Eagles Surface as Trade Option for Vikings Star
Last week, the possibility of a Jonathan Greenard trade picked up steam, and days later, the Philadelphia Eagles emerged as a potential trade partner.
Philadelphia checks some boxes as a team to watch if Minnesota seriously explores a trade for Greenard.
Greenard earns $19 million per season, and a counterpart at OLB, Micah Parsons, brings home $47 million, prompting Greenard to seek a premature contract extension this offseason. If Minnesota cannot oblige the request due to a skimpy budget, Greenard could be traded.
Philadelphia Might Make Sense in a Jonathan Greenard Deal
Look out for the Eagles as a Vikings trade partner.
Eagles Poking around Greenard Trade
Greenard trade smoke is real, and the Eagles could be his next employer if the rumor mill has it right.
NJ.com’s Cayden Steele wrote Sunday, “The Eagles have inquired about Vikings pass rusher Jonathan Greenard as they prepare for the possibility of losing Jaelan Phillips, according to ESPN. Philadelphia is trying to re-sign Phillips before free agency begins on Monday, but they are ready to pivot in case it falls through. The Vikings have made Greenard available this offseason and want a Day 2 pick in return, according to ESPN.”
“Greenard recorded 12 sacks in 2023 and 12.5 sacks in 2024, but he had a down year this past season and only finished with three sacks. Missing five games with a shoulder injury caused his lack of production. He’s still a good player and could re-gain his status as one of the league’s best pass rushers next year.”
The Vikings should be wary of doing any business with Philadelphia; Eagles boss Howie Roseman usually comes out on top.
The Eagles’ EDGEs under Contract
Heading into free agency, the Eagles have these OLBs under contract:
- Nolan Smith Jr.
- Jalyx Hunt
- Jose Ramirez
For a proud franchise — one that won the Super Bowl in 2024 — that is a comically low amount of quality EDGE defenders. Meanwhile, Philadelphia is set to lose these outside linebackers to free agency:
- Jaelan Phillips
- Azeez Ojulari
- Brandon Graham
- Joshua Uche
- Ogbo Okoronkwo
It’s also worth noting that the Eagles generally have tremendous roster depth — everywhere. Trading for Greenard while letting Phillips walk could be just the start of its offseason plan at OLB.
The Price for Greenard in PHI Deal?
New Baltimore Ravens EDGE Maxx Crosby just fetched two 1st-Rounders in a trade between Baltimore and Las Vegas. Greenard won’t command that much capital, and most agree that the Vikings can pry a 2nd- or 3rd-Rounder away from the Eagles or another team.
A deal between Minnesota and Philadelphia might look something like this:
Vikings Get: 54rd Overall Pick (R2)
Eagles Get: Jonathan Greenard | 7th-Rounder
— or —
Vikings Get: 68th Overall Pick (R3) | 122nd Pick (R4)
Eagles Get: Jonathan Greenard | 196th Pick (RD6)
Over the weekend, DT Jalen Carter was mentioned by NFL media as a trade piece. After the Vikings cut ties with Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, Carter to Minnesota in a deal for Greenard could make sense.
Iggles Blitz noted on a possible Carter trade: “Jalen Carter’s name was mentioned as part of some trade discussions. This may or may not mean anything. First, 31 other teams can call and ask about a player. That doesn’t mean he’s being shopped. The other thing to remember is that the Eagles get talked about a lot because of Howie’s reputation as a deal-maker. Not every report that comes out is true.”
“Agents and other teams leak info to help create a market at times. It is possible that the Eagles talked to other teams about Carter. If someone made a huge offer, Howie might be tempted. You’d rather not give up a special DT, but economics are a factor. The Eagles will have to extend Carter sometime soon. And he won’t be cheap. Always consider your options.”
One must wonder, though, why the Eagles don’t want Carter long-term? What does Roseman know that the Vikings do not?
Greenard in 2025
Greenard’s 2025 season was underwhelming in the sack column. Limited to 12 games due to injury, he recorded only 3 sacks, which projects to roughly 4 over a full 17-game season. It was a disappointing figure for a starting EDGE defender, especially after his Pro Bowl performance in 2024.
However, his pressure statistics tell a different story. Despite missing five games, Greenard ranked 17th in QB hurries and 31st in total pressures, demonstrating a significant impact. Vikings fans often lamented “almost sacks” throughout the season, as Greenard consistently disrupted the pocket and troubled offensive tackles, but he didn’t convert those pressures into sacks as frequently as the previous year.
The Vikings face a straightforward decision. If they believe Greenard can rebound from his 3-sack season and return to double-digit sack production, they should compensate him accordingly. Conversely, if they doubt his ability to do so, they might consider trading him — perhaps for the aforementioned Day 2 pick — while simultaneously expanding Dallas Turner’s role and seeking another rotational EDGE rusher, such as A.J. Epenesa.
Championship-caliber teams typically seek a deep rotation of pass rushers. Generating consistent pressure on the quarterback is essential for success, and defenses become vulnerable when that pressure diminishes. In that vein, getting rid of Greenard feels upside down. The Vikings must weigh Greenard’s low sack total in 2025 against his continued ability to pester opposing offenses throughout the season.
For what it’s worth, Greenard could be traded at any minute.
Other trade partners for Greenard? Perhaps the Washington Commanders, New England Patriots, or San Francisco 49ers.
Greenard will turn 29 in May.
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