Jonathan Greenard had himself quite a November.
The Vikings outside linebacker has been named the NFC Defensive Player of the Month, the league announced Thursday.
Greenard led the conference with eight tackles for loss, tying with former Viking Danielle Hunter for most in the NFL. He also logged 4.0 sacks, which tied for the third most in the NFC during the month; 16 tackles; one forced fumble and one pass defensed.
Greenard helped anchor a Minnesota defense throughout November that allowed the fewest rushing yards per game (58.8) and yards per rush (3.0) in the NFL, as well as the third-fewest yards per game (265.5) in the league. The unit also tied for the second-most sacks (14) among all NFC teams and tied for the third-most interceptions (four) and takeaways (seven) in the conference.
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The best pass-rushing duos this season 💥 pic.twitter.com/EO0jnMBUmk
— PFF (@PFF) December 4, 2024
During Minnesota’s overtime victory at Chicago in Week 12, Greenard sacked rookie QB Caleb Williams twice. He additionally recorded six tackles, including four for loss, two quarterback hits and a forced fumble. That outing marked the first time a Viking had four tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks and a forced fumble in a single game since Jared Allen accomplished the feat in 2009.
Since the Vikings signed Greenard as a free agent this spring, Head Coach Kevin O’Connell has spoken highly of the defender multiple times – both off the field (“so consistently himself and authentic”) and on, earlier this week calling him “one of our best players.”
“He might be off to the side working his hand usage, or maybe he’s complementing one of his rush moves with working on a new tool there,” O’Connell said Wednesday. “I think the underrated part is just the all-down aspect of the physicality, setting edges, playing blocks, and then making some plays at or behind the line of scrimmage that set up his chances to then rush the passer.
“As I like to call him, he’s The Closer,” O’Connell added. “How many times this year has he affected the quarterback, drawn a penalty, sacked the quarterback – strip-sacked last week in these critical moments where you need your best players to go make those plays, and he’s done it time and time again.”
Through 12 games this season, Greenard has 41 tackles, 10 sacks, 14 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and two passes defensed. According to analytics site Pro Football Focus, his 648 snaps played are the fifth most among defenders, and he leads the league in total pressures (60).
This isn’t the first time Greenard has been recognized by the NFL. In Week 3, he was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against the Texans, his former team.
Minnesota Vikings
He is the 12th different Viking to win NFC Defensive Player of the Month honors and third under O’Connell.
1986, September: Doug Martin, DE
1989, October: Keith Millard, DT
1992, December: Chris Doleman, DE
1993, December/January: Chris Doleman, DE
1994, September: Jack Del Rio, LB
1994, October: Anthony Parker, CB
1994, December: John Randle, DT
1996, October: John Randle, DT
1997, October: John Randle, DT
1999, December: John Randle, DT
2005, November: Darren Sharper, S
2011, October: Jared Allen, DE
2014, October: Everson Griffen, DE
2017, October: Everson Griffen, DE
2022, October: Za’Darius Smith, OLB
2023, October: Danielle Hunter, OLB
2024, November: Jonathan Greenard, OLB