97 Everson Griffen DE

Griffen is no longer considering re-signing with the Vikings, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Griffen's agent released a statement saying "We have broken off talks with Minnesota because they have to spend their money elsewhere and we decided to now focus our attention on free agency." After having spent his entire NFL career with the Vikings, the veteran defensive end will now look to bring his talents elsewhere. Griffen has notched at least 40 total tackles and eight sacks in five of the last six seasons.

Coach Mike Zimmer suggested Griffen could re-sign with the Vikings, Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Griffen exercised an opt-out clause in his contract last week, realizing that a $12.9 million cap hit without any salary guarantees would leave him vulnerable to being released at a later date. The Vikings are optimistic they can work out a deal with a lower cap hit and also some form of protection for the 32-year-old defensive end. Griffen has spent his entire pro career in Minnesota.

Griffen has exercised the right to opt out of his current contract, Courtney Cronin of ESPN reports.

Griffen met multiple performance thresholds in 2019 that opened the door for him to opt out, and a source ultimately told ESPN that the veteran lineman intends to do so. While the 32-year-old was a key piece of the defense last year with 41 combined tackles and eight sacks through 15 games, he would have represented a potential $12.9 million cap hit for 2020, which could have resulted in him being a cap casualty given Minnesota's financial situation (it was projected to be over the cap in double digits).

Griffen has the option to void his contract this offseason, Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Griffen signed a four-year, $58 million extension in July 2017, later agreeing to a reduced base salary for 2019. He's now set to enter the second season of the extension, carrying a $12.9 million base salary and $13.9 million cap hit, per overthecap.com. None of the remaining money is guaranteed, so Griffen may decide to void the contract, especially if he's worried the Vikings might release him later in the offseason. The 32-year-old defensive end had 41 tackles and eight sacks in 15 games during the 2019 campaign, adding six tackles and 1.5 sacks in two playoff appearances. His 24 QB hits during the regular season tied for 11th in the league, and a 76.0 grade from Pro Football Focus tied for 26th among 108 qualified edge rushers. Even so, the cap-strapped Vikings may consider Griffen expendable, after fellow defensive ends Danielle Hunter (14.5 sacks) and Ifeadi Odenigbo (7.0 sacks) also had impressive seasons in 2019.

Griffen, who posted six tackles and 1.5 sacks over two postseason contests, finished the 2019 season with 41 tackles, eight sacks and two pass breakups over 15 regular-season games.

The 32-year-old defensive end finished second on the team in sacks behind Danielle Hunter (14.5), while third-year pro Ifeadi Odenigbo wasn't far behind with seven. Griffen averaged 57.5 defensive snaps per contest, and he'll be a starter again in 2020. He has three years remaining on his contract.

Griffen (knee) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game versus the Lions.

Griffen played a season-low 57 percent of defensive snaps against the Seahawks and began the week as a limited practice participant, but he's ready to go for Week 14. The 31-year-old should resume his typically heavier workload now that he's healthy.

Griffen (knee) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

Griffen was hampered by this issue in this past Monday's loss to the Seahawks, as he played a season-low, 57-percent snap share and didn't record a tackle. The veteran defensive end will likely tough it out again Sunday against the Lions since he remains on the practice field.

Griffen (knee) was limited in Thursday's practice.

Minnesota did not practice Thursday, so this status is just an estimation. The 31-year-old has yet to miss a game this season, but if he were to sit out, Ifeadi Odenigbo would likely see more snaps.

Griffen posted three tackles (one solo) and a sack in Sunday's 27-23 win over the Broncos.

Griffen continues to be a strong pass-rushing threat, as he's marked seven sacks through 11 games -- 1.5 more than he had at this point in 2018. The veteran defensive end has also been more durable than last season, and now he'll benefit from Week 12's bye to hopefully keep him that way. Griffen will suit up next Dec. 2 against the Seahawks.

Griffen notched six tackles (five solo) and a sack in Sunday's 26-23 loss to the Chiefs.

Griffen sacked Matt Moore late in the fourth quarter, but the Vikings were unable to hold on as they lost on a last-second field goal. The veteran defensive end has matched his 2018 total of 5.5 sacks, and his fourth double-digit sack campaign is within reach.

Griffen (quadriceps) was a full participant at Tuesday's practice.

Griffen played a season-high 73 snaps in Sundays win over the Lions and was estimated as a non-participant on Monday's injury report. The 31-year-old's return to practice puts him on track to play Thursday against the Redskins.

Griffin was estimated to be a non-participant on Monday's injury report with a quadriceps issue.

The Vikings didn't actually practice Monday, but it's still not a great sign Griffen wasn't expected to practice. The 31-year-old played a season-high 73 snaps in Sunday's win over the Lions and it's unclear how he sustained the injury. Griffen's status for Thursday's matchup with the Redskins remains up in the air.

Griffen recorded six tackles (four solo) and a sack across 41 defensive snaps in Sunday's win over the Raiders.

Griffen notched his second sack of the season Sunday and had the most tackles in a single contest so far this year. Overall, it was probably the veteran's best performance of the season, but he'll look to raise the bar next Sunday against Mitch Trubisky and the Bears in Chicago.

Griffen recorded a sack in Sunday's 28-12 win over the Falcons.

Griffen is looking for a bounce-back season after posting 5.5 sacks in 11 games last year. As long as he can stay healthy, Griffen has set himself up well to reach that goal, and he'll have plenty of opportunities after logging 65 defensive snaps in the season opener. Expect him to have another solid pass-rushing opportunity in Week 2 versus the Packers, as Aaron Rodgers was just sacked by five times by the Bears.

Griffen and the Vikings have reached an agreement for the defensive end to remain in Minnesota, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

This could mean Griffen took a pay cut to stick around, as he was otherwise under contract through 2022 with cap hits of at least $11.7 each year. Although the 31-year-old's play fell off in 2018, off-the-field concerns may have played a significant role in that. Griffen otherwise averaged over 10.8 sacks per season in the four preceding seasons.

Griffen had 33 tackles (22 solo) and 5.5 sacks across 11 games in 2018.

Griffen missed five games early in the season as he addressed some mental health issues and never really found his rhythm this season. The 31-year-old is signed with Minnesota through 2022, but if the team were to cut him prior to March 15 it would save about $11.7 million in cap space with only $1.2 million in dead cap, per Spotrac.com. The Vikings also have the third-least amount of projected cap space in 2019, making Griffen a prime candidate to be a cap casualty.

Griffen recorded two tackles, including one sack, during Sunday's victory over the Lions.

Vikings pass rushers weren't as productive as they were during their first meeting with Detroit this season when Minnesota sacked quarterback Matthew Stafford a combined 10 times, but the unit still had no trouble shutting down a Lions offense depleted of star power. Griffen was a big part of that, and the veteran now has 5.5 sacks in 10 games this season.

Griffen recorded one sack across 43 defensive snaps in Sunday's win over the Packers.

Griffen didn't stuff the stat sheet Sunday night, but showed up when it mattered most, delivering a huge sack on Aaron Rodgers late in the fourth quarter with the Packers driving. Across six games this season, Griffen has recorded 14 tackles and three sacks.

Griffen had 1.5 sacks, three QB hits and four total tackles in Sunday's win over Detroit.

Griffen played in 52 of the defense's 71 snaps as he looked back to full speed in his second game after missing five games due to mental health issues. He had just one tackle and didn't provide any pressure against the QB in his first game back, but against the Lions he looked like the player who had 13 sacks last season.

Griffen had one tackle in Sunday's loss to the Saints.

He played 37 of the defense's 53 snaps after missing the last five games while dealing with mental health issues. He played fewer snaps that usual as he was eased back into action. Although he didn't record any pressure on the quarterback, it looks like he could soon return to his prior form.