4 reasons why the Vikings should keep Everson Griffen around for 2020
By Adam Patrick
Juice is still left in the tank
No one really knew what to expect from Everson Griffen in 2019. Griffen was coming off a 2018 campaign in which he had to miss time to tend to his mental health and he finished with his fewest sacks in a single season (5.5) since he became a full-time starter in 2014.
But in 2019, he came back with a vengeance.
Griffen finished last season with 41 tackles, 35 pressures, 24 quarterback hits, eight sacks, and one interception. His performance resulted in an invite to the Pro Bowl for the fourth time in his NFL career.
Despite being on the tail end of his time in the league, Griffen proved in 2019 that he can still be a disruptive force on the Vikings’ defensive line.
At 32-years-old, he might not be as quick as he used to be in his prime, but he’s been in the NFL long enough to figure out an answer for whatever an opposing offensive line decides to throw at him.
Even if Minnesota doesn’t want to bring Griffen back as a starter for next season, using him in a situational pass-rushing type of role would still keep him as a valuable part of the team’s defense.
He might only have a year or two of productive football left in him, but the Vikings should be making sure this time is spent with him in a purple and gold uniform.