The Minnesota Vikings have had an offseason defined by roster turnover, specifically on the defensive end where they lost four important starters: tackle Linval Joseph, cornerbacks Xavier Rhodes and Trae Waynes and, perhaps most notably, defensive end Everson Griffen.
Despite Griffen still being a free agent and posting a heartfelt farewell to the team on social media during the offseason, Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman has not closed the door on a potential return for the 10-year veteran:
“Some of these guys that we’ve had to make some very, very tough decisions on, it had nothing to do with them as football players,” Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman said in a Tuesday conference call with the media, per NBC Sports. “It had nothing to do with them as people or what they do for our community. It’s just sometimes, I would bet we’ve kept that defense together as long as anyone has in that six-year span, it’s just, right now, we’re just in an evolution period of our roster.”
Spielman then continued: “I don’t think things broke down. I’ve had some great conversations with Everson.”
Everson Griffen has spent the entirety of his career with the Vikings after being drafted in the fourth round (100th overall) in the 2010 NFL Draft.
A four-time Pro-Bowler, Griffen has accumulated 74.5 career sacks, which is 15th among all active players and 83rd all-time. That number also places him fourth all-time in Vikings history in that statistic, behind only Hall of Famers John Randle (114 sacks), Chris Doleman (96.5 sacks) and recent Vikings stalwart Jared Allen (85.5 sacks).
Follow Us
Subscribe