The Arizona Cardinals have made several significant additions to the defensive front seven this offseason. They signed defensive lineman Jordan Phillips and drafted two others. They signed inside linebacker De’Vondre Campbell and drafted two others. They also signed outside linebacker Devon Kennard.
They are believed to be targeting a quality pass rusher as well.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Cardinals are among the teams with interest in Griffen.
Two veteran free agents who have had markets despite not signing — Jason Peters, Everson Griffen. Both have had strong interest from multiple teams (Cardinals believed to be among those for Griffen). Both staying patient, waiting for right opportunity.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) May 22, 2020
The Cardinals have little in the way of cap space currently but could use another pass rusher. They have Chandler Jones and Kennard, but behind them are Haason Reddick and young, unproven players in the league like Kylie Fitts and Vontarrius Dora.
Griffen is a local product, as he played high school ball at Agua Fria High School. he is 32 years old and is still disruptive after 10 years with the Minnesota Vikings. He was a Pro Bowler last season and had eight sacks, 11 tackles for loss and 24 QB hits.
In his career, he has 74.5 career sacks.
He would naturally be a good addition to the Cardinals defense, though he would have to adjust to playing as a 3-4 outside linebacker instead of a 4-3 defensive end.
The question will come down to role and money. Will he want a starting role? He might be a situational pass rusher in Arizona. If he wants a significant role and starter money, the Cardinals probably don’t have that to offer.
However, if he is ready to move to a situational role, he would certainly be an upgrade over Reddick, who has fewer sacks in his three-year career so far than Griffen had just last season.
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Ep. 267
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Ep. 266
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