Everson Griffen
Griffen wasn’t supposed to be a free agent this year. But he exercised a void in his contract by amassing at least six sacks and playing 57%-plus of the Minnesota Vikings’ defensive snaps. So now he’s officially on the market.
Griffin posted eight sacks last year and has 74.5 over his 10-year career. However, 57 of those carer sacks have come over the last six seasons, pointing to a higher average recently. Between 2014 and 2017, Griffen posted 43.5 sacks, which is the fourth-most in the NFL during that span. Griffen has also posted double-digit tackles for loss in five of the last eight seasons as well as 20 or more quarterback hits in six of eight seasons.
Perhaps most important is Griffen has remained healthy throughout his career. Though Griffen missed five games in 2018 to address his mental health but played 15 games in 2019 and missed just three other games over the last nine years of his career.
The Vikings have indicated they would like to have Griffen back but it would have to be at a reduced salary considering their cap situation is the worst in the league, according to Over The Cap. After spending his entire career in purple, Griffen may be open to offering the Vikings something of a discount. But if money starts talking, he could soon start walking. Besides, he could still play in Purple in Baltimore.