Could a reunion be in store for the Minnesota Vikings and their former defensive end?
Prior to this season, Everson Griffen had never played a snap in the NFL for any team not named the Minnesota Vikings.
With the Vikings, Griffen established himself as one of the top pass rushers in the league. But Minnesota and the defensive end couldn’t work out a deal this summer to keep him on the roster, so he went and took an opportunity to sign with the Dallas Cowboys.
Griffen has appeared in seven games for the Cowboys this season and it sounds like his new team isn’t impressed with the veteran pass rusher’s performance. On Monday, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport revealed that Dallas is reportedly looking to trade Griffen before this year’s deadline.
Could Everson Griffen re-join the Minnesota Vikings?
It would definitely depend on what the Cowboys are looking for in return for Griffen, but the Vikings should absolutely consider bringing back their former defensive end.
With Yannick Ngakoue recently being shipped off to the Baltimore Ravens, Ifeadi Odenigbo’s 2.5 sacks are currently the most of any Minnesota defender this year. The Vikings are in desperate need of more pass-rushing help and Griffen could provide that.
By trading Ngakoue, Minnesota freed up a bunch of cap space (around $5 million). So affording the rest of Griffen’s one-year, $6 million contract wouldn’t be a problem for the Vikings.
In addition to what he could add to the team’s pass rush, Minnesota could definitely use some more veteran leadership in a locker room that is full of new faces this season.
Prior to Griffen signing with Dallas, Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer said he would “love,” for the defensive end to remain in purple this year. So we know Minnesota’s head coach wouldn’t have a problem with bringing Griffen back.
Add former Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway to the list of people who would like to see the “Sack Daddy” back in Minnesota too.
At the very least, trading for Griffen might give Vikings fans at least a few seconds of happiness during a season that already seems to be going down the drain.