It wasn't a huge surprise when it was announced on Friday at the 2026 NFL Draft that the Minnesota Vikings traded edge rusher Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles, since rumors of the transaction had been circling social media for days.
Still, it is hard to see Greenard leave Minnesota. He made the Pro Bowl in 2024 after earning 22 quarterback hits and 12 sacks, but struggled to repeat that success in 2025 with the emergence of Dallas Turner.
Now, the 28-year-old defender will be getting after quarterbacks for the NFC East while suiting up for a team that has been a thorn in the side of the purple and gold for a long time, but stays among Minnesota's most despised opponents.
Jonathan Greenard takes (unintentional?) shot at Minnesota Vikings after trade to Philadelphia Eagles
Initially, there didn't seem to be any bad blood between the Minnesota Vikings and Jonathan Greenard. However, that may change once fans hear what he recently had to say about his arrival in Philadelphia.
"I was in Minnesota, I didn't see any hardware there. I was in Houston, didn't see any hardware. So I actually see it and hear guys talk about it, you know, [Jalen Hurts] texted me and was like, 'We're gonna get one,' and it's not just talk."
Greenard is right. There is no hardware in Minnesota or Houston. Winning a championship is a huge accomplishment for any player and should be a goal. But he is not going to retain a lot of fans by talking smack about the Texans or Vikings when joining a new team.
This was a bit surprising to see after the heartfelt farewell to the Vikings that he posted on X on Saturday. In that statement, Greenard talked about the bonds he built in Minnesota, thanked the franchise for taking a chance on him, and said he respects and appreciates what the team has done for him.
Many Vikings fans will still root for a former player once they leave Minnesota if they endear themselves to them. However, getting in a jab about the lack of trophies while talking with his new quarterback about winning one and saying "it's not just talk" won't help.
The Eagles are a very good team, and Greenard should help to make them even better. He was a high-quality contributor for Minnesota, and he will be missed, but possibly not as much after what he said in his media interview.
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