Versatile pass rusher Everson Griffen agreed to a five-year, $42.5 million contract to remain with the Minnesota Vikings.
Griffen, who lined up at defensive end in the nickel package but also saw spot duty at “under tackle” as an inside pass rusher in former coach Leslie Frazier’s defense, had 13.5 sacks the past two seasons (5.5 last season).
He is expected to expand his role under new coach Mike Zimmer, especially if the Vikings don’t retain veteran defensive linemen Jared Allen and Kevin Williams.
Griffen, 26, can earn up to $20 million in guarantees over the lifetime of the deal but has never been a full-time starter. He did not start a game last season while playing 60 percent of the Vikings’ defensive snaps.
“The money is always a good thing, but at the same time I finally get to be used,” Griffen told the Star Tribune. “Coach Zimmer, yeah, coach Zimmer is going to use me. The Minnesota Vikings are going to use me in every way possible. The only thing you guys can do is wait, just wait for this to erupt.”
Minnesota re-signed left defensive end Brian Robison last season but has shown interest in former Zimmer protege Michael Johnson, a 27-year-old defensive end with the Cincinnati Bengals who reaches free agency Tuesday.
Middle linebacker Jasper Brinkley is also expected to sign with the Vikings. Brinkley started at middle linebacker in 2012 in Minnesota but signed with the Arizona Cardinals last season.
Allen’s days as a disruptive force from the right side of the Minnesota defense likely ended over the weekend. His agent, Ken Harris, told media outlets that five teams are bidding for Allen and Minnesota was not among them.
Quarterback Matt Cassel agreed to a two-year, $10 million deal on Friday and, barring a surprise transaction, enters training camp as the Vikings’ starter.