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On Friday night, during Day 2, the Philadelphia Eagles traded for Pro Bowl edge rusher Jonathan Greenard from the Minnesota Vikings, giving up two third-round selections (the 98th overall in 2026 and another in 2027) in return for Greenard and a seventh-round choice.
A four-year, $100 million extension was finalized right after, ensuring his stay in Philadelphia until 2031.
The Eagles lost Jaelan Phillips to the Carolina Panthers this offseason on a four-year, $120 million contract. They reversed course and acquired a Pro Bowl pass rusher for a lower cost, which many analysts describe as a below-market rate for his skill level.
ESPN's Seth Walder rated the trade an A-, referring to Greenard as a true elite edge rusher and a significant improvement over what Philadelphia had behind Nolan Smith.
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A pass rusher who elevates the pressure on quarterbacks
Greenard, who will be 29 next month, developed with the Houston Texans and achieved his most impressive individual season in 2023, recording a career-best 12.5 sacks in a contract year.
He signed with the Vikings in 2024 and made an impact immediately: 12 sacks, 18 tackles for loss, 22 quarterback hits, and 84 pressures, with the last figure matching Rams rookie Jared Verse for the highest in the league that year.
His statistics in 2025 declined over 12 games, yet rivals still needed to consider him.
He enters a room with the Eagles that includes Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt, Arnold Ebiketie, and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka. Phillips, Joshua Uche, and Azeez Ojulari all left this offseason. This marks Howie Roseman's third veteran acquisition during draft weekend in five years, and the trend is recognizable, I'll say strategic, swift, and difficult to dispute.
The trade cost two third-round picks, which is real. But Philadelphia ended up with a better player than it lost and paid roughly $20 million less for it.
More NFL news:
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- How David Bailey picked the wrong New York rival to call out on night one
- Sean McVay seemed somewhere else after the Rams took Ty Simpson
- Malik Nabers' reaction to Caleb Downs going to Dallas says everything
- Micah Parsons had one thing to say after the Cowboys draft Caleb Downs
- How the Eagles' Makai Lemon pick came directly at the Steelers' expense
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