Everson Griffen rebounds with a Pro Bowl season
For the first time since he became a full-time starter for the Vikings in 2014, Everson Griffen failed to finish with at least eight sacks in a single season last year. Griffen ended 2018 with just 5.5 sacks, which actually still ended up being the second-most of any Minnesota defender last season.
Still, the defensive end wasn’t himself last year. But a lot of his performance last season likely had to do with what he was dealing with off of the field.
Griffen missed five games in 2018 to work on his mental health and it would have been completely understandable if he even missed more time than he did.
He eventually returned after being away from the team for a little more than a month, however, he was unable to perform like the ferocious pass-rushing monster that Vikings fans have become accustomed to over the past few years.
For 2019, Griffen has the opportunity to prove that he is still one of the best in the NFL at getting to the opposing quarterback. His mental health seems to have improved and Minnesota head coach Mike Zimmer even commented this offseason that the defensive end has been back to playing like the guy who finished with 13 sacks in 2017.
With the motivation to prove to everyone that he’s still got it, Griffen will end this season with at least 12 sacks and his fourth-career trip to the Pro Bowl.