Four-Year Pro Defensive End Signs with the Vikings

Since being drafted by the Houston Texans in 2020, four-year pro defensive end Jonathan Greenard has been great on the field when he’s healthy. In the 2023 season, the Houston Texans shocked the league as they turned things around with their new group of guys and made the NFL playoffs for the first time since 2019. Houston’s defense was explosive, and that was partially due to Greenard’s play. After reaching the NFL Divisional Round, the Texans were eliminated by the Baltimore Ravens, making Jonathan a free agent. It’s just been reported that the 26-year-old defensive end has agreed to a four-year 76-million-dollar deal with 42 million being guaranteed by the Minnesota Vikings. 

From 2015-2018, Jonathan Greenard played college ball at the University of Louisville, before transferring to the University in Florida in 2019. He made his first start with the Cardinals during the 2016 Citrus Bowl, then in his redshirt sophomore season, Greenard led the team with 15 and a half tackles and tied for the team lead of seven sacks. In the 2020 NFL Draft, the future four-year pro defensive end was selected as the 90th overall pick during the third round. Between his first and second season, Jonathan played 25 games, but really made a jump during his second year in the league. Last season was his best statistical season yet. 

Greenard played in 15 games for the Texans in 2023. He had 52 combined tackles, 36 solo tackles, and 16 assisted tackles, while also recording 15 tackles for loss of yardage, 12 and a half sacks, and two pass deflections. On October 29th, during a 15-13 loss to the Carolina Panthers, the four-year pro defensive end put up six combined tackles, four solo and two assisted, with two tackles for a loss of yardage, and two and a half sacks. Jonathan has the chance to stand out with the Vikings and truly make a name for himself in 2024.