Jaelan Phillips Jonathan Greenard
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ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported with pursuits for Jaelan Phillips and Jonathan Greenard, the Philadelphia Eagles are set to be very aggressive in the edge rusher market.
It’s important to have backup plans and alternative objectives to those backup plans when it comes to NFL free agency. The Philadelphia Eagles appear to be developing that in the edge rushing market. Their own free agent, Jaelan Phillips, is at the center of it.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Sunday the Eagles are pushing to re-sign Phillips on a major deal. But as an alternative, Philadelphia also called the Minnesota Vikings about veteran edge rusher Jonathan Greenard.
“People inside the league believe Philly is attempting to re-sign Phillips to a deal that would pay him well above $20 million per year. But Phillips will have a strong market if he chooses to enter free agency,” wrote Fowler.
“As a contingency, the Eagles are believed to have inquired about Minnesota‘s Jonathan Greenard.”
The Eagles acquired Phillips from the Miami Dolphins for a third-round pick at the 2025 NFL trade deadline. Insiders, such as Fowler, have made it clear Philadelphia’s preference is to re-sign Phillips.
Greenard, though, could be available for an affordable trade. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on March 3 the Vikings “are now open” to trading the veteran defensive end as a potential cap casualty.
For 2026, Greenard possesses a $22.15 million cap hit. According to Spotrac, the 2024 Pro Bowler has earned $42.4 million during his NFL career.