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Vikings’ Jonathan Greenard Trade Gets Fresh Criticism

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Amon-Ra St. Brown catches a pass as Jonathan Greenard closes in during Lions-Vikings action at Ford Field.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) secures a reception as Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jonathan Greenard (58) closes in during second-half action. Nov. 2, 2025, at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, St. Brown fought for extra yardage in a tightly contested NFC North matchup. Mandatory Credit: Junfu Han-USA TODAY NETWORK-Imagn Images.

With the NFL’s offseason in the books, NFL media is opining on the best and worst transactions from February through May. And for the Minnesota Vikings, ESPN has decided that trading Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles was the club’s worst decision of the offseason.

Few loved the move to offload Greenard, so Seth Walder’s opinion merely served as a confirmation this week.

Dallas Turner Suddenly Has a Bigger Job

Jonathan Greenard celebrates a Vikings sack against the Texans. Jonathan Greenard trade
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jonathan Greenard (58) celebrates after a fourth-quarter sack against the Houston Texans at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Sep. 22, 2024, reacting to a key defensive play that energized teammates and the home crowd during another forceful late-game showing by Minnesota’s pass rush under Brian Flores’ direction that afternoon. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.

Walder: Trading Greenard Was MIN’s Worst Offseason Move

Walder explained his disdain: “Move I disliked: Trading Edge Jonathan Greenard for two third-round picks. During the draft, the Vikings dealt Greenard, one of their best players, to the Eagles in exchange for two third-round picks.”

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“I don’t think it was worth it, especially in the current trade environment for high-end players. Despite only three sacks in 12 games last season, Greenard’s 23.2% pass rush win rate at edge would have ranked fourth at the position had he qualified.”

It’s worth noting that he championed the Kyler Murray signing: “The best thing about the Vikings’ offseason is them signing Murray to a veterans minimum deal, which was possible due to his offsets from his contract with the Cardinals. It was a boon for Minnesota.”

“Murray’s services would be worth many millions more on the free market, and he provides an answer at quarterback in the wake of J.J. McCarthy’s rough 2025 season.”

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Not Enough Dough — Apparently

Minnesota spent its 2026 offseason resetting the salary cap, refusing to entertain big-name free agents — aside from Kyler Murray, who became available for cheap — and instead focusing on bargain-bin performers like James Pierre (CB) and Ryan Van Demark (OT). The club also added wide receiver Jauan Jennings on a base salary of $8 million.

What it didn’t have was $100 million over four years for Greenard. That had to be close to his asking price for the Vikings; they could not afford it. The Eagles obliged.

Twenty-five million bucks for a pass rusher like Greenard is fair market value. It probably hurts his cause that he only logged 3 sacks in 2025. Three sacks and $25 million don’t jibe.

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A Full Pivot to Dallas Turner

The Greenard trade changed Turner’s career with the snap of two fingers.

Prior to the trade, Turner faced a crowded path. Vikings fans have eagerly anticipated his breakout season, a reasonable expectation given his hefty 2024 price tag via trade. However, Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel remained ahead of him on the depth chart. While a “good problem” for Minnesota, it complicated efforts to fully define Turner’s role.

Dallas Turner works through Vikings training camp drills in Eagan. Jonathan Greenard trade
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Dallas Turner (15) participates in training camp drills at the Minnesota Vikings Training Facility in Eagan, Minnesota, on Jul. 29, 2025, working through an offseason session as the young edge rusher continued building pass-rush technique and comfort inside Brian Flores’ defense before a larger role arrived for Minnesota. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.

Now, it’s different. Turner no longer needs to contend for limited snaps behind two established outside linebackers. The Vikings can provide him with a substantial workload, allowing his athleticism to shine and determining if his flashes of potential last season were the harbinger of something much greater.

That is the inherent upside of losing Greenard. Despite being a tough trade, it clarifies the depth chart.

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Of course, Minnesota still has work to do. While Turner and Van Ginkel can lead the group, the Vikings likely need one more reliable outside linebacker. That could mean acquiring a veteran like Jadeveon Clowney or Leonard Floyd — someone with experience who can set the EDGE and provide enough pass-rush prowess to maintain a robust defense.

So, while the Greenard trade stings on paper, for Turner, it might be what the doctor ordered.

Replace Greenard with a FA EDGE?

The Vikings can ease the pain of the Greenard trade if Turner thrives. They can also sign a veteran EDGE who offers some semblance of his production. The aforementioned Clowney and Floyd might make the most sense, but the list doesn’t end there.

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These free-agent outside linebackers are eagerly awaiting 2026 employment:

  • Derek Barnett
  • Marcus Davenport
  • Jerry Hughes
  • Yannick Ngakoue
  • Emmanuel Ogbah
  • Josh Paschal
  • Haason Reddick
  • Preston Smith
  • Kyle Van Noy
  • Von Miller

All those players will be gettable for $10 million or less, and Minnesota has $13 million in the bank right to use on summer free agents.

Jonathan Greenard celebrates a sack for the Vikings against the Falcons. Jonathan Greenard trade
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jonathan Greenard (58) celebrates a second-half sack against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Sep. 14, 2025, bringing energy to the Vikings’ defense as Minnesota’s pass rush produced pressure during a home matchup shaped by front-seven disruption and timely defensive execution that night. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.

Losing Greenard isn’t ideal, especially for a team aspiring to win a Super Bowl, but Turner and an EDGE to be named later can make it less painful. Fans can also take solace in knowing that Flores probably knows what he’s doing. The Vikings’ defensive boss has not showcased a poor defense yet in Minnesota; that probably won’t start in 2026.


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Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker

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Wimbledon 2026 results: Mirra Andreeva left in tears after defeat by Barbora Krejcikova, Naomi Osaka stops spectators with latest outfit

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French Open champion Mirra Andreeva broke down in tears in a news conference after she was knocked out of Wimbledon by Barbora Krejcikova.

Russian 19-year-old Andreeva had hurled her racquet in frustration and shouted “I quit” towards her team before making a hasty exit off court following a 4-6 7-5 6-4 defeat in a gruelling second-round match lasting almost three hours.

Asked how long it would take to recover from the loss, she said: “It’s going to take some time, maybe a couple of days, and then I’m going to be back to practise for hard courts.”

Krejcikova dedicated her thrilling win to her tennis-loving niece, who was at home with chickenpox.

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Krejcikova, who won the women’s singles title at Wimbledon in 2024, missed six match points at 5-3 up in the deciding set, but regained her composure to see out victory a game later.

“I believe my little niece was watching, and my nephew. She is also playing tennis and she loves it,” Krejcikova said.

“She’s actually sick – I think she has chickenpox. My nephew got it from kindergarten, so I hope my brother let her and my nephew watch this match.

“I hope she is going to be proud of me and hopefully I can give her some motivation for tennis and also for life.”

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Krejcikova and Andreeva looked confused at one point when loud cheers rang around Centre Court when England beat DR Congo to reach the last 16 of the football World Cup.

Krejcikova has been plagued with injuries and dropped down the rankings since her triumph at the All England Club two years ago, while she suffered first-round exits at the Australian Open and Roland Garros this season.

“It’s definitely special. I have been through a lot with injuries and also in my personal life in the last couple months,” the world number 38 said.

“It was really hard to get through with the all the emotions of what has happened.”

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2026 NHL free agent tracker: Maple Leafs ink two-time Cup champ Sergei Bobrovsky to $21 million contract

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Where will the NHL’s top free agents land in free agency?

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Team USA advances to Round of 16 after beating Bosnia and Herzegovina

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NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

The United States men’s national soccer team is heading to the Round of 16, defeating Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2-0, on Wednesday night in Santa Clara, California. 

It’s just the second time in Team USA history that they won in the knockout stages. Their only other came in 2002 when they beat Mexico, 2-0, in the Round of 16.

Now, the USMNT will head back to Seattle to face Belgium, who came back from a 2-0 deficit against Senegal in the second half to win in extra time, in the Round of 16. 

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Folarin Balogun celebrates goal

United States’ Folarin Balogun celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the World Cup Round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026.  (AP Photo/Eakin Howard)

Usually, when the USMNT enters the knockout stage in the World Cup, they’re considered the underdogs, hoping to be scrappy to force an upset. This time around, in an expanded tournament format that begins with a Round of 32, the country on home soil was the overwhelming favorites. 

Their play proved why, even in the face of adversity in the second half. 

It was an inauspicious start for the USMNT after Bosnia and Herzegovina secured a couple corner kicks, and goalkeeper Matt Freese, who hasn’t really been challenged much in this World Cup, had to scramble to save one that was destined for the back of the net if he didn’t punch it away. 

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USA WORLD CUP STAR FOLARIN BALOGUN RECEIVES CONTROVERSIAL RED CARD DURING ROUND OF 32 MATCH

From there, though, the USMNT got to work in the first half, and controlled the match. It seemed like it was only a matter of time before they scored, and Falorin Balogun, who has had a tremendous tournament in terms of goal scoring, did he striker job when he received a pass on a turnover and put it in the back of the net in the 29th minute. 

However, the sideline referee threw his flag in the air – offsides. Video replay showed Balogun was clearly off, and there wasn’t much debate from head coach Mauricio Pochettino and his sideline staff either in this case. 

Falorin Balogun scores goal

Folarin Balogun of the United States scores his team’s first goal past Nikola Vasilj #1 of Bosnia and Herzegovina during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Balogun got another chance in stoppage time, and in this instance, he was onside and still lethal. 

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With Bosnia and Herzegovina defenders draped all over him, Balogun turned and swung his left foot into the ball just inside his opponent’s box and it slipped through the goalkeeper’s legs for the first goal of the match. 

The U.S.-heavy crowd went into a frenzy, and Balogun celebrated with an ode to LeBron James, doing his signature stepping move as his teammates congratulated him on his third goal at the World Cup. 

But the second half saw a massive moment occur in favor of Bosnia and Herzegovina when Balogun was called for a red card after VAR review determined so following a foul where he stepped on a defender’s ankle. It was a controversial call that changed the complexity of the game with the USMNT down to 10 men to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s 11. 

Also, despite the hard-fought win, Balogun will have to miss the Round of 16 due to the decision, which is an obvious loss for the U.S. 

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Malik Tillman celebrates goal

United States’ Malik Tillman celebrates after scoring on a free kick during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

The red card came in the 64th minute, and the USMNT had to “suffer,” as FOX Sports color commentator Stu Holden said during the broadcast, to pull out a victory with a one-goal lead. While they had to defend with more tenacity, the USMNT still created chances to score despite their situation. 

One was called back when Christian Pulisic found the back of the net, but was offsides. But Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Stjepan Radelijic held back Sergiño Dest just outside the box, forcing the referee to pull out a yellow card and give the USMNT a grade-A opportunity to pull away a bit in the 80th minute. 

Enter Malik Tillman, the German-born son of a U.S. military veteran, who had the perfect free kick, dipping over the five-man wall in front of the net and going past the outstretched arms of goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj. 

Folarin Balogun and Christian Pulisic

United States’ Folarin Balogun (20) and United States’ Christian Pulisic (10) stand by after Balogun received a red card during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026.  (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

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The goal put the U.S. up 2-0, and the momentum Bosnia and Herzegovina had following Balogun’s red card decision, was wiped out. They had desperation attempts to get back into the match, but the U.S. slammed the door shut to the satisfaction of the sold-out crowd at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium and the millions watching at home. 

There will be tons of debate about how the U.S. deals with the loss of Balogun in the next round, but the job got done in this match where the home-country favorites kept their title hopes alive.  

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

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Pirates’ Paul Skenes allows season-high 7 earned runs to Phillies

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PHILADELPHIA — Struggling Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes isn’t pretending to know the answers to his sudden slipups on the mound, from where he’s dominated for two seasons.

At least he wasn’t offering any on Wednesday night after his worst outing of the year. Skenes (6-8) lasted only four innings against the Philadelphia Phillies and allowed a season-high seven earned runs in a 10-6 loss.

Since beating Colorado 3-1 on May 12 to improve to 6-2 with a 1.98 ERA, the defending NL Cy Young Award winner has not won over his last nine starts, his record falling to 6-8 and his ERA climbing to 3.62. His puzzlement is growing, too.

“I didn’t execute very well,” Skenes said. “That’s really what it comes down to. I fell behind on some counts and left some balls over the plate.”

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He also took his time doing it. Skenes threw 35 pitches during a five-run Phillies second inning, highlighted by Trea Turner’s three-run homer.

“I think we’ve got a good team,” Turner said. “I think sometimes there’s no explanation, but I feel like we’ve got a good lineup and we battle. We know he’s really good, and he’s always going to give us a fight, and you kind of tip your cap when he gets you and move on, and try to have the next guy pick you up. I thought we did a good job keeping it moving against him.”

In an anticipated duel of aces and a rematch between Skenes and Philadelphia’s Zack Wheeler, played on a humid night with temperatures in the 90s, neither pitcher worked to his standard.

Skenes’ first loss in this slide came at PNC Park on May 17 at the hands of Wheeler and the Phillies, 6-0. In that game, he didn’t allow a run until the fifth inning.

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On Wednesday night, the Phillies didn’t wait that long.

Pirates third baseman Nick Gonzales fielded Justin Crawford’s bases loaded grounder in the second inning and seemingly had a routine force play at the plate, but he fired the ball off runner Alec Bohm’s hand and allowed two runs to score.

Said Pirates manager Don Kelly: “The baserunner did a good job getting in the way.”

Next batter Turner hit a pitch from Skenes into the seats for his third homer in as many games to make it 5-0.

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Skenes gave up a home run to Brandon Marsh in the third. And before he bowed out, he watched Bryce Harper’s liner get misjudged by Pirates left fielder Tyler Callihan for a two-run double.

It seemed Skenes’ luck was off just as much as his command.

“They’re a good lineup, but I haven’t made it easy on myself,” Skenes said. “I just have to execute a few pitches a little better, and I think it’s probably a different story.

“I don’t know … it happens. We’ll figure out what it is and we’ll just keep attacking it.”

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This crucial sequencing move will improve your ball striking

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If you want to hit the ball like the pros do, you need to move your body like the pros do. When I say that, I’m not suggesting you need to rotate your hips like Rory McIlroy or shuffle your feet like Scottie Scheffler. Rather, what you need to strive for is to sequence your body the same way they do.

Here’s how it works.

Sequencing is a popular buzzword in golf instruction, but all it means is the order in which each body part moves. Sequence your swing correctly and you’ll create crisp contact and effortless power. Do it incorrectly and you’ll introduce a variety of flaws and inconsistencies.

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So, how does the way pros move their body differ from how amateurs do? It all starts with how they shift and turn. When you watch a pro swing the club, take note of the order in which they do so. During the backswing, they shift their weight back and then turn their body to the top. On the downswing, they do the same sequence. Shift forward, then turn. This “shift then turn” sequence is the secret sauce that produces power, controls low point and breeds consistency.

Recreational players tend to get in trouble — particularly during the downswing — when they reverse this order. At the top, their first move to initiate the downswing is a turn. But when you turn before you shift, it throws the clubhead outside the hands and creates an over-the-top swing, often resulting in a weak slice. If your first move is a shift instead, you’ll create more space for your hands and naturally shallow the club on the downswing.

If you struggle to create power and tend to lose the ball to the right, take a look at how you are sequencing your body to start the downswing. There’s a good chance the reason you’re struggling is incorrect sequencing. To correct it, remember to feel a shift and then a turn. You’ll be amazed at how much easier hitting the ball becomes.

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3 things I’m thinking

1. Winning is hard: The top five in SG: Total on Tour this season (Scottie Scheffler, Matt Fitzpatrick, Tommy Fleetwood, Ludvig Aberg and Collin Morikawa) have just four combined wins this season. Consistency is king in golf, but sometimes even that isn’t enough to rack up trophies.

2. Nelly’s biggest challenger: Nelly Korda has dominated the headlines in women’s golf this season, but Haeran Ryu is also putting together one heck of a 2026 campaign. In 11 starts thus far in 2026, she has nine top 15s, seven top 10s and a win at the KPMG Women’s PGA. Don’t overlook the south Korean with two more majors still to play.

3. Summer heater: Wyndham Clark is the hottest player in the world at the moment. Over the last month, he’s won twice (including at the U.S. Open), finished top 5 two other times and added a T11 in Canada. He picked a great time to showcase his best stuff.

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Oilers finally have premier goalie in McDavid era with Andersen

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Call the kids, Martha. They’ve gotta see this too.

On the day that Connor McDavid began what could be his final contract as an Edmonton Oiler, general manager Stan Bowman finally found the pedigree of a goalie that McDavid has never had as a teammate.

Frederik Andersen, fresh off a Stanley Cup run with the Carolina Hurricanes in which he started 16 of the Hurricanes’ 19 games, signed a bonus-laden one-year deal to try to get the Oilers that elusive Stanley Cup they seek, with the end of the McDavid window possibly drawing near.