Lions news: Everson Griffen hurt by Vikings coach's comments about him

Former Vikings and Cowboys defensive end Everson Griffen, now with the Lions, spoke out about his ex-coach in Minnesota sharing hurtful comments.

Everson Griffen will make his Detroit Lions debut in Week 9 against his former coach and team, Mike Zimmer and the Minnesota Vikings.

Griffen, who spent 10 years on the Vikings and loved playing for Zimmer from 2014-19, told Lions reporters on Thursday he took exception to some recent comments by the Vikings coach.

Zimmer told the Vikings media that Griffen was a “good player for us.” The new Lions defensive end didn't appreciate the word “good.”

“This is the best I've felt in a long time, and I got a little frustrated when I read that comment what Zimmer said, ‘Oh, Everson was a good player,'” Griffen said, via Courtney Cronin in ESPN.

“Like, Coach Zimmer just wasn't a good coach, he was a great coach to me, so for him to call me a good player, that kind of hurts my feelings. On Sunday I'm really looking forward to playing the Vikings and showing them that I am a great player. I'm excited, I'm ready to execute, my mental health is strong, my physical health is strong, my mind is strong, and I'm ready to go out there and dominate. I'm ready to create, adapt and go out there and win.”

The Lions are 3-4 on the season and in third place in the NFC North standings. They acquired Everson Griffen from the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a future, undisclosed draft pick.