Vikings Reportedly Sign Veteran Safety Michael Griffin
The Minnesota Vikings went into this offseason widely believed to be in need of some safety help across from Harrison Smith. Veteran safety Michael Griffin appears to be in the mix to fill that role.
Despite the impressive contract numbers they gave 2015 Andrew Sendejo a few days ago, everyone believed they would seek more outside help via free agency or the NFL Draft. Griffin (age 31) appears to be signing that aims to bring more serious competition to Mankato after the Vikings missed out on blue chip possibility George Iloka.
The #Vikings are signing S Michael Griffin, formerly of the #Titans, source said.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2016
The #Vikings talked to the agents of George Iloka and Reggie Nelson, but Iloka is headed back to Cincy. Minnesota chose Michael Griffin
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2016
Griffin played nine seasons with the Titans and has played in 141 games throughout his career. Once one of the league’s premier safeties, Griffin has seemingly regressed in recent years. Whether or not he finds new life in Minnesota remains to be seen, but this signing shouldn’t cause the Vikings to ignore the safety position in the upcoming Draft. Rather, it gives them some flexibility in how to deal with it.
Griffin has 25 career interceptions, 60 defended passes, and 763 tackles on his resume as prepares to compete for a job in Minnesota.
Griffin was released by the Titans a month ago so he is not a true “unrestricted free agent” and will not count against the Vikings in the compensatory pick formula, though they are unlikely to net any compensatory picks from this offseason anyways at the rate they are going.
One year, $3 million for S Michael Griffin to head to the Vikings after nine years in Tennessee.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 9, 2016