Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker [autotag]Jonathan Greenard[/autotag], a former Florida Gator, earned his first NFL Pro Bowl nod on Thursday.
Greenard and his Vikings teammate, Andrew Van Ginkel, are the two starters for the NFC this year after leading Minnesota to a 14-2 record heading into Week 18. The former Gator has put together a career year, totaling 54 tackles (37 solo), 11 sacks, four forced fumbles and three pass breakups with one more regular season game to play.
The Vikings have clinched a playoff spot, but are still looking to clinch the division. A matchup in Detroit with the Lions on Sunday will decide the NFC North and which team earns the No. 1 seed.
Greenard’s Florida, NFL career
After four seasons with Louisville, Greenard transferred to Florida for his graduate season. He led the SEC in 2019 with 9.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss. He was a First Team All-SEC selection by the coaches and Associated Press and earned the sixth-highest defensive grade among edge defenders from PFF in 2019.
The Houston Texans drafted Greenard with the 90th overall pick in the third round of the 2020 NFL draft. He played in 13 games as a rookie and started 12 games in 2021. After spending most of 2022 on injured reserve, Greenard made the most of his contract year, recording career highs in tackles (52) and sacks (12.5).
He signed a four-year, $76 million contract with the Minnesota Vikings over the offseason.
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