Pundits didn’t necessarily slam the Minnesota Vikings for trading veteran edge rusher Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles. It was somewhat necessary with the team’s cap space situation. But the decision did hurt the team’s immediate ability to compete in 2026.
The Vikings, though, might feel much better about the trade after Greenard made a list at CBS Sports no players wants to be on.
CBS Sports’ Garrett Podell included Greenard on a list of the NFL’s all-overpaid team for 2026. Greenard was Podell’s selection for the highest-paid edge rusher in the NFL this season.
Right after acquiring him from the Vikings, the Eagles signed the edge rusher to a 4-year, $98 million extension.
“Greenard has yet to suit up in training camp with his new team because he landed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list with a pectoral strain sustained during weightlifting,” wrote Podell. “Given how closely the pectoral and shoulder muscles are connected in the human body, that raises some cause for concern. Especially when factoring in how his performance dipped in 2025 following consecutive seasons with 12-plus sacks in 2023 and 2024…
“Philadelphia is banking on a return to health and that 2025 quarterback pressure rate as signs of things to come for the 29-year-old, but the wait is still on to see him at Eagles training camp.”
Greenard will receive $24.5 million per season on his new deal. The contract won’t expire until March 2030.
Vikings Get Some Vindication on Jonathan Greenard Trade
The Vikings weren’t paying Greenard the money the Eagles are, so this isn’t a case where Minnesota can say it won a trade by offloading a bad contract.
But, the Vikings might have needed to make a new commitment to Greenard to avoid a summer contract standoff. Minnesota avoided that with the trade to Philadelphia in April.
Obviously, there’s a long way to go in the 2026 season and on Greenard’s new deal. But the early indications are that moving on from Greenard was the right choice for Minnesota.
Greenard can change that with a strong 2026 campaign. When healthy, he can still be an elite player.
But at 29 years old and on a deal that lasts four more years, the edge rusher’s health has become an obvious concern.
During his first season with the Vikings, Greenard posted 12 sacks with 18 tackles for loss and 22 quarterback hits in 17 games. Last year, he only played 12 contests because of a shoulder ailment.
In those 12 contests, Greenard had three sacks, 10 tackles for loss and 12 quarterback hits.
How Vikings Replace Greenard
The Vikings avoided an expensive contract with Greenard. But, the team still has the difficult task of replacing his production.
Minnesota will turn to a couple players on rookie contracts and a perennially reliable veteran for that.
2024 first-rounder Dallas Turner entered the starting lineup for the Vikings along the edge last season. He will be a Day 1 starter this fall, and the team hopes he can build upon the eight sacks he had during 2025.
Former Pro Bowler Andrew Van Ginkel will be back for Minnesota as well. In 2024, Van Ginkel posted 11.5 sacks on his way to a second-team All-Pro nomination. The arrival of Greenard that season helped the veteran edge rusher reach that career high.
Last season, Van Ginkel had seven sacks.
The Vikings could receive more production from defensive end as well if first-round rookie Caleb Banks gets on the field. Banks dealt with foot ailments during his college career, but he’s a high-upside prospect who has been healthy at Vikings training camp this summer.
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