Everson Griffen says he’s leaving Vikings, Stefon Diggs thanks fans in Instagram posts

In a post on Instagram, Vikings Pro-Bowl defensive end Everson Griffen announced that he will not return to the team next year.

The post thanks fans saying, "[I] could not be more grateful for the unconditional support and love I received from SKOL Nation."

View this post on Instagram

When I came to Minnesota as a fourth-round pick out of USC, I had no idea how much my life would change over the next 10 years. I realized my dream of playing in the NFL, went to four Pro Bowls and came within one game of playing in the Super Bowl in front of the best fans in the country. More importantly, I became a husband, a dad, and met teammates who became brothers for life. I also stumbled a few times on my journey and could not be more grateful for the unconditional support and love I received from SKOL Nation. While it is with a heavy heart that I say goodbye, I leave Minnesota in the best physical and mental shape I have ever been and have many Pro Bowl seasons to come! Wherever my next stop is, I will always be grateful to and cheering for the Vikings. Thank you all for the love, support and memories.

A post shared by Everson Griffen (@eversongriffen) on Mar 20, 2020 at 10:55am PDT

Griffen was a fourth-round pick for the Vikings in the 2010 draft out of the University of Southern California. In his 10 years with the Vikings, Griffen was selected to four Pro Bowls and was second-team All-Pro in 2017.

While Griffen did not say where he will end up, he stated in the post, "While it is with a heavy heart that I say goodbye, I leave Minnesota in the best physical and mental shape I have ever been and have many Pro Bowl seasons to come! Wherever my next stop is, I will always be grateful to and cheering for the Vikings. Thank you all for the love, support and memories."

Shortly before Griffen’s post, recently-traded wide receiver Stefon Diggs also made a post on Instagram, thanking Vikings fans for their support over the years.

In his post, Diggs said: "Your chants, cheers and unyielding support was everything to me. Thank you! The past five years were truly an amazing experience. To say we made memories would be a huge understatement. The state of Minnesota and the entire Vikings organization will always hold a special place in my heart because it is where my NFL story began."

View this post on Instagram

Skol Nation just know that I gave all my heart, soul and body every time I stepped on the field. Your chants, cheers and unyielding support was everything to me. Thank you! The past five years were truly an amazing experience. To say we made memories would be a huge understatement. The state of Minnesota and the entire Vikings organization will always hold a special place in my heart because it is where my NFL story began. To the entire Wilf family, I’d like to thank you, again, for believing enough in me to draft me. To my coaches and personnel staff, thank you for everything. I’ve learned so much from each of you about the game I love. To my teammates- -my brothers, thanks for the unending support. I’ll always have your backs!! Much Love Skol Nation!!!

A post shared by SD (@stefondiggs) on Mar 20, 2020 at 9:03am PDT

Diggs was traded to the Buffalo Bills on Monday for a first, fifth and sixth-round pick in the 2020 draft as well as a fourth-round pick in 2021. The Vikings included a 2020-seventh round pick in the trade with the Bills.

Vikings trade wide receiver Stefon Diggs to the Buffalo Bills for draft picks