All eyes turn to Week 9 when Everson Griffen and Adrian Peterson face the Vikings
Everson Griffen might have enjoyed his stay in with the Dallas Cowboys, but the Detroit Lions might have him licking his chops in the form of revenge.
On Tuesday, the former Minnesota Vikings star pass rusher was traded from the Cowboys struggling defense to the Lions in exchange for a 2021 sixth-round conditional draft pick. The news was first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and later confirmed by the local Lions media members.
For Griffen, he’ll be playing for a team that he used to terrorize as a member of the Vikings standout pass rush. More importantly, he’ll be able to cause some revenge on the team that let him walk after a decade.
Well I just saw I missed a text from DE Everson Griffen ("Detroit") who was traded by the #Cowboys. Griffen said this on the phone to me just now: "I'm excited. I just got to process everything..I'm gonna reach out to Adrian (Peterson) at some point but I'm going home to pack 1/2
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) October 27, 2020
According to Josina Anderson, Griffen stated he was excited for a start with a new franchise. He’d also be making a quick call to former Vikings teammate and friend Adrian Peterson, who signed with the Lions earlier this offseason. The two played together from 2010-2016 until Peterson’s departure via free agency.
Revenge could be coming to Minneapolis with two former stars
While he likely won’t be able to suit up for Sunday’s Week 8 showdown against the Indianapolis Colts, Griffen will be active in the Week 9’s standoff in Minneapolis against his former team.
Because of COVID-19 protocols, Everson Griffen won't be available Sunday against the #Colts.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 27, 2020
That means Griffen's #Lions debut will be Nov. 8 against ... the #Vikings.
Griffen spent the first 10 seasons of his NFL career donning the purple and gold. During his span with the franchise, he became a four-time Pro Bowler while finishing fourth in team history with 74.5 sacks, 16 of which came as he faced Detroit.
Peterson immediately became the face of the franchise after being selected seventh in the 2007 NFL Draft. Surpassing the 1,000-yard mark seven times during his stay, Peterson was named a seven-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler during his days in Minneapolis. He also would become one of just seven rushers to surpass the historic 2,000 rushing yard mark in 2012 with 2,097.
Last year, Matt Patricia said that the Vikings' DE duo of Everson Griffen and Danielle Hunter was "just as good as anybody in the League."
— Chris Burke (@ChrisBurkeNFL) October 27, 2020
On Griffen: "He’s long, he’s a little bit stouter, a little bit thicker. Does a good job with the power off of the edge."
Next Sunday will be Griffen’s first time facing off against his former team while this will be Peterson’s second. Still, as legends of the organization, expect it to be a memorable moment entering U.S. Bank Stadium, this time with a chip on their shoulders.
After all, what’s better than winning with your team? Yep, beating the old one on their own turf.