Eagles eye Jonathan Greenard as cheaper alternative at edge rusher

[ASFN Admin]

The Eagles love to rush the passer, and with multiple free agents at the position, Philadelphia is believed to have inquired about Vikings edge rusher Jonathan Greenard as teams continue calling Minnesota about a potential deal. Greenard would be a far cheaper trade target than Maxx Crosby, who was dealt from Las Vegas to Baltimore for the No. 14 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft, and the Ravens first round pick in 2027.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler noted that the Eagles have inquired about the pass rusher while working to re-sign Jaelan Phillip to a deal ahead of the new league year.

As a contingency, the Eagles are believed to have inquired about Minnesota's Jonathan Greenard. The Vikings have received many inquiries on Greenard, who will be far cheaper to acquire than Crosby. A Day 2 pick probably gets a deal done. But complicating matters is Greenard's contract. Teams say he wants a new deal. His current contract is set to pay him $38 million over the next two years. Mafe is also considered a viable edge option if the Phillips deal doesn't materialize.

Greenard, 28, is one of the Vikings' top defensive players and has two seasons remaining on the four-year, $76 million contract with the Vikings, signed in 2024. Minnesota is currently over the salary cap (-$1,447,959) and could make a subsequent move ahead of the March 11 deadline. Greenard has a $22.3 million cap hit and is due $19 million in 2026, but none of that money is fully guaranteed. If he is still on the roster on the fifth day of the new league year, $4 million of his base salary will become guaranteed.

A trade would save them about $12 million in cap space.

Drafted by the Houston Texans, Greenard recorded 12.5 sacks and was named to the Pro Bowl in 2024, but last season, the pass rusher dealt with a shoulder injury that ultimately required season-ending surgery in 2025. Greenard only logged three sacks in 12 games last season, but his pressure rate of 13.5% ranked No. 7 in the NFL.

This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Eagles inquire about Vikings edge rusher Jonathan Greenard

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