Everson Griffen, a defensive end for the Vikings who voided his contract with the team in the offseason, has announced that he will find a different team in free agency.
“While it is with a heavy heart that I say goodbye, I leave Minnesota in the best physical and mental shape I have ever been and have many Pro Bowl seasons to come,” Griffen posted on his Instagram.
“Wherever my next stop is, I will always be grateful to and cheering for the Vikings. Thank you all for the love, support and memories.”
Per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Griffen’s agent, Brian Murphy, said that they “have broken off talks with Minnesota because they have to spend their money elsewhere.”
Murphy also told Pelissero that “we decided to now focus our attention on free agency.”
This decision is a tough one for the Vikings, a team that will now reportedly move forward without two of their mainstay defensive linemen from past seasons. According to media reports, Linval Joseph, a former Vikings defensive tackle, has signed with the Chargers in free agency.