Nearly five years after his last NFL snap, 38-year-old former Dallas Cowboys edge rusher Everson Griffen is making one last push for a return to the league by publicly appealing to the Cowboys owner, Jerry Jones, for another opportunity.

During an interview with Josina Anderson on the Exhibit podcast on July 27, the four-time Pro Bowler expressed confidence that he could still compete against any player in the League while responding to Anderson's question about how he would convince Jones to sign him.

"This is the best version of myself you're gonna get right here, 38, that's all,” Griffen said during an episode of the Exhibit podcast on July 27, “I know what I could do. You put me through a workout I can show you. You can bring in a little rookie, bring in a little veteran in the workout, and within 3 months we can see who's going to win and that's it."

Griffen further revealed in the podcast about his desire to return to the NFL despite not having played a single game since 2021.

“My desire is to play again," Griffen said during the Exhibit podcast (YouTube @theexhibit). "I know the things that I’ve done; I’ve burnt bridges, but I feel like that’s reparable... Give me 2 1/2 months & I’ll be back in shape.”

Griffen previously played for the Cowboys during the 2020 season before being traded to the Detroit Lions midseason, after appearing in seven games for the Cowboys.

He had recorded 20 tackles (10 solo), three tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and one pass defended during his tenure with the Cowboys.

Griffen has recorded a total of 85.5 sacks, 403 tackles (286 solo), and 20 passes defended across 12 seasons in the NFL. He played primarily with the Minnesota Vikings for 11 seasons and the Lions and Cowboys for one season.

While Griffen insisted that he is healthy and just 15 sacks away from the 100-sack milestone, one NFL analyst believes his chances of making a comeback have already passed.

NFL analyst makes harsh reality clear on Everson Griffen's comeback chances

Mike Moraitis of Sports Illustrated believes that Griffen's hopes of returning to the league are unrealistic, citing his lengthy absence from the NFL and recent legal issues.

"It's hard to imagine Griffen getting another opportunity in the NFL," Mike Moraitis of Sports Illustrated wrote in his article. "Then, there's Griffen's most recent run-ins with the law, which will obviously give teams further pause considering his lengthy history of legal issues."

Moraitis pointed out that it will be "extremely difficult for him to come back" as his last snap was with the Minnesota Vikings in 2021.

Moraitis believes that Griffen has been out of the game so long that he is nearly eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, while also pointing out his inconsistency due to off-field issues.

Should Jerry Jones consider Griffen's plea, or would signing the veteran edge rusher be too much of a risk? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Archana Ramakrishnan

Edited by

Rudra Dubey