The Minnesota Vikings‘ relationship with Jonathan Greenard is officially over after the team flipped the edge-rusher to the Philadelphia Eagles on Day 2 of the NFL draft.
Minnesota got the 98th overall pick in Round 3 this year, which they used to select safety Jakobe Thomas out of Miami, as well as a third-round choice in 2027. The Eagles also offered Greenard a new deal worth approximately $100 million over the next four years ($98 million, per Spotrac), which includes $50 million in guarantees, per an ESPN report.
Greenard officially found out about the move while attending an NBA playoff game in Philadelphia between the hometown 76ers and Boston Celtics, and spoke about the development before leaving Xfinity Mobile Arena.
“This is exactly what I thought it was gonna be. Crazy environment, welcoming and everything, so I’m excited,” Greenard said, via NBC Sports Philadelphia. “I’m gonna bring that same energy I’ve been doing my whole time in the NFL.”
He finished his comments by calling Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio a “genius,” adding that he “can’t wait to be a part of” the Philadelphia defense.
Vikings Admitted During NFL Draft That Trading Jonathan Greenard Makes Minnesota Worse in Immediate
GettyFormer Minnesota Vikings pass-rusher Jonathan Greenard.
Meanwhile, Vikings general manager Rob Brzezinski also spoke on Friday about the deal he brokered to send Greenard to one of the elite teams in the NFC.
“He’s an impact player. It’s something we understand is not making the Minnesota Vikings a better team today,” Brzezinski said, per Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune. “But there’s a lot of factors involved, and particularly with the economics, we were able to reach a resolution that made sense for the Vikings.”
“We are going to miss him,” Brzezinski added. “We’re happy he was able to get himself a new contract, but this is not something we’re jumping around excitedly about. We did feel like it was the best thing for the organization moving forward.”
Vikings Will Replace Jonathan Greenard’s Output With Young Talents Like Dallas Turner, Caleb Banks
GettyEdge-rusher Dallas Turner of the Minnesota Vikings.
Dallas Turner, a first-round pick of the Vikings in 2024 (No. 17 overall), is the clear favorite to step into a starting role for Minnesota alongside fellow pass-rusher Andrew Van Ginkel.
Turner, 23, has two years remaining on his rookie contract plus a fifth-year option for the 2028 campaign. Van Ginkel, who was a Pro Bowler alongside Greenard in 2024, both players’ first seasons in Minnesota, has one year remaining on his contract.
During his second professional campaign, Turner tallied 15 quarterback hits along with 11 tackles for loss, eight sacks, four forced fumbles and three passes defensed. He also contributed 42 pressures and 27 hurries, according to Pro Football Focus, over 17 games played (10 starts).
The Vikings did not select a pass-rusher with any of their five picks over the first three rounds of the draft on Thursday and Friday. However, the team did use its No. 18 selection in Round 1 to acquire defensive tackle Caleb Banks out of Florida and the 82nd pick in the third round on former Iowa State interior defensive lineman Dominique Orange.
Banks and Orange will replace Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen, each of whom the Vikings paid in free agency in 2025 but released this offseason following one middling year of production.
If healthy, Banks should contribute to the pass rush with relative immediacy. Meanwhile, second-round rookie linebacker Jake Golday will offer a blitzing option in Brian Flores‘ scheme after tallying 3.5 sacks with Cincinnati last season.
Jonathan Greenard Sounds Off After Vikings-Eagles Trade, New Contract