ESPN REPORT: Ex-Jacksonville Jaguars Superbowl Player Signs New Contract With Minnesota Vikings
NFL veteran cornerback Shaquill Griffin signed a new contract with the Minnesota Vikings. Griffin started the 2023 season with the Houston Texans before signing with the Carolina Panthers. He has also played for the Seattle Seahawks and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Shaquill Griffin began the 2023 season with the Houston Texans, quickly becoming their starting cornerback. During that time, he was having his best season to date in terms of yards allowed per reception to his side of the field, per PFF.
That is why it was surprising to many that the Texans waived Griffin after their Week 12 loss to the Jaguars. Griffin was then claimed off waivers by the Carolina Panthers.
The Panthers largely made this move to add some cornerback depth while they managed multiple injuries to the secondary. It was also a cheap move, as the Texans had to pay $2.8 million in guaranteed money when they cut Griffin. That enabled Carolina to spend just under $400K on the veteran cornerback, per Over The Cap.
Griffin only played 77 snaps for the Panthers, allowing three catches and 67 yards during that time.
Shaquill Griffin was drafted in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks. He established himself as a disruptive defender, recording 40 pass breakups during his four seasons with the Seahawks, per PFF. He also logged six receptions and was selected for the Pro Bowl in 2019.
The Seahawks let Griffin walk after his rookie contract expired. He was then signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars, who originally signed him to a three-year contract. He entered the Jaguars locker room during that tumultuous Urban Meyer season, but still recorded his best season in terms of yards allowed.
His 2022 season was cut short due to injury. Griffin only played five games before being shut down the remainder of the season. After the season, he was cut by the Jaguars as a salary saving move. The Texans then signed him on a 1-year, $3.5 million contract.
In a surprising turn of events, the Jacksonville Jaguars shook up the NFL landscape with their recent acquisitions in the 2024 off-season. One that stands out is the acquisition of wide receiver Gabe Davis, which, at first, seemed like a great grab. It looked like the Jaguars were going to pair him up with Calvin Ridley and that was going to be Jacksonville’s top wide receiver duo, but the Tennessee Titans snatched him up off of free agency with a four-year $92 Million dollar contract. Leaving many scratching their heads, what does this mean for the team’s offensive strategy going forward?
Jacksonville Jaguars Filling The Void In The Right Roles
The departure of Clavin Ridley undoubtedly left a void in the Jaguars’ receiving corps, and the decision to bring Gabe Davis in suggests maybe they weren’t going to pair the two and instead the team was actively seeking to fill that gap. Which, honestly, they did a pretty good job. How he will integrate into this Jaguars offense remains to be seen, but one thing is certain, all eyes will be on him as he strives to prove his worth on his new team.
Meanwhile, the quarterback situation is a whole different story and adds another layer of intrigue to the team’s offseason narrative. With the arrival of Mac Jones to go with Trevor Lawrence, the two highly-touted quarterbacks with loads of potential still have to prove themselves. It’s ironic because Jones and Lawrence used to be rivals and compete against each other in college and now they have to compete for the same role on the professional stage to see who will emerge as the starter come fall time.
The outcome of this competition will not only shape the Jaguars’ immediate future but also serve as a fascinating subplot in the ongoing saga of who is going to lead this team to a Super Bowl, or at least a deep playoff run. Amidst the flurry of activity, the Jaguars also made significant moves to bolster other areas of their roster.
