You want a perfect encapsulation of who edge rusher Jonathan Greenard is as a player? Just go back and watch the way he worked himself to the point of exhaustion on Sunday afternoon at U.S. Bank Stadium.
After recording a strip sack at a crucial moment in the final minute of the game, Greenard completely emptied the tank on the next play to track down quarterback Kyler Murray in the open field.
As he huffed and puffed on the sidelines in the immediate aftermath, Greenard wasn’t sure he was going to be able to go back in. He was playing through a head cold at the time, and as a result, was struggling to catch his breath.
So head coach Kevin O’Connell called his final timeout with the Vikings clinging to a 23-22 lead over the Cardinals, hoping that would give Greenard enough time to recover. Not long after that, Greenard grabbed his helmet, returned to the huddle, and made his presence felt once more, leading to a rushed throw from Murray that ended up being intercepted.
“It’s very rare for me to call a timeout and go stand by somebody when they’re getting water and trying to catch their breath, asking, ‘You ready to go? You ready to go? You ready to go?’ ” O’Connell said Thursday. “There was doubt he was going back on the field and going to have a really impactful snap.”
It was a similar story a couple of weeks ago at Solider Field, where Greenard battled through a double team (and perhaps an uncalled holding penalty) with the Vikings suddenly in overtime against the Bears. The tenacity from Greenard resulted in him sacking rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, which helped the defense force a punt to give possession back to the offense.
“He’s the closer,” O’Connell said. “He’s done it time and time again.”
Not that many people seem to have noticed.
Though he’s the lifeblood of everything the Vikings do on defense, Greenard has continued to fly under the radar, proving that he’s among the most underrated players in the NFL despite his production on a weekly basis.
Asked about Greenard earlier this week, defensive coordinator Brian Flores used it as a chance to do some campaigning.
“He’s playing lights out,” Flores said. “Just snap to snap, he’s playing some high level football. I don’t know where we’re at with postseason accolades. He should be in the conversation for a number of those.”
Maybe somebody heard Flores talking because on Thursday morning, Greenard was named NFC Defensive Player of the Month for November. It was very much deserved considering Greenard recorded 16 tackles and four sacks while helping lead the Vikings to wins over the Colts, Jaguars, Titans and Bears.
“All I care about is getting the job done and winning,” Greenard said. “The accolades and everything else come with that.”
The stats speak for themselves this season as Greenard has recorded 41 tackles, 10 sacks and three forced fumbles across 12 games. He also leads the NFL with 60 pressures having played 648 snaps.
“He has played a ton,” O’Connell said. “We’re trying to be aware of how much he has played and see if we can give him some spurts here and there where we can keep his play count where we want it.”
That’s easier said than done. Whenever the Vikings are on defense, they want him on the field. If they ever decide to take him off, however, it helps that he continues to bring the best out of everybody else.
“He’s so consistently himself,” O’Connell said. “That is such a huge driving reason behind why he was such a marquee guy for us to bring in here.”
It’s safe to say the Vikings are glad they signed Greenard in free agency. His impact was on full display when the Vikings needed him most against the Cardinals. Even when he thought he might not be able to go, Greenard mustered up the energy to give a little bit more.
“He grabbed his helmet and jumped back in,” Flores said. “That’s the type of player he is, and we’re lucky to have him.”
Jonathan Greenard #58 of the Minnesota Vikings sacks Will Levis #8 of the Tennessee Titans in the second half of a game at Nissan Stadium on Nov. 17, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) runs from Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jonathan Greenard (58) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Related Articles
Vikings fullback C.J. Ham is nominee for Walter Payton Man of the Year Award
Now with the Falcons, former Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins has to pick himself up off the mat once again
The toughest critic for Vikings running back Aaron Jones? His mom Vurgess.
The Loop Fantasy Football Report Week 14: Say bye to end of fantasy regular season
Vikings receiver Jordan Addison pleads not guilty to DUI charges
Leave a Reply