The now-defunct utopian scenario
Minnesota moved on from Everson Griffen and the reasons for why are not well-known. He could have demanded truckload of cash that the Vikings were skittish to oblige to since they had a Plan B named Ifeadi.
A simple cost-versus-value analysis flat-out favors Ifeadi Odenigbo. But can a team place a price on leadership and experience?
Why didn’t the Vikings pounce on Griffen at $6 million for 2021? That is unknown. He felt too infectious, in a good way, and too battle-tested for Minnesota to miss out on bringing him back.
What’s more, the Vikings saw a depth chart where the two men can coexist. Minnesota ranked fifth in sacks in 2019, and there’s no reason to believe that would have dipped in 2020 if Griffen and Odenigbo were, once again, a part of the same roster.
Perhaps Griffen was ready to be done in Minnesota. He can seek vengeance in Week 11 of the upcoming season though when he and the Cowboys face the Vikings inside U.S. Bank Stadium.