Before the New York Giants traded linebacker Olivier Vernon to the Cleveland Browns for offensive lineman Kevin Zeitler, the Minnesota Vikings considered making a similar deal, as they thought about trading defensive end Everson Griffen for Zeitler, according to Andrew Krammer of The Minneapolis Star-Tribune.
Griffen is coming off of a 2018 campaign in which he played just 11 games due to an undisclosed personal matter, finishing with 33 tackles and 5.5 sacks.
The 31-year-old, 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 appeared in 11 contests during his rookie year, logging four tackles. He then participated in all 16 games during his second season, but totaled just 14 tackles, four sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.
Griffen finally began to show real signs of life as a pass rusher in 2012, posting 23 tackles, eight sacks, an interception, a couple of fumble recoveries, and a defensive touchdown, and following the 2013 campaign, the Vikings signed him to a five-year, $42.5 million extension.
However, he did not truly break out until 2014, when he racked up 56 tackles, 12 sacks, and a forced fumble. Griffen then made his first Pro Bowl the following year, when he recorded 44 tackles, 10.5 sacks, and a forced fumble.
Overall, Griffen has made three Pro Bowl appearances, and as recently as 2017, he was a dominant force along Minnesota's defensive line, registering 45 tackles, 13 sacks, and three forced fumbles.
He signed a four-year, $58 million deal with the Vikings during the summer of 2017, but now, it's looking like Minnesota is looking to deal him.
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