Every NFL team’s most underrated player heading into 2022

These players don’t get the recognition they deserve in the NFL.

The NFL has no shortage of superstars who are the face of the league. But there are plenty of impact players in the NFL who don’t necessarily get the recognition they deserve.

Whether overlooked or ignored all together, these players are significant contributors for their respective teams. They’ve had proven success but haven’t necessarily gotten the praise they deserve.

Our NFL Wire editors examined the most underrated player for each team heading into the 2022 season, highlighting why they’re deserving of recognition.

Ex-Viking Kyle Sloter earns $51K for being inactive against Packers

Kyle Sloter had an incredible payday for being inactive Sunday for Minnesota

Nice work if you can find it.

Kirk Cousins was out due to COVID-19 so the Minnesota Vikings had to rummage through discarded quarterbacks because they weren’t certain if Sean Mannion would be able to play against the Green Bay Packers in Week 17.

That would have left the Vikings with only rookie Kellen Mond, so they went out and signed Kyle Sloter.

Mannion, as it turns out, was good to go, so after six days of being on the active roster, Sloter was inactive for Sunday’s NFC North clash.

And a day later, he was gone, waived.

But don’t shed any tears for Sloter. For his efforts, he earned a game check worth $51,111.

Sean Mannion throws first NFL TD pass after connecting with center for 21 yards

Sean Mannion with an interesting drive on the way to his first NFL TD pass

There are a couple of reasons why Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sean Mannion will remember his start in Green Bay in Week 17.

The QB filling in for Kirk Cousins (COVID-19) waited until the last play of the third quarter to throw his first NFL TD pass.

The former Oregon State star was all over 29 years and 252 days old before a pass he threw reached an NFL end zone.

However, on the march to those six points, Mannion also completed a 21-yard pass to his center, Garrett Bradbury.

The pass was intended for tight end Tyler Conklin, who took a massive hit and the ball squirted back toward where the pass originated.

Bradbury was on the spot, catching the carom and running it to the Green Bay 14.

The drive was completed when Mannion hit K.J. Osborn for a 14-yard TD, the first in an NFL career that began in 2015.

Vikings’ Everson Griffen reveals diagnosis of bipolar disorder

Vikings defensive lineman Everson Griffen says he has been diagnosed as bipolar

Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman Everson Griffen posted on his Instagram Friday that he has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

Griffen, who on Nov. 24 was involved in a scary incident at his home that saw authorities take hours to coax him out safely, said he is going to become an advocate for mental health.

Verified

It’s true I am bipolar. I will embrace it and I will be an advocate for mental health. I been running from it a long time. I’m not ashamed of it anymore. It all started when my mother passed away. Went into a dark place, thought I was great for many years. I promise this time I will do everything the experts say. I love my family and I miss my friends. Thank you for all the love and support, but most of all thank you for all the prayers. #bEGreat #mentalhealthawareness

https://www.instagram.com/p/CXCowLYFGtl/

Griffen was placed on the non-football illness reserve list on Nov. 26. He will miss his second straight game on Sunday at Detroit.

Vikings’ Everson Griffen willingly leaves home after standoff

Everson Griffen is out of his house and getting help after a scary incident, according to the Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings released a statemen Wednesday afternoon saying defensive lineman Everson Griffen has left his home after a standoff with authorities, is safe, and getting help.

“Shortly after 1:30 pm (Central)this afternoon, Everson Griffen came out of his residence without incident,” Minnetrista police said. “He was transported by ambulance to an area heath care facility where he is receiving appropriate care.”

“We got him the necessary help that he needs and … care of medical professionals,” said Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman, who was outside Griffen’s house for part of the day.

The team released a more formal statement, thanking authorities.

“Law enforcement agencies have notified us Everson Griffen came out of his home without incident and is now getting the care he needs,” the Vikings said in a statement Wednesday afternoon. “We are thankful to the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, the Carver County Sheriff’s Office, the Minnetrista Police Department and the Orono Police Department for their quick response and dedication to ensuring the situation ended peacefully. Our focus remains on Everson’s health and safety and providing the proper resources for him and his family.”

From the AP report:

Griffen, who took a leave from the team in 2018 for mental health treatment, had posted on Instagram screenshots of middle-of-the-night text messages to his agent, Brian Murphy, that were pleas for help because he said people were trying to kill him. Griffen also posted a video depicting him with a gun that he said was purchased legally. Those posts have since been deleted.

The 12th-year player initially refused to come out of his house because he feared intruders. Police said they were confident Griffen was alone in the home as they worked to resolve the situation.

The incident began overnight when Griffen called the police and said an intruder had come into his suburban Minneapolis home. However, authorities did not find anyone on the grounds.

Griffen told the 911 dispatcher that he fired a weapon but that no one was injured.

During the hours-long standoff, Griffen posted videos showing himself with a gun, saying teammate Dalvin Cook had helped him purchase it.

At practice Wednesday, Cook said he had no knowledge of why Griffen referenced him.

“Since I got here, he was one of the older guys that took me under his wings and taught me, ‘This is what you don’t do, this is how you do it, this is how you take care of your body,'” Cook said. “Just how to be a pro. Appreciate him for that, for the little things he did. Since he got back, our relationship has gotten stronger. He’s been trying to win games. We’ve been on the same mission, all of us, just trying to win games, trying to get better, trying to lead this team in the right way. So we are definitely close. That’s my brother. I just want him to be OK. In his mind, make sure his family is OK. I just want what’s best for Everson overall.”

Greg Joseph kicks 29-yard field goal to lift Vikings over Packers

The Vikings are back at .500 as Greg Joseph kicked the game-winning field goal

The seesaw game between the Green Bay Packers and the Vikings saw Greg Joseph kick a 29-yard field goal as time ran out to give Minnesota a 34-31 victory Sunday in an NFC North battle.

The field goal came on a drive that saw Darnell Savage of the Packers appear to intercept a Kirk Cousins pass but it was overruled on review.

Minnesota then continued its march, bled the clock before sending Joseph onto the field with two seconds left.

He drilled the kick and Minnesota is back at .500.

Vikings, Packers trade incredible touchdown passes

The Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings game has traded touchdown passes late in the fourth quarter.

The NFC North clash between the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings has turned into a showcase for phenomenal wide receivers.

Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson is going catch for catch with Green Bay’s Davante Adams.

Jefferson made his second TD grab of the game — Adams has a pair, too — and the 2-point conversion by Dalvin Cook gave the Vikings a 31-24 lead.

With two minutes left, Adams and Jefferson each have seven catches. Jefferson’s have gone for 163 yards while Adams’ for 115.

The lead didn’t last as Aaron Rodgers hit Marquez Valdes-Scantling for a 75-yard TD on the first play after the kickoff.

The game was  tied at 31.

Kirk Cousins floats fourth-down pass for Vikings’ TD

Kirk Cousins gives the Vikings the lead over the Chargers with a fourth-down pass

Kirk Cousins will be able to tell everyone one day he threw a dart on fourth down for a touchdown pass to Tyler Conklin. Part of that will be true.

The Vikings’ veteran quarterback floated a pass into the end zone in the third quarter Sunday, and thanks to some friendly fire between Los Angeles Chargers defensive players in the end zone, the tight end was able to come down it for six points.

Sometimes it is far better to be lucky than to be pretty.

Conklin had 2 catches for 6 total yards at that point, both for TDs.

Packers activate Aaron Rodgers in time for Seahawks game

Aaron Rodgers has been activated by the Green Bay Packers

Aaron Rodgers will return to the Green Bay Packers in Week 10.

A week after missing a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs due to COVID-19, the reigning MVP will play Sunday against Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks.

The news was made official Saturday when the NFC North leaders activated their quarterback.

Rodgers does make an appearance on the injury report due to a toe issue but that will not impact his availability.

The game features a matchup of quarterbacks back in action. Wilson returns to Seattle after missing a series of games with a broken finger.

COVID-19 related pneumonia sends Vikings player to hospital

The Minnesota Vikings are plagued by COVID-19 issues

Scary news out of Minnesota on Wednesday. Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer said one of his players was in the hospital due to COVID-19 related pneumonia.

Zimmer did not name the player. However, ESPN reported it is guard Dakota Dozier.

“I’m not a doctor, but it was COVID pneumonia or something, he had a hard time breathing,” Zimmer said.

The Star-Tribune reported a handful of Minnesota players have been placed on the COVID-19 list.

Two more Vikings players have to stay away from the team after being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Monday, bringing the total of isolated players up to five in the past five days.

Linebacker Ryan Connelly, who played 21 snaps on special teams during Sunday’s loss in Baltimore, and practice squad tackle Timon Parris have to clear league protocols to return, with the rules varying on whether they tested positive or were a close contact, as well as vaccinated or unvaccinated.

They join safety Harrison Smith, center Garrett Bradbury, and guard Dakota Dozier who were all placed on the COVID list since Thursday.