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Defensive end Everson Griffen is staying in Minnesota for another five years, as the two parties are expected to announce a big deal, Ian Rapoport is reporting:
DE Everson Griffen is re-signing with the Vikings on a huge 5-year deal, per source
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2014
Some details on the contract itself:
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
A fourth-round pick out of USC in 2010, Griffen has spent his entire four-year career with the Vikings and was seen as a big piece for the Vikings to try and retain for his edge presence. The veteran has 17.5 sacks over the past three seasons, including eight in 2012, and has impressive versatility and multi-positional talent as seen when he returned an interception for a 29-yard touchdown in 2012.
The details of the deal have not yet been announced. Last season, Griffen recorded 5.5 sacks with one fumble forced and 26 total tackles. He was mostly a reserve defensive lineman last season, but with Jared Allen and Kevin Williams leaving for free agency, Griffen is expected to fill a much larger role next season. The departures of Allen and Williams also freed the financial room for this deal to happen, but we'll see if Griffen can fill the production void as well.
With Hardy and Griffen both claimed, Michael Bennett, Michael Johnson, Allen, Lamarr Houston and Justin Tuck are considered the top defensive ends still available.