Jonathan Greenard has not produced for the Philadelphia Eagles despite a massive four-year, $98 million contract. In just five games this season, the veteran pass rusher has recorded only two tackles and one quarterback hit. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio delivered a stark explanation for these numbers on Tuesday. The coach argued that the lack of practice time, not talent, is the root cause of the struggle.
Fangio noted that Greenard missed all of training camp and the first two weeks of the regular season due to a pec injury. He started practicing later but was immediately placed on a pitch count before getting hurt again in a game. The coordinator made his stance clear when speaking to reporters about the situation. “You know, contrary to some people’s popular belief, practice is important. He has had next to none,” Fangio said on Tuesday, according to Heavy.com.
The Cost of Missing Reps
The Eagles invested nearly $100 million in Greenard after trading for him, expecting a high return on that investment. Instead, the 29-year-old has dealt with multiple injuries including an ankle issue that has limited his availability. He played only 19 snaps before getting hurt and did not play in the following game. This stop-and-start rhythm prevents any edge rusher from finding a consistent flow against the offensive line.
Fangio’s comments highlight a broader issue for a defense that has struggled to generate pressure. The team put significant resources into the defensive line, yet the unit has not pulled its weight. Former coach Doug Pederson echoed these concerns on NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football” regarding the team’s six-game losing streak. He pointed out that the offense cannot execute when players do not know who will be active on game day.
A Pessimistic Outlook for the Rest of the Year
The Eagles sit at 2-6 and have lost six straight games, including a 27-10 defeat to the Washington Commanders on Sunday. Pederson believes the immediate future does not look bright for a franchise trying to compete in a flipped NFC East. “The immediate future doesn’t look really bright. … [The Eagles] don’t know who’s gonna be active on game day, in my opinion,” Pederson told the NFL Network, according to Heavy.com.
Greenard needs to stay healthy and get reps to justify his salary, but the clock is running out on this season. The team faces the New York Giants next on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field. Until the roster stabilizes and players get consistent practice time, the Eagles will continue to fight an uphill battle in the standings.
