody's gotta tell me to get to the quarterback, that's when I'll need to hang it up. But outside of that, if my issue is wrapping a guy up, I promise I'm being good spot.'"
Jonathan Greenard struggled last season, but is ready to get back to form with Eagles
Greenard's shoulder injury had a lot to do with some of the concerns about the sack numbers last season. Many of the concerns from the fan base stem from the Eagles' own struggles with it last year.
While Phillips was one of the best in the NFL at pressuring the quarterback, he only had two sacks in his half-season with the Eagles. It was Jalyx Hunt who ended up leading the team in sacks last season with just six.
For Greenard, Eagles fans can just chalk it up to an off year in the sack numbers, but he was still effective in pressuring the quarterback. In 12 games, he still got 47 pressures and 35 hurries.
Read more: Grading every Eagles selection from entertaining 2026 NFL Draft
Of course, the NFL Draft day trade for Greenard is considered a bit of a risk for the Eagles, but it's one they need to make after not having an elite edge rusher at the beginning of last year. Greenard seems like the guy who can get the job done for Philly.
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