Now that defensive end Everson Griffen announced he was leaving the Vikings this offseason, Ifeadi Odenigbo expects himself to be a starter.
Odenigbo was a good reserve for Minnesota in 2019. He had seven sacks and 23 combined tackles in limited time. Griffen likely being gone means that there’s an open position, and Odenigbo knows that a starting spot will almost certainly come with more reps.
“I’ve got to get used to playing 40, 50, 60 snaps (a game),” Odenigbo told Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press.
Odenigbo will have to compete for the defensive end spot that is opposite to Danielle Hunter. His competition consists of Anthony Zettel, D.J. Wonnum and Kenny Willekes. I would say Odenigbo is the favorite to win the starting spot among those players, but you never know.
Asked if he sees himself as the Everson Griffen replacement, Odenigbo gave a pretty straightforward answer.
“I’m taking that approach,” Odenigbo told reporters.
