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Well, we have our first signing for the Minnesota Vikings during this 2014 free agency season, and it's one that I'm frankly surprised took this long.
Per numerous sources, including NFL.com's Ian Rapoport, defensive end Everson Griffen is on the verge of signing a five-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings.
DE Everson Griffen is re-signing with the Vikings on a huge 5-year deal, per source
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2014
Griffen was the Vikings' fourth-round pick (#100) overall out of USC in the 2010 NFL Draft. The Vikings have used him at almost every defensive line spot over the course of his career (and even tried transitioning him to linebacker at one point), and he has produced when given the opportunity. He racked up a career-high eight sacks in 2012, including three in the regular-season finale against the Green Bay Packers, and followed that up with 5.5 this past season. Griffen's athleticism is undeniable, and hopefully he can transition from a part-time role to a full-time one without many hiccups.
Griffen will, presumably, plug into Jared Allen's spot along the defensive line, which could mean that the Vikings are officially out on Michael Johnson, the (soon-to-be) former Bengal that has been connected to the Vikings for some time now.
Again, Everson Griffen will not hit free agency, as it appears he is on the verge of signing a new five-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings. Congratulations to Griffen on his new deal, and to the Vikings for not allowing him to enter the open market.
EDIT: We have the particulars of the deal, per Adam Schefter, and it appears that #97 did pretty well for himself.
Vikings re-signed DE Everson Griffin, as @rapsheet reported. Told it's a 5-year, $42.5 million deal that includes $20 mil gtd, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2014