Philadelphia Eagles fans were expecting general manager Howie Roseman to make a splash trade during the NFL Draft, and he certainly delivered on it.
ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported the Eagles acquired Minnesota Vikings edge rusher Jonathan Greenard. The Vikings will be getting the 98th overall pick and a third-round pick next year from Philly. Over the past month, Greenard has been linked to the Eagles amid trade rumors.
Injuries affected Greenard's 2025 campaign in Minnesota, as he recorded only three sacks that season. That was on the heels of a Pro Bowl season in 2024, where he racked up 22 quarterback hits and 12 sacks.
Eagles got their edge rusher with Jonathan Greenard
The Eagles have been looking for a replacement for Jaelan Phillips after he bolted Philly in free agency for the Carolina Panthers. That left a gap in the edge rusher room led by Jalyx Hunt and Nolan Smith Jr., but the Eagles have also added Arnold Ebiketie and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka to help with the depth.
If Greenard can stay healthy, that should solve that problem easily. He would jump right into the starting lineup, leaving Smith and Hunt to rotate in, with Smith possibly getting the advantage as the more experienced vet.
This is a big moment for the defense, as they can still get a starting-caliber edge rusher who can put pressure on the quarterback. What makes Greenard potentially better than Phillips is that not only will he get pressure, but the sack number will go up as well.
Philly has now solidified the defensive line, as they will have Greenard under contract for the next two years, with a $22 million cap hit in 2026 and 2027. The bigger question is whether the Eagles will let him play out the next two years or potentially extend him.
Read more: Daniel Jeremiah's final mock draft ends with fireworks with stunning Eagles trade
All those dark days without Phillips ended sooner than they lasted, as now Greenard will be causing havoc in the pocket in the midnight green uniforms.
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