Despite it being August, Minnesota worked out a defensive end this week.
The Vikings brought in a familiar face, Everson Griffen, for a tryout. Griffen’s tryout went well, according to Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune.
At the time this article was published, Griffen had not signed with Minnesota. That said, it wouldn’t be shocking if he signed after the team’s preseason game against the Colts.
That’s why this game is crucial for some edge rushers on the team. Griffen’s tryout signals that the Vikings are looking beyond what they currently have on the roster. If Stephen Weatherly, D.J. Wonnum or Patrick Jones II want to start in 2021, one of them has to stand out in the game vs. Indianapolis.
To make matters more difficult, the Colts have a pretty good offensive line. PFF ranks them the second best in the league, heading into the 2021 NFL season.
The Vikings retooled their defense this offseason, but there has seemingly been a hole at the edge rusher spot opposite Danielle Hunter for quite some time. Minnesota not signing a big-name defensive end in free agency — and not drafting one until the third round — made it seem like the team was confident in what it had at that position.
Now, it might be time to think otherwise. The Vikings brought in a player this week who, earlier this offseason, criticized starting quarterback Kirk Cousins over Twitter.
Sure, that could maybe tell you something about Cousins, but it also tells you something about the team’s defensive end corps. Minnesota felt the need to look at improving the edge rusher spot this week. That’s a testament to what the Vikings have at that position group. Wonnum, Weatherly or Jones has to show enough promise on Saturday to stop the team from looking elsewhere.