Rightfully so, some were skeptical of the decision made by the Minnesota Vikings earlier this year to move on from longtime pass rusher Danielle Hunter and replace him in free agency with former Houston Texans defender Jonathan Greenard.
But three weeks into Greenard's first regular season with the Vikings, the team's choice to sign him already looks like a great one, especially following his most recent performance, which has resulted in the new Minnesota edge rusher being named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week.
JG!!! 😤@jongreenard7 has been named NFC Defensive Player of the Week.
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 25, 2024
📰: https://t.co/FJ5bIfnrQO pic.twitter.com/tOxMQeNPEo
Minnesota Vikings OLB Jonathan Greenard named NFC Defensive Player of the Week
Against his former team, it certainly seemed like Greenard had something to prove in the Vikings' Week 3 win. He delivered a masterful performance during the victory over the Texans, as he finished with five pressures, three tackles, and three sacks.
Greenard's three sacks are the most he's ever had in a single game since entering the NFL in 2020, and it resulted in him earning the very first Player of the Week award of his pro career.
Through three games this season, Greenard leads all Minnesota defenders with 17 pressures, and his four sacks are tied for the team lead with Patrick Jones II. His 17 pressures this year are also tied for the third-most in the entire NFL.
Greenard began his career in the league with Houston when they selected him in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft. In four seasons with the Texans, he developed into one of the most underrated pass rushers in the league, as he accumulated 23 sacks in 48 appearances, including 12.5 in 2023.
For whatever reason, Houston let Greenard hit free agency this offseason, and that allowed the Vikings to swoop in and sign him to a four-year contract worth $76 million.
He already had plenty of motivation going up against the Texans this past Sunday, but then his former team began the matchup by using a rookie tight end to attempt to block him, and he felt he had to make them pay for disrespecting him in that way.
Minnesota was happy to have Greenard on its sideline in Week 3, and his performance in the win seemed like it was just a preview of what's to come from the talented pass rusher during his first season with the franchise.