Evaluating what an Everson Griffen contract could look like for Seahawks

With reports circulating that Jadeveon Clowney is unlikely to return to the Seahawks, it is time to turn to Plan B and that could include Everson Griffen.

Reports have come out saying that the Seahawks final offer to Jadeveon Clowney is a 2-year, $27 million contract. This figure is well below Clowney’s original and renewed asking prices of $20 million and $17 million per year. Per Mike Garafolo:

"“I don’t know if he is going to be back in Seattle. The chances are slim to none.”"

It appears that through the long and drawn out free agency process, the Seahawks may be getting impatient with the pass rusher and ready to move on. After all, they have already missed out on several other big-name defensive end free agents while waiting for Clowney to decide. It appears that it may be time for both to simply move on to the next best option. This brings me to Everson Griffen.

Griffen is a 10-year vet who has been a staple of the Vikings defensive line. He has been a beacon of consistency, poise and leadership throughout his tenure. In a cap saving move, the Vikings and Griffen mutually decided to void out the final two years of his contract. While the Vikings were more than willing to bring Griffen back at a lower cost. It appears that Griffen decided he no longer wants to play for the Vikings and is ready to move on to something new.

Through Griffen’s time in the NFL, he has amassed 74.5 sacks, 86 tackles for a loss, 176 QB hits and 4 Pro Bowl honors. His most recent Pro Bowl was in 2019 when he amassed 8 sacks, 11 Tackles for a loss, 24 QB hits, and 1 interception. His pressure rate last year was 11.7%, which was tied with Jadeveon Clowney for 13th best in the NFL (min of 350 pass rush attempts).

So, one may ask, what would a contract look like for the star defensive end? From what I can gather, Griffen is seeking something in the ballpark of a 2-year, $20 million contract. Meanwhile, Seattle is aiming to keep their price and guarantees lower. Something in the ballpark of a $2 year, $16 million contract with only $5 million guaranteed. Seattle needs to play this carefully after missing out on so many other defensive ends.

Here is my proposed Seahawks contract offer to Griffen

Terms: 2-years, $17.5 million
Avg Salary: $8.75 million
Bonus: $7.5 million
GT’d: $11.5 million
Cap hits by year:

• 2020: $8 million
• 2021: $9.5 million

This would allow Griffen to have more stability by increasing the guaranteed amount and increasing his average salary by $750k per year. Seattle would be pleased by keeping his cap hits for both seasons under $10 million. If for whatever reason the Seahawks and Griffen turn out to be incompatible, Seattle can release Griffen in 2021 and leave just $2.5 million of his salary in dead cap.

Through this structure, the Seahawks and Griffen would be happy and it would allow the Seahawks to sign a low-risk, high-reward player weeks after free agency began. If you haven’t already check out what an offer could look like for a Bengals star defensive end, Carlos Dunlap.