Getty

Philadelphia Eagles edge rusher Jonathan Greenard played for the Minnesota Vikings in 2025.

There is really no one in the NFL doing their job like Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman right now, and the contract recently signed by Pro Bowl edge rusher Jonathan Greenard speaks to Roseman’s true genius.

Spotrac founder Michael Ginnitti recently laid out the details of Greenard’s 4-year, $98 million contract extension signed on April 24, and it’s truly something to behold.

“DE Jonathan Greenard’s Eagles Extension: 4-years, $98M base value, $50M fully guaranteed, Annual $500k escalator 4 void years for cap, 2-years, $50M practical (contract),” Ginnitti wrote on his official X account. “Cap Hits, 2026: $6.2M, 2027: $11.1M, 2028: $15.7M, 2029: $20.2M, 2030: $44.4M (void).”

That Roseman solved the central problem on Philadelphia’s defense by giving up just 2 3rd round picks — in 2026 and 2027 — to get Greenard from the Minnesota Vikings only adds to the lore. That he did it while avoiding a salary cap disaster — now and in the future — is the cherry on top.

The Eagles traded for Greenard to fill the void left by Jaelan Phillips, who left for a 4-year, $120 million free-agent contract with the Carolina Panthers — the largest free-agent contract for a non-skill player in NFL history.

“Jonathan Greenard is better, more productive and cheaper than Jaelan Phillips and doesn’t have the injury concerns Phillips has: Medically retired in college, torn ACL and torn achilles,” NFL reporter Chase Senior wrote on his official X account. “The Eagles also gave Greenard $50 million guaranteed LESS than the Panthers gave Phillips.”

Greenard Brings Unique Skill Set to Philly

The Eagles are getting Greenard, 6-foot-3 and 259 pounds, in the prime of his career at just 28 years old.

Drafted in the 3rd round (No. 90 overall) out of the University of Florida in the 2020 NFL draft, Greenard had consecutive seasons with at least 12.0 sacks in 2023 and 2024, but saw those numbers take a dip in 2025 as he played through a shoulder injury that would eventually require surgery.

Trading for Greenard was part of an incredible week for the Eagles and Roseman, who drafted the Biletnikoff Award winner in the 1st round with USC wide receiver Makai Lemon at No. 23 overall, drafted the John Mackey Award winner in Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers in the 2nd round at No. 54 overall as well as solving the edge rusher problem that’s existed since Josh Sweat left for the Arizona Cardinals in free agency following the 2024 season.

Eagles May Have Avoided Disaster With Phillips

While Phillips gave the Eagles a boost on defense in 2025, it was too little too late after they didn’t obtain him until right at the trade deadline. He also wasn’t the solution to the real problem — the offense.

The Eagles may have avoided a disaster with Phillips as well.

Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport called out Phillips’ massive new deal as the NFL’s “Worst Free Agent Signing” following the 2026 cycle.

“Of the five biggest contracts given out in free agency this year, three went to edge-rushers, with Jaelan Phillips getting the biggest of the lot when the Carolina Panthers gave the 26-year-old a four-year, $120 million contract,” Davenport wrote. “Thirty million a season is a lot to give a player whose career high in sacks (8.5) came as a rookie with the Miami Dolphins in 2021 … his pass-rush win rate last year with the Philadelphia Eagles was under 10 percent, and he has a lengthy injury history—he ruptured his Achilles tendon in 2023 and tore his ACL the following year.”