Jonathan Greenard Is Becoming Kwesi’s Defining Move
Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah spent the offseason scouring the free agent market. His target? Not just great players, not just particular positional needs, but ones that best fit Kevin O’Connell and Brian Flores’ schemes. After a 7-2 start, it’s hard to find a GM that’s been more vindicated for their strategy. Of his 13 new additions, all but one (Jonah Williams) made the initial 53-man roster and have made notable contributions this season.
Nine of them were on defense as the team aimed to equip Flores with the tools to fully realize his dynamic, aggressive style of play. Some players fit specific roles, but most had versatile, but distinctive profiles that Flores uses to stew mixed formations that make his schemes unique.
For financial and fit reasons, the team elected to not resign Danielle Hunter, whose 87.5 sacks during his eight seasons as a Viking would be hard to replace. But the cornerstone player’s role as a traditional 4-3 defensive end made him less suited to Flores’ way of doing things. Hunter lacks the elite athleticism required to cover multiple gaps or drop into coverage on certain play designs. The $24.5 million a year salary did not justify paying a player who was turning 30 and had versatility limitations.
That’s how business in the NFL works sometimes.
The team instead signed Jonathan Greenard to a four-year deal to build off a career season. It was a risky play at the time, as before his 2023 breakout, he’d yet to play a full season. But he was cheaper than Hunter and a better fit for Flores, so they rolled the dice, and it paid off. Especially since the Vikings were able to shop for Andrew Van Ginkel and Blake Cashman to play alongside him.
But as great as the other additions have been, Greenard is chewing the scenery on a defense full of show-stoppers. Through nine games, he leads the Vikings in PFF defensive grade (83.3) and pass-rush grade (81.3) while tied for third in the NFL with pressures (48) and tied for seventh in sacks (7.0). He has also been rock-solid against the run, sporting a 77.5 PPF run defense grade that ranks fourth amongst all Vikings defenders, which highlights exactly what his versatility brings to Flores’ defensive line spacing scheme.
He has instinctive footwork in cornering the edge and is decisive about playing off or around blocks while possessing lateral agility. Against the Jaguars last Sunday, Greenard (No. 58) side-steps the pulling left guard with a subtle shoulder turn to avoid the block and makes an impressive tackle to prevent a big running play as a lane was opening on the right side of the line.
Jonathan Greenard might be a ninja, absolutely no idea how he made this play. pic.twitter.com/BO6VQW21Gn
— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) November 12, 2024
His natural fluidity is evident in his execution, which allows him to gain leverage consistently, and he uses his forceful hands to shed blocks with quickness and strength to either gain control or counter with a spin move. Against the Lions Taylor Decker in Week 6, we can see him use his active hands for a sack, then a counter-spin late in the game to disrupt a pass.
Jonathan Greenard beating Taylor Decker on two key plays late in the game pic.twitter.com/SCFU1766bs
— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) October 21, 2024
In Week 3 against his former Houston Texans squad, Greenard put on a show with three sacks and five pressures as he displayed the full toolbox with his strength, agility, power bull-rush, and pursuit as a progressive, elite disruptor. No doubt that there was extra motivation against his former team, but the eye test can pick up on his motor and violent nature when in pursuit of the football, no matter the opponent.
Highlights from Jonathan Greenard's big game (3 sacks, 5 pressures) against his former team.
Not sure why they kept trying to block him with a TE. pic.twitter.com/AkfN2RYqNz
— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) September 23, 2024
Greenard came into this season as somewhat of an unknown due to a lack of staying on the field consistently and only one season registering over 10.0 sacks. That lack of sample size and name recognition allowed the Vikings to buy low and they’re winning big, as his deal is looking like an insanely team-friendly contract that covers the prime of Greenard’s career.
Greenard’s effectiveness has been a tactical replacement for Hunter’s production and made him the poster child for Kwesi’s salary cap management strategy. Getting this kind of production for a fraction of Hunter’s salary has enabled the team to bring in other free agents who are also making massive impacts this season. While the offense has seen some regression from Sam Darnold as of late, the defense continues to be the backbone of the team, and arguably winning games single-handedly. And a big reason for that is that the Vikings’ faith in Greenard is paying off in spades.
Up Next