The Philadelphia Eagles traded up to No. 20 overall to select USC wide receiver Makai Lemon in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday night.
Lemon’s arrival likely forecasts Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown’s exit, as he is expected to be traded at some point this offseason, but not yet.
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman was busy making another blockbuster trade during the second round of the draft on Friday night.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter broke into the broadcast to report that the Minnesota Vikings traded edge rusher Jonathan Greenard to the Eagles in exchange for Philly’s 98th overall pick and a 2027 third-round draft pick. The Eagles wasted no time in giving Greenard a four-year, $100 million extension, including $50 million fully guaranteed.
Alec Lewis, The Athletic’s Vikings beat writer, wrote on X that “the asking price was too steep” for the Vikings and “even for many teams interested in acquiring.”
Lewis and Zach Berman, The Athletic’s Eagles beat writer, additionally reported, “Greenard, who turns 29 in May, had been seeking a new contract with a pay raise. The Vikings didn’t necessarily want to move him. This outcome provided the team with extra draft capital and more financial flexibility, as well as a runway for third-year edge rusher Dallas Turner to continue to ascend.”
The Eagles wanted to re-sign edge rusher Jaelan Phillips, whom they acquired at the Nov. 4 trade deadline from Miami, but Phillips left in free agency to sign a four-year, $120 million deal with the Carolina Panthers.
Greenard spent the past two seasons in Minnesota. In 2024, he racked up 12 sacks and career highs in total tackles (59), quarterback hits (22), and tackles for loss (18). Last season, he posted three sacks, 10 tackles for loss, 12 quarterback hits, and 38 total tackles, but he was limited to 12 games due to a shoulder injury that required surgery.
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