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Jonathan Greenard #58 of the Minnesota Vikings walks off the field after the NFL Preseason 2025 game between New England Patriots and Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on August 16, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Patriots defeated the Vikings 20-12. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
The Minnesota Vikings moved on from pass-rusher Jonathan Greenard after two seasons in a complicated decision that created an emotionally complex outcome on both sides of the equation.
Greenard held an opening press conference with the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday, April 25, during which he addressed his recent past on the field in Minnesota and his future with a strong Philly defense that should contend in the NFC once again in 2026.
But the 2024 Pro Bowler then took to social media and penned a candid message to both the Vikings organization and its fans after a relatively brief, but meaningful, stint there that will define the middle of his NFL career.
Minnesota,
I thank ya’ll for believing and taking a chance on me. I thank Kwesi [Adofo-Mensah] for allowing me to continue to live out my childhood dream. The bonds that I’ve made in that building will never be broken.
Being coached by [Kevin O’Connell] and [Brian Flores] were one of the best experiences since being in the league. I appreciate and respect the hell outta that organization. Business is business so it’s always love this way. I gave everything I had in the tank for ya’ll MN. Love. 58 ✌🏽.
Vikings Admit Losing Jonathan Greenard Will Hurt Team in Short-Term
GettyFormer Minnesota Vikings edge-rusher Jonathan Greenard.
Greenard produced 34 QB hits, 28 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, six pass breakups and five forced fumbles in 29 games for the Vikings.
He was a crucial free agent addition in the spring of 2024 ahead of a 14-3 campaign, which saw Minnesota earn a playoff berth and fall one win shy against the Detroit Lions in Week 18 from earning the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
A shoulder injury that required surgery cut Greenard’s 2025 campaign short by five games. And while his traditional production dropped significantly last year, his advanced metrics remained strong and he certainly would have contributed meaningfully to Minnesota’s defense had he remained in a Vikings uniform this upcoming season.
“He’s an impact player. It’s something we understand is not making the Minnesota Vikings a better team today,” Interim GM Rob Brzezinski said of the trade, per Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune. “But there’s a lot of factors involved, and particularly with the economics, we were able to reach a resolution that made sense for the Vikings.”
“We are going to miss him. We’re happy he was able to get himself a new contract, but this is not something we’re jumping around excitedly about,” Brzezinski continued. “We did feel like it was the best thing for the organization moving forward.”
Dallas Turner Next Man Up After Vikings Traded Jonathan Greenard to Eagles
GettyPass-rusher Dallas Turner of the Minnesota Vikings.
During his press conference in Philadelphia Saturday, Greenard announced his intentions to return to his 2024 form.
“I’m coming for more,” Greenard said. “Definitely trying to get back to that point of double digits to where I can affect the game.”
In Minnesota, the Vikings will ask more from 2024 first-round pick Dallas Turner, who is the likely replacement for Greenard as a full-time starter in 2026 and beyond.
Max Dible covers the NFL, NBA and MLB for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears and Cleveland Browns. He covered local and statewide news as a reporter for West Hawaii Today and served as news director for BigIslandNow.com and Pacific Media Group’s family of Big Island radio stations before joining Heavy. More about Max Dible