The Minnesota Vikings did trade business with the Philadelphia Eagles during the NFL Draft, sending outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard and a 7th-rounder east for two 3rd-round picks. Fast forward four months, and Greenard may not be ready for the Eagles’ regular season opener.
Philly Voice‘s Jimmy Kempski wrote last weekend, “One of the things I was hoping to see from Greenard heading into camp was how well he had recovered from a 2025 shoulder injury that required surgery.”
“But after suffering a pectoral injury while lifting ahead of training camp, Greenard may not be ready to play when the regular season begins. There are now two injuries he has to prove he has overcome, and they’re both in the same neighborhood on his body. Whenever he plays he will not have had the ideal ramp up to live game action that everyone else has.”
It’s too early to declare with total certainty, but for the time being, the Vikings’ trade isn’t looking half bad.
Why the Jonathan Greenard Trade Looks Better Now
A Risky April Trade
We recently wrote an article about how risky the Greenard trade felt back in April – -and still does to an extent. Read that here. The logic, of course, applies, but if Greenard is already banged up out in Philadelphia, well, all bets are off on “who won the trade.”
The Vikings willingly offloaded their best defensive player from the last two seasons because his contractual asking price wasn’t in the budget. Super Bowl-contending teams don’t typically get rid of premium EDGE talent. They stockpile it.
But the risk looks less severe from an August standpoint. If Greenard doesn’t see the field to start the regular season while Dallas Turner potentially balls out, Minnesota will gain an early leg up on the trade.
Greenard’s Injury Risk Already Popping Up
Greenard missed seven games last year due to injury, and while he’s not known as an “injury-prone” player – – those exist – – the Eagles’ front office and coaching staff must be at least a wee bit concerned.
His 2025 shoulder injury required surgery, and a preseason pectoral strain has now interrupted his first Eagles offseason. He opened training camp on PUP and may not be ready for Week 1. You do the math.
None of that means Greenard is cooked, but it reinforces the risk Philadelphia assumed. Minnesota moved on before committing long-term money to a talented defender carrying multiple recent upper-body injuries. Plain and simple.
Vikings Avoided Large Financial Commitment
Is $25 million per year a financial death sentence for a marvelous EDGE rusher? No. Is $25 million per year a financial death sentence for a marvelous EDGE rusher who doesn’t play? Yes. That’s where the Vikings and Eagles are at right now.
Minnesota will look like the smartest kid in school if Greenard’s recent injury trend continues. Philadelphia could have buyer’s remorse as early as now if Greenard misses substantial time this autumn.
Think of it this way: if Greenard struggles to stay healthy, Minnesota’s decision will look even smarter because it avoided paying premium dollars for declining availability at a premium position.
Another Draft Pick on the Way, Too
To start the Greenard trade aftermath party, the Vikings drafted 3rd-round safety Jakobe Thomas from Miami. Time will tell if he blossoms. The rest of the trade is “to be determined.”
Minnesota banked an extra 3rd-rounder in next year’s draft, along with Thomas. It can spend the pick on a fancy new rookie or use it as tradebait for an existing veteran before the league’s trade deadline. There’s also next offseason when general manager Nolan Teasley could use the 2027 3rd-rounder to wheel and deal.
Thanks to the Greenard trade, the Vikings have more draft pick optionality.
Dallas Turner SZN
Turner alone may determine how sweet this trade ends up.
Minnesota created a larger role for the former 1st-round pick, and Turner responded with eight sacks in 2025 after a quieter rookie season. If he develops into the high-end EDGE defender the Vikings envisioned, Greenard becomes easier to replace internally.
Turner tallied three sacks as a rookie, eight in 2025, and will now inhabit a sure-fire starter’s role for the first time. If he erupts for double-digit sacks, no Vikings fan will care Greenard left via trade.
Next to Greenard’s obvious health concern, Turner holds all the cards on the Vikings’ outcome of the Greenard trade.
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VikesNow Verdict: Greenard can still make this trade look much, much different, but Minnesota’s gamble is aging well out of the gate. The Vikings escaped a huge financial commitment, landed Thomas, still own another 3rd-round pick, and handed Turner the baton to become their next premier OLB.
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