After splitting the 2020 season with Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions, veteran defensive end Everson Griffen is returning home. The four-time Pro Bowler will play for the Minnesota Vikings once again, inking a one-year deal on Monday.
Griffen was the Vikings’ fourth-round pick in the 2010 NFL season and went on to play 10 seasons with the franchise. He left as a free agent after 2019, signing a deal with the Cowboys. After just two months in Dallas, the 33-year-old player ended up being traded to the Lions.
Griffen had a solid season last year, playing in 14 games for Cowboys and Lions and contributing with 33 tackles, 6.0 sacks, 14 QB hits, and four pass deflections. He is expected to provide competition on the defensive end position for the Vikings, who are still undecided about who will start alongside All-Pro DE Danielle Hunter.
Minnesota’s head coach Mike Zimmer told reporters on Monday that he believes Griffen can be a valuable addition to the roster.
“If I didn’t think he could help us, we wouldn’t sign him,” said Zimmer while adding that the veteran will most likely play a role of a “situational player” in 2021.
Since coming into the league, Everson Griffen racked up 80.5 sacks while also having 386 tackles and two defensive touchdowns. He earned three straight Pro Bowl nods between 2015 and 2017 before adding one more in 2019. Griffen also has a Second-Team All-Pro selection from 2017.
