The Eagles made headlines in April with the acquisition of outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard via a trade with the Minnesota Vikings. The Pro Bowl pass rusher is only one season removed from a 2024 campaign that saw him reach at least 12 sacks for a second year in a row. Greenard battled injuries last year in Minnesota but is expected to participate in team drills come Training Camp next week.

"I had surgery back in December, so I'm just working back in," Greenard said during June's minicamp. "I feel pretty confident. (The team has) a good plan to get me back in and be ready to go for camp."

While Greenard hasn't been able to participate in team drills, the former Florida Gator has been practicing with the team throughout the offseason in OTAs and minicamp. Already, he is impressed with the team culture.

"We work as a championship team," Greenard said. "Attention to detail is there, we are working our tails off. Even after practice, we're doing extra drills just to make sure we're all on the same page."

Many things stand out to Greenard, like the relentless nature of his teammates and the continuous work they are putting in to get back to the Super Bowl.

"They're not going to settle for nothing less. It's infectious, so you either get with the program or you get left. That's not hard for me. I just get out there and work my tail off with the boys," Greenard said.

Spoken like a true veteran.

Entering his seventh season in the NFL, the 6-foot-3, 259-pound edge rusher has been told that he could be a coach one day based on the questions he asks during meetings. Greenard said that he has been picking Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio's brain if that time ever comes. However, Greenard believes a behind-the-scenes role in personnel is more likely after his playing days.

"I feel like I got a good grasp on how to eye talent and understand ball to where I can kind of put guys in the right position," Greenard said. "I always watch everybody."

A player who Greenard has had his eye on for a while is Jalyx Hunt. The young outside linebacker had a breakout sophomore season for the Eagles in 2025, becoming the first player in Eagles history to lead the team in both sacks (6.5) and interceptions (3) in the same season.

"Jalyx is a freak. He's an athlete," Greenard said of his new teammate. "How young he is and where his game could really go is crazy. He's making certain pass rush moves ... he's got this athletic bend that you can't really teach. It's just natural for him. He has a natural feel for the game."

Greenard remembers facing off against Hunt and the Eagles last season with Minnesota. In the second quarter, Hunt intercepted Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz at Minnesota's 42-yard line and returned it for a touchdown.

"(Hunt) doing these things, it doesn't surprise me because I've always watched him when I was in Minnesota," Greenard said about Hunt. "But he's been as advertised. So, I'm excited to see what he can do this year."

The new Eagle has also been impressed with fellow edge rusher Nolan Smith.

"Sometimes you think he's a seven-year, eight-year vet like myself sometimes, where we (can) just carry on conversation. ... He understands the position that he's in. He understands how, at the defensive end position, we can take over games. I think he's taking that as a chip on his shoulder. He's elevating his game."

"I'm really excited. Jalyx and Nolan, their game is only going to continue to grow. And I think my job here is just continue to help them with that. Any two cents I got, I'm going to (give them) to make sure that they get to that point that I know they want to get to."

Greenard knows his role as a veteran. He also knows the benefit as an edge rusher of having the likes of Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter lining up inside – it makes his job easier.

"Think about it all the time," Greenard said. "It's going to be fun because those are two guys who are selfless, but also understand how much impact they can have on a game. And I just told them when I got here, 'I feed off of y'all. I'm just going to let y'all do y'all thing,' and I'll eventually read and see how they like to play versus certain opponents. 'But I'm not here to slow y'all down. I'm just going to be here and kind of feed off of y'all and obviously add to it,' which I've already started."

Greenard knows what he can add to this Eagles defense with his play and experience. Just 29 years old, Greenard is the oldest player on the Eagles' defensive line entering Training Camp. Unlike most of the edge rushers and defensive tackles in the locker room, he also has experience playing for more than one team outside of the Eagles. Whether or not Greenard decides to become a coach after his playing career, he already has taken on the role of mentor for the young Eagles' pass rush. - Written by Caroline Connor