Unsigned Vikings CB to Meet with Seahawks
When rookie cornerback Khyree Jackson tragically passed away last summer and second-year defender Mekhi Blackmon tore his ACL at training camp, the Minnesota Vikings called on veteran Shaquill Griffin for fill-in duty.
Unsigned Vikings CB to Meet with Seahawks
Griffin performed admirably but doesn’t seem to be in Minnesota’s 2025 defensive plan. And with any luck, Griffin will land in Seattle, the team that drafted his brother, Shaquem, and him back in 2017 and 2018, respectively.
Shaquill Griffin Visiting Seahawks
Griffin will reportedly meet with the Seahawks brass this week about a free-agent contract.
Fox Sports‘ Jordan Schultz tweeted Monday, “Sources: Former Pro Bowl CB Shaquill Griffin is set to visit the Seahawks today. One of the top free agents still available, Griffin appeared in all 17 games for the Vikings last season — totaling 41 tackles, 2 INTs and 6 pass deflections.”
Many believed Griffin could be a “fallback” option for the Vikings if the 2025 NFL Draft went pear-shaped at cornerback or the team decided later this summer that it needed more cornerback depth.
A contract for Griffin in Seattle would obviously cancel that insurance policy. Griffin spent his entire rookie contract in Seattle, so there’s a reunion angle, too.
Sporting News’ Mike Moratitis opined on the would-be fit for Griffin in Seattle: “The Seahawks could definitely use more help in the secondary, as the team currently has Nehemiah Pritchett penciled in to start along with Devon Witherspoon and Riq Woolen. Griffin would amount to an upgrade over Pritchett, assuming he can come close to what he did in 2024.”
Griffin’s Role with 2024 Vikings
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah found Griffin in free agency 13 months ago, a depth signing to fortify Brian Flores’ defense.
Griffin responded by playing in all 17 games, starting 3 and tallying 41 total tackles, 2 interceptions, and 6 passes defended. The 29-year-old also banked a commendable 75.8 passer-rating-against, a mark consistent with his performance in the last couple of seasons.
Here’s his career resume to date:
- Seattle Seahawks (2017–2020)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (2021–2022)
- Houston Texans (2023)
- Carolina Panthers (2023)
- Minnesota Vikings (2024)
Seahawks’ CBs As-Is
As of April 7th, Seattle employs these cornerbacks on its depth chart:
- Tariq Woolen
- Devon Witherspoon
- Josh Jobe
- Nehemiah Pritchett
- Shemar Jean-Charles
- Damarion Williams
- Tyler Hall
Griffin would slide in around CB3 or CB4 if signed.
Who Replaced Griffin in Minnesota?
While Griffin returning to the Twin Cities cannot be wholly ruled out until he signs elsewhere, the Vikings have added two new cornerbacks from free agency: Isaiah Rodgers and Jeff Okudah. They figure to take over the “Griffin role” in 2025, and the Vikings coaching staff seems to have big plans for Rodgers, especially.
In addition to Rodgers and Okudah, Minnesota employs Byron Murphy Jr., who re-signed with the Vikings last month to a hefty extension, along with Mekhi Blackmon and Dwight McGlothern.
The Vikings’ cornerback room may be too crowded to entertain a Griffin sequel, particularly if Minnesota drafts a promising rookie CB or signs a veteran like Asante Samuel Jr.
Other Griffin Theories
Griffin is a mid-tier free agent, so his free-agent rumor mill hasn’t been too hot. Still, a Tampa Bay Buccaneers-themed website recently recommended Griffin to Tampa Bay.
“That brings Joe to pending Vikings free agent Shaquill Griffin, the 29-year-old St. Petersburg native and 2019 Pro Bowler out of the University of Central Florida. The 2017 Seattle third-round pick signed a huge free agent contract with the Jaguars in 2021. Then he bounced between the Texans and Panthers and last year found a home in Minnesota within the blitz-happy Brian Flores defense,” JoeBucsFan.com opined in February.
“Griffin played all 17 games (3 starts) and finished with 2 interceptions, 6 passes defensed and 41 combined tackles. Simply put, he can still play. Might Griffin want to come home?”
It’s worth noting that Griffin would reunite with his 2024 Vikings teammate Sam Darnold if he signs in Seattle. Darnold signed a three-year, $100.5 million deal with the Seahawks one month ago.
Griffin will turn 30 in July.
Vikings to Meet with Elite Draft Talent
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