Assessing Stephen Weatherly’s value ahead of 2020 free agency

The Everson Griffen factor

Any potential contract discussions involving Stephen Weatherly and the Vikings will surely see Everson Griffen’s name come up.

Minnesota is hopeful Griffen can come back on a new contract after opting out of his previous deal. He is still putting up good numbers and he has at least two more productive seasons left in the tank.

He is also a hugely influential figure within a Vikings locker room that has already lost some key veterans this offseason. While bringing back Griffen makes sense, it might hurt Minnesota’s chances to keep Weatherly on the roster.

After working his way into the rotation and playing well when called upon, Weatherly might think now is the time to try and secure a more prominent role on defense. Few would disagree he has earned the right to fight for a starting spot, whether that is with the Vikings or elsewhere.

If Griffen sticks around for the final stages of a closing window in Minnesota (in terms of their Super Bowl hopes), then this would spell bad news for Weatherly’s hopes of an increased role. One would think it unlikely he is willing to wait around for Griffen to play of his final days and continue to settle for a reserve role with the Vikings.

Starting defensive ends tend to have a more prolific background than Weatherly, but that does not mean he is any less deserving of a starting spot.