The Minnesota Vikings went ahead and re-sign defensive end Everson Griffin on Sunday which means that they’ve effectively found their replacement for the exiting Jared Allen, who noted that he’s not returning to the Vikings in 2014.
But while the re-signing of Griffin is a nice replacement for Allen, it seems to have thrown the Vikings pursuit of free agent defensive end Michael Johnson out of whack a little. According to ESPN1500’s Darren Wolfson, the Vikings remain open to the idea of adding Johnson still, but league sources believe he’s heading elsewhere now.
Was told the #Vikings would be willing to do both Griffen & M. Johnson. But a couple league people now say to look for Johnson elsewhere.
— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) March 9, 2014
There is still a chance that the Vikings can land Johnson as a starter, despite the fact that they’ve sunk major dollars into both defensive ends they currently have. Brian Robison may be moved to outside linebacker in Mike Zimmer’s new defense, and that would allowJohnson to take up a spot on the defensive line as a starter.
It’s not a lock that he won’t be in Minnesota this season, but the Vikings are now no longer the front runners to add Johnson.