Advertisement

Minnesota Vikings give contract extension to DE Everson Griffen, make two other moves

By Alex Butler
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is sacked by Minnesota Vikings DE Everson Griffen. The defensive lineman agreed to a four-year extension on Wednesday. File photo by Hugo Philpott/UPI
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is sacked by Minnesota Vikings DE Everson Griffen. The defensive lineman agreed to a four-year extension on Wednesday. File photo by Hugo Philpott/UPI | License Photo

July 26 (UPI) -- The Minnesota Vikings announced several moves Wednesday, including the extension of veteran defensive end Everson Griffen.

Griffen's new deal is for four years. He'll make $58 million through 2022, according to NFL Network. The pact includes $34 million in guarantees.

Advertisement

Griffen, 29, made his second consecutive Pro Bowl last season after tallying 48 tackles, eight sacks, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and a touchdown. He was a fourth-round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft out of USC. Griffen had 12 and 10 sacks in 2014 and 2015, respectively. He was recently ranked No. 92 on the NFL's Top 100 players of 2017.

He was the NFC Player of the Week during Week 3 of the 2016 NFL season after he had three sacks and three tackles for a loss against the Carolina Panthers. Griffen has only missed one game in the last six years.

"I'm excited man, first and foremost I want to thank God, without him none of this would be possible," Griffen told reporters, according to the Vikings.com. "My wife for always being there for me and Rob and Rick and my agent Brian Murphy at A1 for making this happen right before camp so I wouldn't have to worry about it."

Advertisement

"Something special is going to happen here," Griffen said. "We have to believe it and they have to believe it. You gotta believe it in your heart and we got go out there and do work. "

The Vikings also announced the signing of rookie cornerback Sam Brown out of Missouri Western State and waived second-year offensive tackle Arturo Uzdavinis. Uzdavinis signed with the team on Monday, after spending some time this offseason with the Detroit Lions. He signed with the Houston Texans after the 2016 NFL Draft and spent time last season on the practice squads of the Chicago Bears and Jacksonville Jaguars.

Brown spent the 2016 offseason with the Baltimore Ravens and the final three weeks of the 2016 season on the franchise's practice squad.

Minnesota is also negotiating with cornerback Xavier Rhodes for a new contract, according to NFL Network.

Advertisement

Latest Headlines