NFL Draft: Eagles Sign Jonathan Greenard

The NFL Draft took an interesting turn when Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman made moves that clearly prioritize strengthening his team, even if it means impacting other squads.

On Friday, during the second round, Roseman added veteran edge rusher Jonathan Greenard to bolster the Eagles’ defense. This comes after the team’s loss of Jaylan Phillips to the Carolina Panthers in free agency.

In exchange for Greenard, the Eagles traded the 98th overall pick in this draft along with a third-round pick for 2027, receiving the 244th overall pick in the 2026 draft in return.

Shortly after cementing the trade, it was confirmed that Greenard and the Eagles agreed to a four-year contract extension valued at $100 million, with $50 million guaranteed.

So, what’s the reason behind the Eagles’ decision?

The addition of Greenard, who recorded 27.5 sacks over the last three seasons while playing for Minnesota and Houston, fills the void left by Phillips, who amassed 28 sacks in his five-year career.

However, it’s worth mentioning that while the Eagles spent significantly on Greenard, the Panthers managed to lock in Phillips for a four-year deal worth $120 million, $80 million of which is guaranteed.

The Vikings are typically cautious about trading away talent, but they faced a dilemma with Greenard requesting a contract increase. His current deal averages $19 million annually and still has two years left, despite a disappointing drop to just three sacks last season.

The Vikings were understandably hesitant to raise the pay of a player who had an off year while also wanting to avoid any potential contract disputes lingering into offseason camps.

When Roseman reached out, they decided it was best to proceed with the trade, resulting in a win for the Eagles.