Shaquill Griffin returns to the Seattle Seahawks in June 2025. Discover how the veteran CB's one-year deal will bolster the secondary and fit the new era.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
In a move that feels both smart and sentimental, the Seattle Seahawks have brought a familiar face back to the Pacific Northwest. The team announced Thursday the signing of cornerback Shaquill Griffin to a one-year deal, reuniting the 12s with a former Pro Bowler and key member of the 'Legion of Boom's' final days. The move addresses a clear need for veteran depth and signals that even amid a youth movement, there's always room for a Seahawk to come home.
$67.44 million. That's the staggering amount of dead cap the Seahawks are carrying, the third-highest figure in the entire NFL.
The prodigal son returns. Shaquill Griffin is once again a Seahawk, inking a one-year, $3 million contract that could climb to $4 million with incentives. After departing in 2021 and making stops in Jacksonville, Houston, Carolina, and Minnesota, Griffin is back where it all began. His return couldn't be more timely, filling the veteran void left by Artie Burns' departure to Miami. While Josh Jobe and promising rookie Nick Emmanwori are slated for significant roles, Griffin provides invaluable insurance, 53 games of starting experience in a Seattle uniform, and a deep understanding of the culture Mike Macdonald is building upon.
Griffin's modest contract was made possible by the team's healthy cap situation, but that number comes with a massive asterisk. Seattle currently boasts the ninth-most cap space in the league with $31.21 million. However, they are also navigating a league-high $67.44 million in dead money. This financial hangover is primarily the result of moving on from massive contracts, with the DK Metcalf trade alone accounting for a $21 million hit. Add in the ghosts of contracts past for Dre’Mont Jones ($14.07M), Tyler Lockett ($13.89M), and Geno Smith ($13.5M), and you see the true cost of hitting the reset button. Still, with cash to spend, rumors continue to swirl around names like Amari Cooper and Asante Samuel Jr.
Speaking of DK Metcalf, circle your calendars for Week 2. In what promises to be one of the most dramatic storylines of the season, the Seahawks will host the Pittsburgh Steelers for what is being billed as Aaron Rodgers' final game against Seattle. Rodgers, who has tormented the Seahawks for years—most infamously in the 2014 NFC Championship—announced his one-year stint in Pittsburgh will likely be his last. The ultimate twist? His new top target is none other than former Seahawk superstar DK Metcalf. The prime-time matchup will be dripping with narrative, offering Seattle a chance to get the last laugh against their longtime nemesis.
While the team prepares to face ghosts of the past, the future looks incredibly bright. Renowned draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. recently bestowed a coveted 'A' grade upon the Seahawks' 2025 draft class, heaping praise on GM John Schneider and Coach Macdonald. The class is headlined by potential day-one starters like North Dakota State offensive lineman Grey Zabel and South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori, who will now get to learn alongside a veteran like Griffin. With high-upside players like Miami tight end Elijah Arroyo and Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe also in the fold, this draft class is expected to be the engine that powers the next era of Seahawks football.
It's a fascinating time for the Seahawks. The front office is deftly managing the financial ghosts of a previous era while making savvy, targeted moves to compete now. The return of a fan favorite like Griffin boosts the locker room and the secondary, the promise of a final showdown with Rodgers and Metcalf looms large, and the foundation laid in the draft has experts buzzing. With over $30 million still in the bank, don't be surprised if John Schneider isn't done making moves before training camp begins.
