Cornerback Shaquill Griffin is leaving the Seahawks to sign with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
According to Michael Shawn-Dugar of The Athletic, Griffin is set to sign a three-year deal worth up to $44.5 million with $29 million guaranteed with Jacksonville. The deal allows Griffin to return to his home state of Florida where he attended college in Orlando at Central Florida.
Griffin’s departure in free agency leaves the Seahawks a bit thin at cornerback. Tre Flowers, D.J. Reed and Ugo Amadi are all set to return in 2021 but Griffin is leaving and Quinton Dunbar is a free agent and coming off knee surgery that ended his season. Linden Stephens, Jayson Stanley and Gavin Heslop also remain on the roster deeper down the depth chart. Marquise Blair will also return from a torn ACL that ended his season in September.
Griffin will have some familiar faces in Jacksonville. Running back Carlos Hyde and wide receiver Phillip Dorsett have also reached deals with Jacksonville after being with Seattle last season. Additionally, offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, passing game coordinator Brian Schottenheimer and special teams coach Brian Schneider are all a part of Urban Meyer’s coaching staff with the Jaguars.
Griffin’s brother, Shaquem, will reportedly be non-tendered as a restricted free agent, allowing him to hit the market as well. Shaquem indicated he may be following his brother to Jacksonville as well.
The Seahawks have yet to make any moves to add to their roster through the first day-plus of free agency negotiations. Running back Chris Carson and linebacker K.J. Wright top the list of unrestricted free agents for Seattle.
Photo Credit: MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 04: Shaquill Griffin #26 of the Seattle Seahawks breaks up a pass intended for Preston Williams #18 of the Miami Dolphins during the fourth quarter at Hard Rock Stadium on October 04, 2020 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)