The Minnesota Vikings traded edge rusher Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles for two third-round picks, one this year and one next year, in a future-looking move on the second night of the NFL draft on Friday.
The Vikings sent the 2024 Pro Bowler and one of their three seventh-round picks this year, 244th overall, to the Eagles for the 98th overall selection this year and a third-rounder in 2027.
“We just felt like we had a really good D-line, but we wanted to elevate it to another level,” Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said.
The 28-year-old Greenard, who had been seeking a new contract and a trade if he didn't get one from the Vikings, subsequently agreed to a four-year, $100 million contract extension including $50 million in fully guaranteed money, his agent Drew Rosenhaus confirmed.
Greenard was scheduled to carry a salary cap hit of more than $22 million this season, creating space the Vikings can take advantage of in the future as they attempt to reset their roster following a 9-8 finish and the firing of general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.
“He’s a leader. He’s a captain. He’s an impact player. It’s something that we understand is not making the Minnesota Vikings a better team today, but there’s a lot of factors involved, particularly the economics," interim general manager and executive vice president of football operations Rob Brzezinski said. "We have just spent so much money the last several years that it’s not sustainable for us to move forward. Our salary cap situation has been very, very challenging.”
The Eagles had a need after letting edge rusher Jaelen Phillips leave in free agency. Greenard was expendable given the emergence last year of 2024 first-round draft pick Dallas Turner and the overall excellence when healthy of fellow outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel. Greenard was limited to 12 games in 2025 by a shoulder injury. He had three sacks, after tallying 12 sacks in his Vikings debut in 2024. Greenard signed in free agency after four seasons with the Houston Texans, who drafted him in the third round in 2020 out of Florida.
The trade gave the Vikings a fifth top-100 selection in the draft this year, plus four waiting in 2027. They took Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks in the first round (18th overall) and Cincinnati linebacker Jake Golday (51st overall) in the second round after moving down two spots in a trade with Carolina. They upgraded a sixth-rounder to a fifth-rounder in that swap with the Panthers.
The Vikings used the pick from the Eagles at No. 98 to take safety Jakobe Thomas from Miami.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
FILE - Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jonathan Greenard (58) rushes off the field during an NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Minnesota Vikings, Dec. 14, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)
HOUSTON (AP) — LeBron James scored 29 points, including a tying 3-pointer with 13 seconds left in regulation, Marcus Smart had eight points in overtime and the Los Angeles Lakers took advantage of a Houston Rockets team missing Kevin Durant for a 112-108 win Friday night to take a 3-0 lead in the Western Conference first-round series.
The Lakers rallied from a six-point deficit with under 30 seconds remaining and can sweep the series Sunday night in Houston.
“It’s tough to win on the road in the playoffs and even without KD they’re a great basketball team,” coach JJ Redick said. “And that was a huge test for us, especially in that moment when we’re down six.”
Los Angeles opened overtime with a 6-2 run, highlighted by a 3-pointer from Smart to take a 107-103 lead.
Smart made two free throws with 35.5 seconds to go to make it 111-105. Reed Sheppard made a 3-pointer to get Houston within three with less than 30 seconds left in overtime but Smart made 1 of 2 free throws to push the lead to 112-108.
The 41-year-old James played more than 45 minutes Friday night. He said with top scorers Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves out with injuries he has no choice but to do whatever he can.
“Everyone has to do a little bit more because of how much we’re missing,” James said. “It’s a challenge for all of us and just trying to figure it out together.”
Smart added 21 points and 10 assists, and Rui Hachimura added 22 points for the Lakers.
Even with Durant out for a second game in this series — this time with a sprained ankle after missing Game 1 with a knee injury — the Rockets were in position to close out the game after James had consecutive turnovers that Houston turned into a 101-95 lead.
Houston struggled at times to close out games in the fourth quarter and the problem continued Friday night.
“It’s obviously a weakness of ours to close out and finish,” coach Ime Udoka said. “The amount of mistakes or the type of mistakes are egregious and you can’t have those.”
Durant wasn't on the bench Friday night and Udoka said it was because he was receiving treatment on his injured ankle.
Alperen Sengun led the Rockets with 33 points and 16 rebounds. Amen Thompson added 26 points and 11 rebounds.
The Lakers led by 15 early, but were down six before Smart was fouled on a 3-point attempt with 25 seconds to go after a Houston turnover and made all three free throws.
“It was a smart play, and that’s part of my vet savvy, being in the league for 12 years,” Smart said. “I picked up some tricks from some guys, right. So, that helped us a lot.”
James then stole the ball from Sheppard and his 3-pointer tied it at 101-all with 13 seconds to go in the fourth.
Sengun missed a 7-footer and the Lakers had a chance to win, but James' 3-point attempt bounced off the rim to send it to OT.
James, who threw an alley-oop pass to his son Bronny for a basket in the first half, also had 13 rebounds.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
Houston Rockets forward Dorian Finney-Smith (2) knocks away the ball from Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart, center, as forward Jake LaRavia (12) looks on during the first half in Game 3 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Friday April 24, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson (1) loses a rebound in front of Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) during the first half in Game 3 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Friday April 24, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura, right, looks to shoot while under pressure from Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr., left, during the first half of Game 3 in a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Friday April 24, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson (1) looks to drive around Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart (36) who reaches in during the first half of Game 3 in a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Friday April 24, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) becomes entangled with Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) as he drives to the basket during the first half of Game 3 in a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Friday April 24, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) drives to the basket in front of Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun, left, during the first half of Game 3 in a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Friday April 24, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
