Vikings DE Everson Griffen Named to 2016 Pro Bowl
Austin Belisle
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In Minnesota, Vikings fans have known for years that Everson Griffen would become a Pro Bowl player. He flashed the ability as a backup behind Jared Allen and shined as a full-time starter in 2014. Before his first season as the team’s premier pass rusher, Griffen signed a five-year, $42.5 million deal with the Vikings and has proven he’s worth every penny. This year, the six-year veteran recorded a team-high 10.5 sacks and earned the first Pro Bowl berth of his career, as announced on the team’s official website.
Griffen joins Adrian Peterson as one of two Vikings named to this year’s Pro Bowl roster. He replaces Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt, who will miss the game after undergoing offseason groin surgery. In addition to his double-digit sacks, Griffen recorded 44 tackles (34 solo), four defended passes, 30 quarterback hits, 14 tackles for loss, and one forced fumble.
Though he battled through a nagging shoulder injury in the second half of the season, Griffen managed to string together impressive performances late in the year. Against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC North “title game,” he recorded 6 tackles (five solo), two sacks, three tackles for loss, four quarterback hits and 1 forced fumble, which led to a game-changing Captain Munnerlyn return touchdown. That showing helped the Vikings clinch their first playoff berth since 2009. And in the team’s playoff loss to the Seattle Seahawks, Griffen was outstanding; he earned a +7.7 grade from Pro Football Focus and was the Vikings’ highest-graded player.
Earlier this week, Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer said Griffen may require offseason surgery on the shoulder, but he’ll likely delay the procedure for the January 31 game in Hawaii. Griffen became the first player ever in a Mike Zimmer defense to record double-digit sacks in back-to-back seasons, per ESPN Stats and Info. With Griffen locked up for another three years and talented pass rushers like Danielle Hunter and Brian Robison on the roster, Zimmer’s defense should continue to pressure the quarterback in 2016 and beyond.