The Eagles Have a Pass Rush Problem — And Jonathan Greenard Might Be the Only Answer

Howie Roseman doesn't miss often. But right now, there's a five-alarm fire burning on the edge of the Eagles' defensive line, and the general manager knows it. Philadelphia's pass rush — the unit that was supposed to carry this defense into 2026 — is dangerously thin. And every move Roseman has made over the last week tells you exactly how worried he is.

Let's start with the uncomfortable truth: the Eagles' edge rushing group, as currently constructed, isn't good enough.

The 2025 Collapse Nobody Wants to Talk About

In 2024, the Eagles rode a ferocious pass rush to a Super Bowl title. Nolan Smith Jr. exploded for 6.5 regular-season sacks and a franchise-record four postseason sacks. Jaelan Phillips brought legitimate double-digit sack upside. Josh Sweat provided veteran depth. Haason Reddick's ghost still haunted the building in the best way — Vic Fangio's scheme turned everyone into a pass-rushing threat.

Then 2025 happened. And the edge fell off a cliff.

Nolan Smith Jr. regressed to just 3.0 sacks through 10 games before the season ended. Jalyx Hunt, the 2024 third-round pick who was supposed to develop into a complementary pass rusher, couldn't generate consistent pressure. By late September, the starters — Smith and Hunt — along with a revolving door of reserves including Joshua Uche, Ogbo Okoronkwo, and Azeez Ojulari had combined for essentially nothing off the edge. No defender on the entire roster exceeded seven sacks for the season.

The defense was still elite — Vic Fangio's scheme, Jalen Carter's interior dominance, and a secondary anchored by Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean kept things afloat. But the edge? It was the one area that actively held this defense back from being historically great.

Free Agency Has Made It Worse, Not Better

Jaelan Phillips signed with the Carolina Panthers. Gone. Josh Sweat is in Arizona begging for a trade back to Philly (or to Green Bay following Jonathan Gannon). Gone. Nakobe Dean is gone. Reed Blankenship is gone. Twenty players hit free agency, and while Roseman has made smart moves — Tariq Woolen at corner, Arnold Ebiketie at edge, Dallas Goedert restructured — the pass rush math still doesn't add up.

Here's what the Eagles' edge group looks like right now: Nolan Smith Jr., Jalyx Hunt, Arnold Ebiketie, and a 39-year-old Brandon Graham who says he's coming back for one more ride. That's it. That's the pass rush for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.

Ebiketie is a solid addition — 16.5 career sacks, back-to-back six-sack seasons in 2023 and 2024 with Atlanta. But he's a rotational piece, not a difference-maker. His $7.3 million deal (with $4.3 million guaranteed) tells you exactly what the Eagles think he is: depth. A guy who can spell your starters, not replace your star.

And Graham? Nobody loves BG more than this city. His strip-sack in Super Bowl LII is the single most important play in Eagles history. But a 39-year-old edge rusher is an emotional bet, not a strategic one. He's a mentor now. A culture piece. He's not your answer at getting to the quarterback 12-plus times a season.

Why Jonathan Greenard Is the Play

Roseman pursued Trey Hendrickson aggressively. He lost. Hendrickson signed a four-year, $112 million deal with the Baltimore Ravens — $60 million guaranteed — after Baltimore backed out of their Maxx Crosby agreement with Las Vegas. The Eagles were in the mix for Crosby too. They lost that one as well.

That leaves Jonathan Greenard. And honestly? He might be the best fit of the three.

Greenard, 27, is under contract with the Minnesota Vikings through 2027 at a cap hit of $19 million per year. He's seeking an extension — and Minnesota is reportedly open to a trade if the numbers work. Per Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Eagles have already spoken with Greenard's agent about a potential extension. This isn't tire-kicking. This is real.

What makes Greenard special is his versatility. He spent his first four seasons with the Houston Texans before signing a massive deal with Minnesota in 2024, where he immediately posted double-digit sacks. He can rush from a three-point stance, stand up in a two-point, and hold up against the run — exactly the kind of every-down edge player Fangio's defense demands.

Think about what this defense looks like with Greenard opposite Nolan Smith Jr. Jalen Carter collapsing the pocket from the interior. Jordan Davis — now the highest-paid nose tackle in NFL history after his three-year extension — eating double teams. Zack Baun and Jihaad Campbell roaming at linebacker. Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, and Tariq Woolen locking down the back end. That's not just a good defense. That's a defense that can carry a team to consecutive Super Bowls.

The Draft Isn't Enough

Some will argue the Eagles should just draft an edge rusher with one of their picks on April 23. And yes, this class has talent — Cashius Howell out of Texas A&M, Keldric Faulk from Auburn, Dani Dennis-Sutton from Penn State. But here's the problem: rookie edge rushers almost never contribute at an elite level in Year 1. Nolan Smith Jr. had 2.5 sacks as a rookie first-round pick. Jalyx Hunt showed flashes but wasn't ready to be a primary pass rusher. The development timeline for edge players is typically two to three years.

The Eagles don't have two to three years. They have Jalen Hurts in his prime. They have Saquon Barkley. They have a secondary that's one of the best in football. Their championship window is right now, and you don't keep that window open by hoping a rookie figures it out by November.

Draft an edge rusher AND trade for Greenard. That's the move. Let the rookie develop behind Greenard, Smith, and Ebiketie. By 2027, you've got your next wave ready to go.

The Cost Is Worth It

A trade for Greenard will likely cost a second-round pick, maybe a third and a later pick. The extension could push his average annual value north of $22 million. It's expensive. But what's the alternative? Running it back with a pass rush that couldn't generate consistent pressure in 2025? Praying that Nolan Smith takes a quantum leap at 25? Betting the entire defensive identity on Arnold Ebiketie and Brandon Graham's farewell tour?

Roseman has always been a swing-for-the-fences GM when the moment calls for it. He traded for A.J. Brown on draft night. He went and got Saquon Barkley when everyone said the Eagles didn't need a running back. He extended Jalen Carter before the man played a snap of his second contract.

This is one of those moments. The edge rush is the one thing standing between this roster and another deep playoff run. Greenard is available, he's 27, he's a proven double-digit sack artist, and he fits Fangio's scheme like a glove.

Make the call, Howie. The edge can't wait.