How Ifeadi Odenigbo can make Vikings forget about Everson Griffen

A farewell to Griffen

Everson Griffen was the pulse of the Vikings defensive front for the last six years, and maybe even longer depending on one’s perspective.

On the 2019 roster, Griffen and corner Marcus Sherels were the only members of Minnesota’s roster to play under head coaches Brad Childress, Leslie Frazier, and Mike Zimmer. Griffen has seen some things.

Novelist Jocelyn Murray once wrote, “Familiarity makes the lion more dangerous.” She definitely wasn’t talking about defensive line depth charts, but she was on to something.

It is verifiable that the Vikings defense was ferocious with Griffen on the edge of the line. Since 2014, the 32-year-old has the ninth-most sacks in the NFL.

Last season, he recorded another eight sacks and he was elected to the fourth Pro Bowl of his career. If Griffen is showing signs of slowing down, they are faint. He’s still very much the lifeblood-type to a huddle and Minnesota will sorely miss him.

Griffen reportedly landed a significantly higher payday than what Ifeadi Odenigbo is scheduled to make this season. The former Vikings defensive end is reportedly receiving a contract worth up to $6 million in Dallas. On paper, Minnesota had the piggy bank for his services, but they were evidently content with moving on.

If the goal was to “dance with the one that brought you” as the saying goes, Griffen was a vivid and undisputed choice to remain a Viking. His legacy at the defensive end position was fierce, feisty, and familiar.

But a new era begins…