Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen (97). Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
The Minnesota Vikings have re-signed 26-year-old defensive end Everson Griffen, and we knew his five-year deal was going to be worth a whole lot of money when the deal was first reported by the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Now we know the exact financial details of the contract, as a source tells ESPN’s Adam Schefter that Griffen will get $20 million guaranteed and $42.5 million over those five seasons.
That’s a huge investment, but it isn’t surprising that the Vikings paid high-end DE money for Griffen, who would have been a hot commodity on the free agent market due to his age, upside, physical tools, explosiveness, and breakout potential. He was logjammed behind starting duo Brian Robison and Jared Allen, so this was seen as his chance to leave the Vikings and establish himself as a top starter. He will have a chance to do just that over the next five seasons, but he will get to remain with the Vikings thanks to Allen’s departure and this huge contract.
Only Charles Johnson, Chris Long, Mario Williams, and Dion Jordan are 4-3 defensive ends with more guaranteed money on their contracts, per Over the Cap, and the $8.5 million per year that Griffen is making would make him one of the top ten highest-paid defensive ends in the NFL- ahead of Cameron Wake, Chris Clemons, and Carlos Dunlap.