Seahawks' Ongoing Talks With Everson Griffen Are Really About Jadeveon Clowney

The Minnesota Vikings struck gold once drafting defensive end Everson Griffen in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. But after ten seasons with the team, Griffen is now on the open market, and appears to have a suitor.

NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported that the Seattle Seahawks have been in communication with Griffen recently. While he notes that the Seahawks haven't been talking with Jadeveon Clowney, you best believe they're trying to make the former 2014 first-overall pick jealous.

Even though Griffen would be a great addition to Seattle's defensive line, it doesn't seem like the organization is truly in a hurry to sign him. It's like they're holding out hope that Clowney will come crawling back to them.

Clowney hit the open market at the end of the 2019 season with hopes of becoming the highest-paid edge rusher in the league, despite his injury issues and inability to crack double digit sacks in a season. Unsurprisingly, no team has been willing to meet his demands, and recent reports indicate that he's in no hurry to sign. Rather, Clowney will wait until a team panics and ultimately caves in to gift him with his sought-after lucrative contract.

We've seen this a lot in the NFL -- a team wants to retain an impending free agent, but are unwilling to break the bank for him. So, the organization will instead talk with a position player on the open market to get the in-house free agent to feel jilted. You best believe that general manager John Schneider is talking with Griffen to get Clowney to agree to a team-friendly deal.

Don't' be surprised to hear that Clowney and the Seahawks have reopened negotiations in the coming weeks.