Report: Eagles keep inquiring about Vikings pass rusher Jonathan Greenard

After missing out on some top-level edge rushers, including retaining Jaelan Phillips, the Eagles are reportedly pursuing a trade for Vikings pass rusher Jonathan Greenard.

By Geoff Mosher
PhillyVoice Staff

Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images

Howie Roseman has his eyes on Vikings LB Jonathan Greenard.

The Eagles really need help in the pass-rush department after Jaelan Phillips left them to agree on a free-agent mega deal with the Panthers.

They took a swing at four-time Pro Bowl DE Trey Hendrickson, but the former Bengal signed with Baltimore after the Ravens backed out of their Maxx Crosby trade. Another potential option, Bradley Chubb, who played for Vic Fangio in Miami, reportedly signed a new deal with the Bills.

With few impact edge rushers left on the market, the Eagles might have to find their next one via trade.

Per The Athletic's Dianna Russini, the Eagles have stayed in contact with the Vikings regarding a trade for two-time Pro Bowl edge Jonathan Greenard. Russini reported that Eagles Executive Vice President of Football Operations Howie Roseman is even willing to extend Greenard's deal, which would be a pay raise.

After the NFL Scouting Combine, an ESPN Combine buzz report from Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano indicated that the Vikings were willing to trade the 28-year-old Greenard, a one-time Pro Bowler, and the Eagles were a team to watch.

Greenard had consecutive seasons of 12+ sacks in 2023 (with Houston) and 2024 (with Minnesota), and has really good speed off the edge. The 6-foot-3, 295-pound pass rusher has played in a 4-3 defense and 3-4 front. He has 38 sacks and 8 forced fumbles in his six-year career, with 59 starts. He was a third-round pick by the Texans in 2020.

If the Eagles trade for him, Greenard would join Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt and Jose Ramirez as the only edge defenders under contract with the Birds.

https://www.phillyvoice.com/report-eagles-inquiring-trade-jonathan-greenard-vikings-contract-extension/

I don’t hate it I’ll say that… We need more at DE but Greenard could be a good addition that just eases the need to take a DE early in the draft.

Another guy who can't stay healthy and had 2 great seasons and 4 duds. In 6 seasons. Not really excited about this move either.

7 hours ago, Bwestbrook36 said:

Another guy who can't stay healthy and had 2 great seasons and 4 duds. In 6 seasons. Not really excited about this move either.

I'm really hoping to keep the draft pick (likely a 3rd) and use it on a player we'd have under control for the next 4 years on a much cheaper rookie contract.

On 3/14/2026 at 4:53 PM, time2rock said:

I'm really hoping to keep the draft pick (likely a 3rd) and use it on a player we'd have under control for the next 4 years on a much cheaper rookie contract.

I'd probably lean this way. I don't think a player like Greenard is going to move the needle a whole bunch. Do I think he's a decent player? Sure. Do I think he'd be a decent addition? Sure. But he isn't going to move the needle much for us and ultimately where I am at is that this feels more like a retool / rebuild than it feels like a year where we are all out going for it. So yeah keep the pick, use it to bring in a player who we can develop (and can hopefully contribute in some way early on) and like you say have a player under contract who is relatively cheap.

33 minutes ago, UK_EaglesFan89 said:

I'd probably lean this way. I don't think a player like Greenard is going to move the needle a whole bunch. Do I think he's a decent player? Sure. Do I think he'd be a decent addition? Sure. But he isn't going to move the needle much for us and ultimately where I am at is that this feels more like a retool / rebuild than it feels like a year where we are all out going for it. So yeah keep the pick, use it to bring in a player who we can develop (and can hopefully contribute in some way early on) and like you say have a player under contract who is relatively cheap.

Last year I felt we would take a (slight) step back ... we did. That wasn't exactly going out on a limb though. We lost a good OC and replaced him with what most of us knew immediately was going to be a failure at OC and we also lost a decent amount of talent that played key roles on defense.

This year, I expect us to take a (slight) step back again. Howie will have his work cut out to add talent to the roster and work his magic with the cap. Adding someone like Greenard isn't going to be the difference in raising another banner the following offseason so I think it would be foolish to commit the fairly high draft pick it would take to land him and the cap space.