Howie Roseman and the Philadelphia Eagles made headlines in the NFL draft.
They dramatically jumped in front of the Steelers for first-round wide receiver Makai Lemon. They took a big swing on tight end Eli Stowers. And in the seventh round, they selected someone who has never played football before: Uar Bernard, an athletic marvel from Nigeria.
But the Eagles’ biggest move on draft weekend wasn’t actually a draft pick.
On Friday night, minutes after selecting Stowers, the Eagles traded for edge rusher Jonathan Greenard — a Pro Bowler capable of making a dominant defense the best in the NFL.
“It’s going to be something serious,” Greenard said Saturday at the Jefferson Health Training Complex. “We’re going to be a force to be reckoned with.”
Greenard was acquired from the Vikings in exchange for the Eagles’ No. 98 pick and a 2027 third-rounder. Greenard wanted a new contract, and Minnesota wasn’t going to give it to him. So the Eagles did, inking him to a four-year, $100 million deal with $50 million guaranteed.
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Greenard’s contract is a major commitment, especially for a team that just paid Jordan Davis and has extensions looming for Jalen Carter, Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean.
But Greenard is worth it. At least, that’s the way Roseman sees it.
“We just felt like we had a really good D-line,” the aggressive general manager said Friday. “But we really wanted to elevate it to another level.”
In reality, the Eagles needed to address the edge rusher position. Jalyx Hunt and Nolan Smith are starter-caliber players. Roseman also signed Arnold Ebiketie and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka to one-year deals as depth options.
But Jaelan Phillips left in free agency, signing a four-year, $120 million deal. Now, Greenard will replace him for $20 million less through 2031.
The former Vikings and Texans star brings pedigree with him to Philly. Greenard had 12 sacks in 2023 with Houston and 12 sacks with Minnesota in 2024. Last year, he had only three sacks, a notable dip in production.
But Greenard was still getting after the QB. His 16.6% pass-rush win rate ranked 11th out of 94 edge rushers with at least 200 pass-rushing snaps.
“I still feel like I rush well. I still feel like I was getting back there. I feel like my moves didn’t drop off at all,” Greenard said. “The day somebody tells me I have to get to the quarterback, that’s when I know I need to hang it up. But I promise you I’ll be in a good spot.”
Greenard also vowed that he’s “coming for more” sacks in 2026, hellbent on replicating his previous sack totals while still providing strong run defense in Vic Fangio’s scheme.
“There’s another level to be unlocked,” Greenard said.
Roseman is banking on that — from Greenard and the Eagles’ defense as a whole.
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