Minnesota Vikings defensive end Iverson Griffen made headlines after deciding to opt out of his current contract. Regardless, head coach Mike Zimmer is still confident about his future with the team.
Griffen is set to test the market as an unrestricted free agent this offseason. Zimmer downplayed this notion by sating he expects to get a new deal done after the team met with his agent, via Chad Graff of The Athletic:
Mike Zimmer just told reporters in Indianapolis that the team expects Everson Griffen to sign a new deal with the Vikings after voiding his contract last week. The front office met with Griffen’s agent yesterday.
Zimmer's comments indicate that Vikings fans can breathe a sigh of relief that they plan on having Griffen stick around. Although he is full prepared to test the waters of free agency, it seems to simply have been a power play in order to get a new, lucrative contract in the works.
It is safe to say that the strategy by Griffen's camp may have worked since opting out essentially allows him to potentially gauge the market for other offers. After all, there would certainly be no shortage of interest in a player of his caliber in free agency.
The 32-year-old showed he still has plenty left in the tank after finishing the 2019 NFL season with 41 tackles, eight sacks, 24 quarterback hits, and an interception. Griffen could have his eye on making franchise history just 11 sacks shy of Jared Allen's spot for third all-time heading into the 2020 NFL season.
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