Everson Griffen: The Grass Wasn’t Greener
Veteran pass rusher Everson Griffen is happy to be back in Minnesota after a year in the wilderness.
The 2010 NFL draftee spent a decade with the Minnesota Vikings between 2010 and 2020. In that time, he amassed the seventh-most sacks in franchise history with 74.5
Everson Griffen made the Pro Bowl four times with the Vikings, including three straight selections from 2015 – 2017.
In 2020, Everson Griffen opted out of his contract to become a free agent. He signed with the Dallas Cowboys, who traded him to the Detroit Lions six months later.
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His return to Minnesota was announced on Monday. After a year including two relocations during the Covid-19 pandemic, the 33-year-old is relieved to be back.
“Honestly, I wanted to be here,” Griffen said. “I really wanted to be here, I felt like this was the best fit for me throughout the whole league. I really wanted to be here and I’m excited to be back. I’m just happy that things worked out the way they did and they welcomed me back with open arms.
“I left because I thought the grass was greener on the other side, to be honest, and it wasn’t,” Griffen added.Â
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“Going to Dallas, going to Detroit, the grass wasn’t greener. I didn’t get the love that I got here with the fans, with the coaches, with the players and the grass wasn’t greener. I’ve learned I’m back home and I’m happy to be home. I should have stayed last year, to be honest. Where people love me, where the fans love me, where you guys love me. I should have stayed but I worked hard, made sure that I was productive enough. I should have stayed but I’m happy to be back.”
