One day after being placed on the trade block, Everson Griffen is leaving the Dallas Cowboys
While the Dallas Cowboys had high hopes entering 2020, those dreams are crashing down. Perhaps the recent moves Tuesday could be the start of the fire sale found in the Lone Star State.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Cowboys have traded defensive end Everson Griffen to the Detroit Lions in exchange for a conditional 2021 sixth-round pick. Griffen signed a one-year, $6 million deal with the franchise following his departure from the Minnesota Vikings.
The Cowboys made Griffen available for trade following the embarrassing 25-3 blowout from the Washington Football Team Sunday. The 32-year-old’s production had failed to live up to his normal standards to begin what could only be described as a lost season with the Cowboys. Through seven games, Griffen tallied 20 tackles, three tackles for losses and 2.5 sacks.
Is this a good fit for Griffen in the NFC North?
Detroit might seem like a far-fetched team to implore on adding depth, but there’s no guarantee Matt Patricia’s squad is out of the playoff hunt. Following the come from behind 23-23 victory over the Atlanta Falcons, the Lions are sitting at 3-3 in the NFC North.
With a quality quarterback in Matthew Stafford, a stud receiver in Kenny Golladay, plus an offensive line that’s allowed only 14 sacks, the postseason dream is far from dead.
In the Motor City, the four-time Pro Bowler should be a quality No.2 pass rusher along with Trey Flowers. He also will act as a teacher for developing talent Romeo Okwara. Okwara is coming off his best game of the season where he finished with two sacks along with a forced fumble.
For Dallas, this is the first of several moves the team could make before Nov. 3 deadline. According to reports, defensive tackle Donatri Poe and cornerback Daryl Worley have also been made available for trade at the right price. Worley signed a one-year $3 million deal this offseason while Poe was added on a two-year, $8.5 million contract.
For Griffen, he’ll return to the north and face off against the Vikings twice before the season’s end. Dallas, meanwhile, might continue to do whatever they must to free up cap space to secure Dak Prescott for the future.