Everson Griffen blasts old coach Mike Zimmer before Week 9 matchup

Everson Griffen wasn’t too fond of being dubbed just a “good player” by his former Minnesota Vikings head coach

This Sunday will feature an NFC North showdown between the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions. Of course, this will be Everson Griffen’s first game against the team that allowed him to walk into free agency earlier this year. As it turns out, Griffen will have a chip on his shoulder entering the big contest.

During a press conference on Thursday, Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer made reference to his former edge rusher, calling him a “good player.” Griffen was angered by this comment, tweeting that he feels he deserves more praise because he gave everything to the Vikings. (Follow the tweet thread).

The newest Lion is looking to pounce on the Vikings

As noted by Sam Ekstrom of Zone Coverage Minnesota in the thread above, Zimmer doesn’t exactly give heaping praise to his ex-players, but he does give them credit. In fact, he did so in the same press conference towards Lions running back Adrian Peterson. It seemed like it was by no means meant as disrespect, but Griffen took it as a slight, referencing what he gave the team through his 10 years in Minnesota.

In his ten seasons with the Vikings, Zimmer posted 355 total tackles, 176 quarterback hits, 74.5 sacks, 16 passes defensed and nine forced fumbles.

This offseason, the Vikings were hoping to bring Griffen back, but on a cheaper deal. After months of waiting on the open market, the edge rusher ultimately signed a one-year, $6 million deal with the Dallas Cowboys in August. His stint lasted all of seven games, as he was traded to the Lions in exchange for a conditional sixth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Through seven games with the Cowboys, Griffen recorded 20 total tackles, six quarterback hits, 2.5 sacks and one pass defensed.

Griffen is making his Lions debut on Sunday, and he’s looking to make an impact not just on his new team, but at the expense of his former team.