-
Tim McManus
Close
Tim McManus
ESPN Staff Writer
- Tim McManus covers the Philadelphia Eagles for ESPN. He joined ESPN in 2016 after covering the Eagles for Philadelphia Magazine’s Birds 24/7, a site he helped create, since 2010.
-
Kevin Seifert
Close
Kevin Seifert
ESPN Staff Writer
- Kevin Seifert is a staff writer who covers the Minnesota Vikings and the NFL at ESPN. Kevin has covered the NFL for over 20 years, joining ESPN in 2008. He was previously a beat reporter for the Minneapolis Star Tribune and Washington Times. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia.
Multiple Authors
The Philadelphia Eagles acquired Jonathan Greenard in a trade with the Minnesota Vikings on Friday and agreed to a lucrative new deal with the star linebacker.
The Eagles sent two third-round picks — the No. 98 selection in this year’s draft and a third-rounder next year — to the Vikings for Greenard, who then agreed to a four-year, $100 million extension with Philadelphia, his agents told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The new deal also includes $50 million in guaranteed money, according to his agents.
The Vikings selected former Miami defensive back Jakobe Thomas later Friday with the 98th pick.
Philadelphia also received a 2026 seventh-rounder in the trade.
“What you see is a relentless player with physical tools. He can win in multiple ways; he is hard to block,” Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said. “I know when we play Minnesota, we are worried about where he is at all times.
“We just felt like we had a really good D-line, but we really wanted to elevate it to another level.”
The Eagles have been searching for quality edge rushers this offseason. They prioritized re-signing Jaelan Phillips heading into free agency, but the contract he ultimately received — the Carolina Panthers signed him to a four-year, $120 million deal — surpassed Philadelphia’s offer.
Philadelphia pivoted to the 28-year-old Greenard, who had three sacks in 12 games last season after a pair of double-digit sack campaigns the previous two years in Minnesota.
The Eagles had been linked to Greenard for weeks, and Roseman acknowledged that they were having conversations with the Vikings this offseason.
Philadelphia’s brass met after the first round of the draft Thursday night, Roseman said, and concluded the team should go forward with the deal. Greenard was in town Friday night. He passed his physical and then attended the Celtics-76ers NBA playoff game.
Greenard joins an Eagles outside linebacker group that includes Nolan Smith Jr., Jalyx Hunt and Arnold Ebiketie. Greenard has 38 career sacks in six seasons with Minnesota and the Houston Texans.
“Always looking to improve our pass rush, to improve our lines,” Roseman said, noting Greenard is one of six players to have 12-plus sacks in two of the past three seasons. “Just a really fun guy to watch, a guy we’ve been studying for a long time.”
Greenard spent the first four years of his career with the Texans before signing a four-year, $72 million deal with the Vikings in 2024. He recorded 12.5 sacks and was named to the Pro Bowl in his first year with the Vikings, but he was slowed by a shoulder injury that ultimately required season-ending surgery in 2025. Although he managed only three sacks in 12 games last season, his pressure rate of 13.5% ranked No. 7 in the NFL.
Greenard’s contract had a $22.3 million cap number for 2026 and had a $19 million cash salary, well below the top tier of NFL pass rushers. Greenard was looking for a new deal, but Vikings interim general manager Rob Brzezinski said the Vikings had spent too much in the past two years to make a feasible offer.
While making clear that owners Zygi and Mark Wilf have not ordered a reduction in spending, Brzezinski said: “We have just spent so much money the last several years that it’s not sustainable for us to move forward. Our salary cap situation has been very, very challenging.”
The Vikings will save $12.25 million in cap space with the deal and will not have to pay any of Greenard’s cash salary.
Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell indicated that Dallas Turner, a 2024 first-round pick, will move into Greenard’s starting role. Rookie Jake Golday, drafted No. 51 on Friday, is likely to be a backup for outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel.
At the same time, Brzezinski made clear that the Vikings understand the trade did not make them a better team this season. He also accepted that some fans hoped to get more than a pair of third-round picks for Greenard.
“The value ends up being what the market will pay,” Brzezinski said. “[Greenard] is a great player, and I’m sure people have a lot of opinions as far as what the appropriate value should be for him. All I can say is considering everything, we thought it was in the best interest of all parties. Again, people can judge whether or not it was fair or reasonable for a player of that caliber, and we understand that, but it’s what the market would pay.”
Leave a Reply