The Philadelphia Eagles aren’t expected to be done adding to their defensive side of the football, and the same name continues to come up off the edge.
Trade interest in Jonathan Greenard, currently with the Minnesota Vikings, is reportedly building, as Philadelphia looks to continue improving after losing Jaelan Phillips. He’s someone the Eagles are interested in, according to The Athletic’s Alec Lewis.
“I think over the course of the last week or last two weeks, it probably seemed more imminent than it was. I would say that the Minnesota Vikings have been very clear from the outset that they are doing this on their terms. So they are not going to trade a talented player that they’ve really liked having, Jonathan Greenard, unless it makes a lot of sense for them to do that.
“I would say the Philadelphia Eagles definitely still need edge rusher talent. I mean, they have Jalyx Hunt, they signed Arnold Ebiketie, they have Nolan Smith Jr., but to have another elite edge rusher, it’s part of the reason they were in on Jaelan Phillips. And then I think the Indianapolis Colts are kind of in a similar vein.”
According to insider Benjamin Allbright, the interest is very real.
“The Eagles remain very interested in trading for Minnesota Vikings EDGE Jonathan Greenard,” he said, adding that Greenard “is a disruptive pass rusher and a really good run defender” who could thrive alongside Philadelphia’s current defensive personnel.
Replacing Phillips won’t be tough, but it’ll be far from easy. The issue with him is that he signed a somewhat expensive deal, so the Eagles either didn’t want to pay him or thought they could do so with someone like Greenard.
A player with Greenard’s production won’t be easy to trade for, though, even if Minnesota is open to dealing him. Philadelphia would have to trade decent draft capital, and Howie Roseman should be willing to make a deal for him if things go as planned.
At the very least, it’s good to hear that the Eagles still have some interest after there were rumors about them wanting him over the past few months.