Vikings

Everson Griffen Announces He Wont’ Be Back With Vikings

March 20, 2020

Vikings DE Everson Griffen announced on Instagram that he won’t be returning to Minnesota in 2020.

View this post on Instagram

When I came to Minnesota as a fourth-round pick out of USC, I had no idea how much my life would change over the next 10 years. I realized my dream of playing in the NFL, went to four Pro Bowls and came within one game of playing in the Super Bowl in front of the best fans in the country. More importantly, I became a husband, a dad, and met teammates who became brothers for life. I also stumbled a few times on my journey and could not be more grateful for the unconditional support and love I received from SKOL Nation. 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! 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.

A post shared by Everson Griffen (@eversongriffen) on Mar 20, 2020 at 10:55am PDT

“We have broken off talks with Minnesota because they have to spend their money elsewhere and we decided to now focus our attention on free agency,” Griffen’s agent Brian Murphy said per Tom Pelissero.

Minnesota was expected to release Griffen last year but was able to bring him back on a restructured deal that paid him $8 million but included the potential out if he met certain incentives.

Griffen hit two triggers to be able to void his deal last year by recording more than six sacks and playing more than 57 percent of the snaps. The move clears $13 million in cap space for the Vikings.

The Vikings were hopeful of bringing Griffen back but this appears to close the door on that possibility.

Griffen, 32, is a former fourth-round pick of the Vikings back in 2010. He signed a six-year, $75 million contract that includes $34 million guaranteed in 2017 and was set to make base salaries of $12.9 million and $13.4 million the next two seasons.

In 2019, Griffen appeared in 15 games for the Vikings and recorded 41 tackles, eight sacks, one interception and two pass defenses.