Vikings EDGE Jonathan Greenard shines against former team, continues to thrive in Brian Flores' defense
Brian Flores is coordinating one of the best defenses in the National Football League and it’s due to the Minnesota Vikings getting him the personnel to fit his scheme. He did a really good job last year maneuvering things with the roster the way it was. However, it was evident that players like D.J. Wonnum, […]
Brian Flores is coordinating one of the best defenses in the National Football League and it’s due to the Minnesota Vikings getting him the personnel to fit his scheme. He did a really good job last year maneuvering things with the roster the way it was. However, it was evident that players like D.J. Wonnum, Jordan Hicks and Danielle Hunter weren’t great fits. They needed some time to get that taken care of.
The 2024 offseason was the catalyst in making that happen for Flores. The biggest factor in that success has been with the rebuilt edge rusher group and it starts with their biggest free agent signing this offseason.
Jonathan Greenard has been incredible
When the news broke that the Vikings had agreed to terms with Greenard on a four-year, $76 million contract a half hour into free agency, it came as a bit of a surprise. The Vikings had Danielle Hunter as a free agent and Greenard wasn't on the radars of many players.
Within the next 24 hours, Hunter had agreed to terms with the Houston Texans and Greenard was primed to be the Vikings' top edge rusher after just a singular breakout season. After three games, the calculated bet that general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah placed on Greenard is working out really well.
After the game, Greenard spoke to reporters and raved about the scheme and how it impacts the game.
"Teams have to play honestly. Have to play with your time. You know, certain times you can dictate what you want to go to a certain guy or different matchups. Other times you say, hey, look, we're just going to take away your best option, but to make sure that you play on our side, not turns to speed things up, you're not going to sit back there and try to get it to certain guys or certain places you might like. But I love it, man. But it definitely unlocks a whole new, you know, IQ football within you, just so you understand the game even more people dictating everything that's love playing football. I love the system, and we just getting started."
He's right on many fronts. The scheme is so versatile in how they attack because of the buy-in and intelligence across the board.
The biggest elements that Greenard himself has brought to the table that Hunter didn't were having an elite get off on the snap and elite arm length at 35.5". Those have come into play in a major way so far this season.
Not only has Greenard played really well in a variety of positions, he has produced. Through three games, Pro Football Focus has credited Greenard with 17 pressures, which is tied for fourth in the NFL and is tied for a team-high (Pat Jones II) with 4.0 sacks. He's taken things to another level this season and has thrived with Flores as his defensive coordinator.
Sometimes, talent can overcome all because it's that good. However, when you have talent in the right situation, it takes things to a new level.
After destroying the Houston Texans, there’s no question that the 2024 Minnesota Vikings are for real
It’s time to get on the bandwagon
