Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press, citing a source close to the situation, reports that free agent DE Everson Griffen is “probably” done with the Vikings. However, Tomasson says there’s at least a chance he could return to Minnesota, depending on whether they come away from the draft with a pass rusher or not.
Griffen announced on Instagram last month that he wasn’t going to be returning to the Vikings for the 2020 season. However, he recently told Tom Pelisseo of NFL Media on Friday “never say never” on a return to Minnesota.
Tomasson explains that Griffen decided to put out the statement about him leaving because he wanted to get the word out to teams that he was available. Unfortunately, Griffen remains a free agency.
According to Tomasson, Griffen’s situation is complicated by the fact he can’t visit other teams and he had mental health issues in 2018. A team with interest in signing him to a contract may wait until they’re able to meet with him face to face.
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 cleared $13 million in cap space for the Vikings.
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.
We have him included in our Top 100 Available 2020 Free Agents list.
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