3 reasons why Everson Griffen decided to leave the Vikings

Minnesota’s offer was too low

Heading into the 2020 season, Everson Griffen was originally scheduled to cost the Vikings $13.9 million in salary cap space. However, Minnesota had the option to cut Griffen this year and free up $13 million of that cap space.

Since the veteran defensive end fulfilled the playing time and production requirements in 2019 to void his contract this year, he also had the option to do this. Knowing that the Vikings were probably going to cut him if he decided to keep his current deal with the team, Griffen decided to void his contract instead and he became a free agent for the first time in his career.

It was initially assumed by most that he would just re-sign with Minnesota this offseason. But then Griffen revealed on his Instagram account that he was ending contract talks with the Vikings and he was looking to pursue opportunities with other teams.

Despite this post, the talented pass rusher reportedly never ruled out a return to Minnesota and neither did the team.

Most recently, it was revealed that the Vikings did actually make a contract offer to Griffen this offseason. However, the offer was reportedly a low one and this isn’t too hard to believe when he signed with the Cowboys for only $6 million.

In the end, Griffen had to take the best offer he had on the table and unfortunately for Minnesota fans, it wasn’t the one that would have kept him in purple.