Everson Griffen Rumors: Ex-Vikings DE Has Seahawks Interest Amid Clowney Buzz

Blake SchusterMar 31, 2020

While the Seattle Seahawks appear to remain committed to re-signing defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, an opportunity may arise for Everson Griffen with the club should Clowney land elsewhere.

According to Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, the former Minnesota Viking has interest in joining the Seahawks. With Clowney expected to sign before Griffen, it may give Seattle a backup plan should it fail to reach a deal with Clowney.

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Griffen, 32, opted out of his deal with Minnesota in late February to pursue free agency.

In his final season with the Vikings, Griffen tallied 41 total tackles, eight sacks, one interception and two pass deflections while earning a Pro Bowl nod for the first time since 2017.

Now weeks into free agency, he's still looking for a new home. That's also the case with Clowney, albeit with different circumstances. The former No. 1 overall pick is reportedly looking for a deal starting at $20 million per season, while the Seahawks have offered $18.5 million, per Corbin Smith of Sports Illustrated.

That impasse could lead to Clowney moving on from Seattle should another team meet his demands. After trading Jacob Martin, Barkevious Mingo and a third-round pick in 2020 to the Houston Texans for Clowney last August, losing him after one season would be quite a blow to a Seahawks team at risk of falling behind in the NFC West.

Clowney, 27, racked up 31 total tackles, three sacks, one interception and four forced fumbles in one year with Seattle. There's no question it'd like to build on that.

If it can't, Griffen could find himself heading west. The USC product earned no more than $10 million per season in each of his last three years with Minnesota because of his contract structure. With Seattle still $14.6 million under the cap as of Tuesday, per Spotrac, there's room to get creative should Griffen become the organization's top priority.

Until then, both Griffen and Clowney continue to hold out for the right deal to come along.