Everson Griffen, Packers express mutual interest as passer gets closer to free agent decision, according to report

Everson Griffen is determined to find a team for the 2020 season sooner rather than later so he can enter the team’s facility with training camps to start within the NFL. The Minnesota Vikings would still like to bring Griffen back, but their biggest rival in the NFC North is trying to sign him. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Green Bay Packers are among teams expressing interest in Griffen and the sentiment is mutual.

Green Bay would be adding Griffen to a passing career that already has Preston Smith and Za’Darius Smith in a defensive unit that tied for 15th in the NFL in sacks last season. The Packers were only 20th in the league in pressure percentage at 21.8%, making it necessary to add more firepower to their passing career. Griffen is one of the best passing drivers available on the market, finishing with 41 tackles, 24 quarterback hits and eight sacks in 15 games for the Minnesota Vikings last season. He had 35 pressures and 13 quarterback kills in a Pro Bowl year. Griffen has 355 tackles and 74.5 sacks in 10 seasons with nine forced fumbles. Griffen, 32, has three double-digit shooting seasons in his career.

The Vikings would like to bring Griffen back to a defense that finished 16th in pressures (143) and tied for fifth in sacks (48) last season. Minnesota’s 54 rushes were 20 in the NFL.

Minnesota has Danielle Hunter and Ifeadi Odenigbo on their defensive line as the pair combined to get 21.5 sacks last season. Bringing Griffen back would solidify a passing career that invested in DJ Wonnum and Kenny Willekes in the draft. Griffen would help the development of the two young runners and take some pressure off Anthony Zettel, who is in line to be the No. 3 defensive end.

The Arizona Cardinals are also one of the teams that are reportedly interested in Griffen as they look for additional pass riders to pair with Chandler Jones and Jordan Phillips. Arizona’s defense finished with 40 sacks last season, tied for 17th in the NFL, while its 7.7% pinch percentage was the sixth-lowest in the league.