On March 3rd, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted that Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard could be made available via trade, and while no deal has materialized, the idea of Greenard’s ticket out of town isn’t dead. In fact, the Greenard trade sweepstakes could involve two teams: the Philadelphia Eagles and the Indianapolis Colts.

Philadelphia and Indianapolis have emerged as the loudest outside suitors.

That’s the word from The Athletic‘s Alec Lewis this week, with the draft five weeks away.

A Look at the Current State of the Greenard Trade Sweepstakes

The Vikings might be best served to keep Greenard, but a sweet deal could change their minds.

Lewis on Greenard Trade Partners

The Greenard trade smoke has billowed for about two weeks. Lewis updated the situation this week, saying on his podcast, “I think over the course of the last week or last two weeks, it probably seemed more imminent than it was. I would say that the Minnesota Vikings have been very clear from the outset that they are doing this on their terms. So they are not going to trade a talented player that they’ve really liked having, Jonathan Greenard, unless it makes a lot of sense for them to do that.”

“I would say the Philadelphia Eagles definitely still need edge rusher talent. I mean, they have Jalyx Hunt, they signed Arnold Ebiketie, they have Nolan Smith Jr., but to have another elite edge rusher, it’s part of the reason they were in on Jaelan Phillips. And then I think the Indianapolis Colts are kind of in a similar vein.”

It’s worth noting that Greenard has been rather silent about the recent process, perhaps adding credence to the trade theory.

The Eagles’ Angle

Hunt, Smith Jr., and Ebiketie — mentioned by Lewis — do not represent a suitable EDGE group for a team that will outwardly profess a Super Bowl-or-bust or stakes in 2026. That trio is actually rather unbecoming for a serious Super Bowl contender.

And with men like Maxx Crosby and Trey Hendrickson off the board, the Eagles are down to nubbins for EDGE help. It’s either the draft, a trade for a player like Greenard, or both.

The Eagles have their 1st-Rounder, a 2nd-Rounder, and three 3rd-Rounders, so PHI general manager Howie Roseman may be thinking two pass rushers or more before the clock hits Round 4. If he swung a deal for Greenard, his life would be easier; EDGE wouldn’t be mandatory in the draft.

Perhaps Roseman can send the 54th overall pick (2nd Round) to Minnesota and call it good.

The Colts’ EDGE Need

While Greenard would be a valuable addition to the Colts, their need for an EDGE rusher isn’t as pressing as it is for some teams.

Indianapolis has been quietly assembling a capable group. Rookie Laiatu Latu already shows significant potential as a key player, and Arden Key provides experience as a reliable starter. JT Tuimoloau flashed promise as a rookie, earning a 60.6 Pro Football Focus grade in limited snaps. Michael Clemons, Durell Nchami, and Viliami Fehoko Jr. add further depth, even if the group lacks a true game-changing disruptor.

Greenard would immediately inject energy into this EDGE group and elevate its overall performance.

However, draft capital presents a challenge. After trading its 2026 and 2027 first-round picks to the Jets for Sauce Gardner, Indianapolis’ long-term asset pool has been affected, which must be taken into account.

Here’s what the Colts have to work with in 2026:

• 2nd Round (No. 47 overall)
• 3rd Round (No. 78 overall)
• 4th Round (No. 113 overall)
• 5th Round (No. 154 overall)
• 6th Round (No. 214 overall)
• 7th Round (No. 249 overall)
• 7th Round (No. 254 overall)

Acquiring Greenard would likely require parting with the 2nd-Round pick, a potential sticking point. Trading it would further commit the Colts to an aggressive roster-building strategy that has already cost them two future 1st-Round selections.

The Draft as a Climax?

Greenard’s trade fodder felt hot and heavy in early March and during the first wave of free agency. Now, the drama has died down a bit. The draft is just five weeks away, and there’s a decent chance that he gets shipped to his new team sometime during the event, when other general managers can weigh the draftboard options in real time versus the prospect of adding Greenard, a veteran with six seasons of experience.

It’s also worth noting that Minnesota would save an extra $6 million on the salary cap this season if it traded Greenard after June 1st. By then, teams will have their pass-rushing situation figured out, but it’s more advantageous to Minnesota’s books to trade Greenard this summer.

Or — the Vikings could just keep him. It’s not the worst idea in the world to keep the best defensive player on the roster … on the roster.

The league that brought us the Fail Mary is already making plans for Fail Mary 2. Anyone who cares about pro football should be alarmed.

The concerns should commence with the players. In lieu of having games officiated and controlled by the best of the best, the NFL is willing to rely on less than the best.

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For now, the NFL Players Association has no comment. At some point, the union must speak up — loudly.

Beyond the fact that the players have an immediate stake in the quality of the officiating is the reality of unions supporting other unions. The same league that is currently squeezing the officials has squeezed before, and will squeeze again, the players.

With the NFLPA currently standing silent on the subject, here’s what former NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith had to say: “Several years ago the Players stood with the officials when they were locked out an[d] was prepared to file a grievance that the NFL’s removal of the experienced and on-field first responders created an unreasonable health and safety risk. Still the right thing to do.”

Yes it is. And maybe there will be a time for it. With the NFLPA freshly installing a new executive director, and with months to go before a lockout of officials would start, the union likely believes it’s smarter to bide its time.

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That said, there’s an argument to be made for anyone/everyone with a stake in the game to shout down a plan to use replacement officials again. It would be a COLOSSAL mistake, and here’s hoping we won’t be alone in saying so.

His ability to thrive in so many different roles suggests a natural feel for the game – something former England international midfielder Owen Hargreaves, who was also frequently used as a right-back, picked up on in his analysis of Gray’s performance against Atletico.

“When he wants, he can play quickly,” he said on TNT Sports. “I think sometimes in these games, players take too many touches. Archie did everything very quickly, and I thought he was incredibly effective.”

Like Hargreaves, Gray could potentially play for a number of nations at international level.

Despite his grandad Frank and great-uncle Eddie representing Scotland, Gray has opted for England, although he has yet to make a senior appearance for the Three Lions. A final decision on his international allegiance will have to be made soon if he continues this form, with a call-up likely on the cards.

For now, though, the focus cannot shift from Spurs and the focus that will be needed to pull clear of relegation trouble. Gray, perhaps more than anyone in the Tottenham squad, looks ready to face that fight head-on.

Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia is set to be available for his side’s upcoming La Liga match against Rayo Vallecano after injuring himself in the recent 7-2 win over Newcastle United.

Earlier this Wednesday (March 18), Barcelona progressed to the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals after beating Newcastle in the second leg of the round of 16. They netted four goals in the second half of their 7-2 victory, but also lost Garcia to a calf injury in the 82nd minute.

Now, the Blaugrana have confirmed that their €25 million summer signing will be fit to face Vallecano at Camp Nou on Sunday (March 22). An official statement read:

“Medical tests performed this Thursday on Joan Garcia have dismissed any possibility of injury. The goalkeeper will therefore be available for selection as normal by Hansi Flick for the next game.”

Garcia, who was replaced by Wojciech Szczesny in the recent win over Newcastle, has proved to be a brilliant signing for the Catalans this term. The 24-year-old has registered 14 clean sheets in 35 appearances across all competitions for his team, conceding 35 goals in the process.

The Espanyol academy graduate will be hoping to end the season on a good note as he is in contention to be named in Spain’s 2026 FIFA World Cup squad.

Barcelona backed to succeed in Europe

Arsenal great Thierry Henry has lavished huge praise on his former club Barcelona following their resounding win over Newcastle United. The 48-year-old claimed (h/t Barca Universal):

“What happened isn’t a victory, it’s a global earthquake. (It was) a night that will go down in history. What a second half! A complete transformation, a different character, a lethal determination. This is the real Barcelona… when they want to, they can do anything. They’re an incredible team.”

Henry, who played for the Catalans from 2007 to 2010, added:

“You watch them play and think, ‘Wow, they look so convincing!’ Then you see them at home and it’s like… we’ve got Johan Cruyff’s dream team back! Newcastle completely collapsed in the face of this attacking onslaught. This is the face of Barcelona under Hansi Flick. We will overtake them on goal difference, come what may. Europe is beginning to feel the danger.”

Hansi Flick’s team will face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals next month. After taking on Vallecano, they will first visit Atletico for a La Liga clash on April 4 before hosting Los Rojiblancos in the quarter-final first leg on April 8.