Vikings Jonathan Greenard on Best Defensive Front, JJ McCarthy vs Blitzes, & Dallas Turner!

Vikings Jonathan Greenard on Best Defensive Front, JJ McCarthy vs Blitzes, & Dallas Turner!

Jonathan Gernard, please don’t break my chair. I can’t do that. No. Uhuh. Can’t do that. I a pay for nothing. I can’t do that because then everyone’s going to yell at me. I’m going to get in trouble. I don’t want, you know, to sue me. I’m just going to get a bill in. I’m just not trying to do that. Just don’t forward it to me. It is great to see you smiling after training camp after backto-back uh 12 sack seasons, being voted a top 50 player by your peers. Let’s go. How does that feel? It feels great. I mean, just trying to build off of last I mean, obviously it is what it is what we did there. But I’m always just trying to build up to the next thing. Um, and like you see, I’m smiling. I mean, I just made it through another training camp healthy. So, I mean, at this point, man, I like I asked for and be blessed that I’m even standing here healthy as ever. No bumps and bruises. So, I’m excited. Aaron Jones said, I said, “Why should we have faith in this team being extra special, more, which hard to do, right?% you’re a crazy great team last year. Just fell just short. What’s the reason?” He goes, “Where it matters, offensive line.” But he didn’t. He talked about the Dline first and he said y’all are giving him trouble. What is that? I think ultimately like that’s that’s our job. We kind of take that, you know, uh that chip on our shoulder as a Dline, outside backers in general as a whole. Um I said it before that I was talking to somebody yesterday that we don’t want the ball to get to the linebackers or to the safeties. So we try to pride ourselves on making every single play at the line of scrimmage, whether we’re getting a sack, TFL, or just stopping run in general for a minimal gain. Uh that’s our that’s our mindset every time we step out on the field. So um we don’t just go out there just to just to be out there. We’re trying to ball and uh dominate every time we step out there. Jonathan, what is the best compliment you can give a Jonathan Gard? Uh that everybody like me um more so and it’s kind of it’s kind of weird knowing me cuz I really don’t care. You destroy quarterbacks for you’re literally like the last thing quarterbacks see when they fall asleep where they stay up thinking about you because they can’t sleep because they’re you just want to be liked. Which quarterback likes you the most? Uh, I would say uh ours number nine, JJ McCarthy. Yeah. Uh, anytime honestly I personally don’t care. Even though I said it’s it’s kind of redundant, but uh I definitely like that. I mean, for for anybody to be able to pull me to the side and I can be that brother, you know, to talk to, um, a shoulder to cry on, shoulder to lean on, somebody to talk to. Um, that’s what matters most to me, to the people that that matter to me. Um, is that I hope I’m liked and I hope I’m loved the same way that I kind of look at those guys. But um but yeah, I hope our quarterbacks love me, but definitely going to be getting real acquainted with a lot of them soon. You mentioned JJ McCarthy. I know a lot of things about him, but I’m not out there. The coach isn’t showing anything in the preseason as we know. Take me into your first impression of him on the field. Not last year. I’m talking, let’s just say the first impression when you guys finally get on the field together. No, I think just how he is in person just every day in the locker room. Um not what I asked you. No, no, no, no. Literally, listen, I’m And it’s it’s a buildup to it. Um, I’m just super excited just because of the guy that like he is throughout every single thing. I seen him l literally starting last year from dealing with the injuries and everything. I’ve seen guys go into the dumps and everything and kind of just get down on themselves. I didn’t see that. I seen him kind of put his head down more and just use it as a catalyst for him to just keep working. And now obviously we getting to this point. We done been through OTAAS, now we getting through camp and he’s made some crazy throws and like I you mentioned earlier Dline, we’ve been getting after him. So it’s he’s been getting real live reps and to still see him stand in the pocket and make certain throws and stuff like that or evade the pocket and does what he does. Um, it’s exciting. I mean, I just love to see him just continuously just keep going back. Even if we get a sack, he’s going right back like, I don’t care. We’re gonna do it again. So, just that resilient mindset kind of just shows and it’s kind of infectious to all of us. And I think that’s kind of where it’s like it’s hard not to root for him. It’s hard not to cheer for him because you see him go through these things and still keep this mindset. Um, sky’s the limit for him. That’s why I’m just excited to see what he does come first game cuz it’s going to be a show for sure. I think he’s he has such a saying that now. Yeah. He’s hyper competitive. I’ve been, you know, I didn’t watch him in college. I’ll admit that, but I’ve met him. I’ve interviewed him and I got it right away. I was like, “Oh my gosh, people don’t believe in him. People aren’t rooting for him.” What would you say to those people? He does not care. I think that’s the thing about it. Like, he takes all these things on as a chip on his shoulder. Um, it could be good and bad, but I’ve seen him literally like turn it into fuel and use it as a catalyst, like I mentioned before, instead of it being like, “Oh, I’m here to prove these guys wrong.” It’s just like, I’m just here to do my job and do what I’ve been doing this entire time. And I think that’s where I’m starting to see that shift now as opposed to, you know, a younger guy or a different guy who just want to be a headc case about certain things. I mean, he’s just kind of been even killed the entire time every single time I’ve seen him. For sure. What about his cerebral aptitude? Seems like he’s got a high IQ. A guy you don’t want to give him too much credit, you know, cuz you kind of make him feel like he know everything. Tell me. But for a guy like him though, he definitely has a very very high IQ for the game. just like how certain certain stuff we give certain looks. Nobody’s seen these looks before, but the fact that he’s picking it up on the fly, making a check and certain things like that. Um, I’m excited, man. I It’s hard for me to keep trying to put stuff out there to kind of give the fans a little bit of like No, because you guys are trying to keep this man a secret. I wouldn’t say a secret. And it’s not a great kept secret in my opinion. I I’ll ask you this. This defense is no joke. Talk to me. Be is no joke. I want you to take me to the very first time that he dials up a blitz. Paint it for me. take me in onto that line, you versus JJ McCarthy, that new O line. What was that like? Yeah, that was I was more so excited like how are they going to stop this? That was my whole mindset like because I know we’re capable of and I know what the play is going to do. Yeah. Um and I’ve seen it happen in games like what we do against other teams. I’m just like okay, how is he going to respond to this? Um and perfect example, obviously I know it’s not the first one, but even today I mean he just caught one today and literally I’m like what is he going to do? And somehow he still make the play and I’m just like okay. What was the play? Uh it was same play you’re you’re mentioning. I blissed. I just blissed him. And somehow he still managed to make a play. I’m just sitting there. I had to tip my hat to him. I mean, because most times obviously we’re Dline, we think everything is a sack. But uh on that that play, he he definitely got around there and I was like, “Okay, you might have got a little speed on you now.” So uh I definitely need to get on my conditioning and my uh sprints. But uh he’s going to be a dog. No, he’s a dog. Now you’re coming off a Pro Bowl season. Congratulations to you on that. Listen, you’re so dominant against the run, against the pass, both, but you’ve been really vocal about wanting to get better, right? wanting to learn, build build your game is what you call it, right? So, this is this I’ve heard out of from you really since last season ended, not the way that you wanted to. What is one way that you’ve really focused one specific thing that you’ve grown in since the start of camp? Um, or honed in on to build that game. Yeah, I think for sure just making sure that like if I make a play on the first time, why not do it every play? Okay. I think that, you know, obviously staying within the scheme and not just trying to make plays while jumping out of your gap and doing XYZ, but um how can you consistently affect the game? How can you consistently dominate the person in front of you or make the play, you know, like cuz they can find anybody just do your job? Um how do you do it? But the simple fact of you can do your job but then go make the play. So if I’m sitting out there sitting edge or something like that, I could easily get off the block and still gonna make a play. Who knows that running back might still be up. I might go in and get a punch the ball out when he’s not looking. So just trying to just be more consistently effective every play um is kind of something that makes great the great ones. I think also what makes you uh one of the great ones is something that Brian Flores has said about you which says that you’re unselfish and I think that’s hard to do. I think it’s amazing and you’re a complete edge player. Look at these numbers. You and Miles Garrett the only the only two players in N in the NFL last year with 50 plus pressures, 10 plus sacks, 25 plus run stops and 10 plus run steps. That is the mark of what? Love. Uh, a complete ex. Yeah, I was about to say that’s that’s that’s kind of what they they give you the big bucks for. But you don’t chase the play. Nah, you you don’t chase it. It’s going to come to you. And I think that’s where I think it’s if that’s what you’re alluding to. Um, it always it always comes to you. My issue early on was trying to make the play all the time. And that can just make you play out of the scheme. You’re playing it for the wrong reasons. Um, and even affect somebody else’s job because I’m just out there freelancing. Outside of wins, when I when I see you making plays Yeah. this season, when will I know you’re most proud of yourself or what you’re excited? Because I’m looking at this like I mean, listen, you got defensive player of the year votes. Okay. Top five in sacks, TFLs, pressures, hurries, forced fumbles. That is a lot of accomplishments. What is the one that you’re most proud of when it happens on the field? Uh, as far as a play, I mean, the strip sack is, like I said, that’s the best feeling. Um, who’s your favorite to do that to? What’s the any division play? any divisional any just name them. Oh yeah, I can you say that. Jay love number one. Yeah, love. Uh why J Love? I mean it’s just our division rival. I mean you got Caleb Williams and Jericho. I feel like they all got it equally. I mean honestly uh it’s just that division and I didn’t learn obviously how strong the division rival was obviously since I got here last year. Um and I understand it, you know, uh we don’t like them, they don’t like us. So it’s it’s pretty well known um out there. Um your whole front seven and looking at the roster right now, it actually is insane. coach made a mention of obviously Dallas Turner, a firstrounder. He looks really great. Um, what does he pick? Is he in your pocket? What is he asking? Yeah, I think to answer your question beforehand about like what gets me excited, I get excited when my other guys like that make the plays. Um, just being real cuz, you know, I feel like I know a good bit of football, good things of being in this game now. Um, and whenever I can just shed that knowledge to him and he picks up on it that fast or another guy picks up on it, just something that I told them that’s going to happen. Um, I get super excited because it’s like, “Brother, you just made this in your first year or second year. I didn’t figure this out to going into my sixth year.” You know what I’m saying? So, um, anytime I’m able to spread knowledge like that and let them and like see them make the play and it comes to fruition, I mean, that’s literally the best feeling. Like when he got his first sack last year, I I mean, you remember his first sack last year? 100%. Yeah. I mean, it was a Giants game, but um anyway, I’m going to put you in my pocket, Jonathan, and take you around with me teammates. No, that’s that’s like my I don’t like say I’m the baby in my family, so I don’t really I never had a little brother, but um those guys are down. You being a baby at anything. It’s hilarious to think about. I really think you’re like seconds from breaking this chair. Okay, let’s talk more about this front seven because it is it is scary. And you have Hargrave and you have Dallas like we just talked about. You add Jonathan Allen, um Pangle, sorry. Uh, you added Jonathan Allen. You added um Javon. Is this the best front in the league? We can be this year. I I like us. Um I I don’t see why not. I I I honestly feel like when we’re all on the same page, um I feel like we can be that that that number one group in my opinion. I feel like that’s how we practice. That’s how we kind of carry ourselves. Um when we walk around the building or just in general, um we know we’re going to get everybody’s best. So, um, we just make sure that listen, if they going to giving out giving their best, then good luck for whoever we got in front of us. Last one for you. Oh, whoever you have in front of you, do you know who you have in front of you week 10? No. Who I got? Who do you think I want to ask you? What date is that? You don’t know? I don’t know. If you gave me a date, I probably would have known. Lamar Jackson, your old college teammate. Yeah. You faced him once before. I’m sure you if you remember a first sack from a player that isn’t named you last year, you remember two years ago facing him. Um, you sacked him. Yeah. Yeah. You also really kept him from doing his thing. You kept him from doing his thing. How fun are those battles? It’s always fun because like you got to kind of like tone it down cuz you don’t want to be like I’m not joking. Like I literally was laughing. We both were laughing mid play when I tackled him or I sacked him. Like it’s just funny because we never I never got a chance to do it too much in college. You never could touch him. Yeah. Like I think he was only live for one practice in college I think our freshman year and he took it about 70 80 yards and that was the last time he was live. They were like, “Okay, this is our guy.” So, at that point, uh, it was hands off. But, um, seeing him doing the same stuff he did in college, now in the league, um, and getting to play against him now, just we kind of look at each other at times like, “Bro, look at us. Like, we really made it at this point.” How’s it going to go week 10? Oh, man. I’m looking for a dub. I’m tell you that. He got to come here. I mean, he know it’s all love. Um, but he know he know how it is whenever we line up across each other. He going to be trying to call my name out, talking trash, trying to get my head out the game. What did he say two years ago? Can you? Oh, he’s always like calling my name out like J made that play. Where you at, JG? Just making little small talk. Um, but it’s all it’s all love. It’s so funny because I just have to be like, I can’t laugh at you right now. Like, I can’t laugh at you. I gotta lock in because you’re trying to put 50 on our head right now. So, let me let me let me not laugh at the joke that you just gave me that time. But, um, that’ll be exciting. Oh, I can’t wait. A strip sack would be fun against him, too. We’ll see what JG speaking into existence. I didn’t say it. Well, if he can he cannot put up 50 on the scoreboard or ground inside the 50% as far as top players in the NFL. Congratulations on that. the double digit sacks which are consistency, being unselfish, helping your younger teammates. I just congrats on everything and that week 10 might be a real meaningful game in the sticky NFC North. I can’t wait. Come on now. You got to come back for that one. I will come back to come back so much.

On August 20th, 2025 episode of ‘Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams’ on FanDuel TV, we’re LIVE from Minnesota Vikings training camp. Kay Adams sits down with Vikings linebacker Jonathan Greenard to talkVikings having Best Front Seven in NFL, JJ McCarthy vs the blitz, & Dallas Turner.

FULL EPISODE HERE: https://youtu.be/UrYcdMmrsfI

0:00 LB JONATHAN GREENARD INTERVIEW
0:25 VOTED A TOP 50 PLAYER
0:42 GREENARD ON DEFENSIVE FRONT
2:17 HIS IMPRESSIONS ON QB JJ MCCARTHY
4:56 JJ MCCARTHY VS THE BLITZ
6:01 BUILDING UPON VIKINGS TRAINING CAMP
7:04 COMPARING GREENARD TO MYLES GARRET
8:40 THOUGHTS ON DALLAS TURNER
9:55 IS THIS THE BEST SEVEN IN THE NFL?
10:33 SACKING RAVENS LAMAR JACKSON

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