Everson Griffen is playing out of his mind for the Minnesota Vikings this season

So far in 2017, the Minnesota Vikings defensive end is on pace to have himself the best single-season performance of his NFL career.

Back in July, the Minnesota Vikings and Everson Griffen agreed to a four-year extension that will keep the defensive end under contract with the team until 2023. The deal assures that the Vikings will have a solid pass-rush from the right side of their defensive line for at least the next couple of seasons.

So far in 2017, however, Griffen’s play has been much more than just solid. Through four games for Minnesota this season, the veteran defensive end has just been flat-out outstanding.

Griffen has already pressured opposing quarterbacks 21 times this year (including five sacks) according to Pro Football Focus. The Vikings pass-rusher has always shown he possesses an above-average ability to get to the quarterback, but this season it just seems like he is playing at an entirely different level.

So what could possibly be the reasoning for Griffen’s jump in play this year? Well, his fellow Minnesota defensive end on the other side of the line, Danielle Hunter, could have a lot to do with it.

This is Hunter’s first NFL season in which he has began the year as a starter for the Vikings’ defense. After registering 12.5 sacks in a reserve role last season, the team really had no other choice than to include him on their starting defense for 2017.

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However, an increased role also comes with increased attention. Opposing offenses know how dangerous of a pass-rusher Hunter is and they have been doing their best to make sure he cannot get to their quarterback.

For the past three seasons, Griffen has been the defensive end to draw the most attention from opposing offenses. This year, Hunter has had to go against multiple blockers, thus giving Griffen plenty of 1-on-1 situations.

The decrease in attention has put the veteran defensive end on pace to end the 2017 season with a total of 20 sacks. Well above his previous single-season career high of 12 back in 2014.

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There seems to be no reason to think that Griffen cannot continue this impressive pace as long as Hunter continues to stay healthy this year. Which means the restless nights for opposing quarterbacks when preparing to face the Vikings’ pass rush will continue on this season as well.