Just a year-and-a-half ago, Everson Griffen signed a four-year, $58 million contract extension with the Minnesota Vikings that was set to take him through 2022. However, after just two seasons, the Vikings may already be preparing to part ways with the defensive lineman.
According to Ben Goessling of The Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Griffen could end up being a cap casualty for Minnesota this offseason, as the 31-year-old carries an $11.7 million cap heading into next year.
For a cap-strapped team like the Vikings that has a couple of good young defensive ends in Danielle Hunter and Stephen Weatherly, it's easy to see how cutting Griffen would be an easy solution, especially given Griffen's decline in 2018.
In 11 games this past season, Griffen finished with just 33 tackles and 5.5 sacks, as opposed to the 2017 campaign in which he racked up 45 tackles, 13 sacks and three forced fumbles en route to a Pro Bowl appearance.
The Avondale, Arizona native, who played his collegiate football at the University of Southern California, was originally selected by the Vikings in the fourth round (100th pick overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft.
He logged just four tackles during his rookie campaign and made a minimal impact during his second season, but Griffen showed his promise as an edge rusher in 2012, posting 23 tackles, eight sacks, an interception, a couple of fumble recoveries and a defensive touchdown.
Griffen then became a full-time starter in 2014, when he totaled 12 sacks. He then proceeded to make three straight trips to Honolulu from 2015 through 2017 before his disappointing campaign this past season.
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