Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen was tasked with the role of filling defensive end Jared Allen's shoes when the team re-signed him to a five year deal worth up to $42.5 million and allowed Allen to walk during the offseason.
So far, he's lived up to the deal through nine games. Griffen is tied for fifth in the NFL with nine sacks, while Allen has just 1.5 sacks this season with the Bears.
The two teams will meet on Sunday at Soldier Field, and Griffen admitted there was pressure to replace the future Hall of Fame defensive end this season.
"Of course you feel pressure," Griffen said. "I wouldn't be human if I didn't feel pressure. I just went out there and bought into this scheme and bought in what I have to get done and that's to help this team win."
Griffen has handled the pressure well, going back to the offseason when he bulked up. His presence has given the interior defensive linemen one-on-one matchups, which defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd has taken advantage of with three impressive performances before the bye week.
It took Griffen, in his fifth season, this long to have a breakout year because he served as the backup to Allen and defensive end Brian Robison prior to this season. Expressing frustration due to the lack of playing time, with just one start during his first four seasons, Griffen said rotating as the third defensive end wasn't exactly what he wanted to hear at the start of his career.
"It was hard for the first couple of years, three years, but I just learned how to be patient, humble and kept working on my craft," Griffen said. "I knew whenever I got my time to do it at a full time, this is what I imagined I'd be doing."
Though they're on opposite teams now, Griffen still keeps in touch with the "Cowboy" Allen. The Avondale, Ariz. native even reached out to Allen, who resides in the Phoenix area during the offseason, last week for restaurant recommendations during the bye week.
