The Dallas Cowboys are signing defensive lineman Everson Griffen, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
The #Cowboys are adding a big-time pass-rusher, signing former #Vikings DE Everson Griffen, sources tell me, @TomPelissero and @SlaterNFL. With Minnesota for a decade, Griffen now heads to Dallas. A surprise.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 13, 2020
Griffen voided the final three years of his contract with the Minnesota Vikings back in February. There was initially a thought that the cash-strapped Vikings would bring him back on a cheaper deal, but obviously that did not come to fruition.
The 32-year-old is coming off of a 2019 campaign in which he played 15 games and registered 41 tackles, eight sacks and an interception en route to a Pro Bowl appearance.
Griffen, who played his collegiate football at the University of Southern California, was originally selected by Minnesota in the fourth round (100th pick overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft.
He appeared in 11 contests during his rookie year, logging just 11 tackles. The following year, Griffen's role began to grow, as he participated in every game and finished with 21 tackles, four sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
However, it wasn't until his fifth NFL season in 2014 that Griffen truly broke out, when he started every game and racked up 58 tackles, 12 sacks and a forced fumble.
The next year, Griffen made his first of three straight Pro Bowl appearances after totaling 44 tackles, 10.5 sacks and a forced fumble. His best season came in 2017 when he recorded 45 tackles, 13 sacks and three forced fumbles.
Griffen has shown signs of decline over the past couple of seasons, amassing just 13.5 sacks in total between 2018 and 2019. That being said, he is still a terrific addition to an already strong Cowboys defensive front that features DeMarcus Lawrence, Gerald McCoy and the recently signed Aldon Smith.
Dallas went 8-8 and missed the playoffs this past year.
Follow Us
Subscribe