The Minnesota Vikings have further strengthened their roster in free agency, as they continue to enhance both their offensive and defensive units. According to a report by Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz on March 19, free agent cornerback Shaq Griffin is set to join the Vikings on a one-year contract worth up to $6 million.
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The team officially confirmed the signing shortly after. Craig Peters of Vikings.com highlighted Griffin’s extensive experience, with 79 starts and a total of 89 games under his belt, which will bring valuable depth to the team’s young cornerback group. Leading the pack is Byron Murphy, a former second-round pick from the 2019 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals, who is only 26 years old.
Shaq Griffin!!! pic.twitter.com/3sRzEqx7cg
— Apollo Texans (@ApolloTexans) November 12, 2023
Following Murphy, Akayleb Evans, a fourth-round pick from 2022, and Mekhi Blackmon, a third-rounder from 2023, saw considerable playing time at cornerback last season, as reported by Pro Football Reference. Andrew Booth, a second-round pick from the same draft class as Evans, followed closely behind in terms of snaps.
Shaq Griffin, aged 28, spent last season with both the Houston Texans and the Carolina Panthers. His time with the Texans ended in November when he was released, coinciding with a career-low 57% snap share on defense. Before last season, Griffin had consistently played less than 18% of his team’s special teams snaps throughout his career.
Upon joining the Carolina Panthers, Griffin’s involvement in special teams increased significantly to 43% of snaps. This trend continued when he moved to the Houston Texans, where he participated in 57% of special teams snaps. This shift in his role likely contributed to his departure from the Texans during the season.
Texans Cut Shaq Griffin Over Playing Time
According to KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson on November 29, Shaq Griffin had been a starter for the Houston Texans until former first-round pick Derek Stingley Jr. returned from injured reserve. Following Stingley’s return, Griffin saw limited playing time, primarily on special teams, while Stingley made two interceptions. The Texans decided to release Griffin mainly because he was no longer seeing defensive playtime, a significant shift for the former third-round draft pick from Central Florida. Sources indicated that the Texans aimed to utilize other players they deemed more valuable and experienced on special teams.
Griffin was waived by the Texans on November 29, and the Carolina Panthers claimed him off waivers on November 30.
Before joining the Minnesota Vikings, Griffin had signed a three-year, $40 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars ahead of the 2021 season but was released two years later as part of a cost-cutting measure.
According to Spotrac, Griffin has earned $34.3 million throughout his career. Spotrac also projected that he would receive a one-year, $2 million contract in free agency, significantly less than what the Vikings offered him.
Opposing quarterbacks have completed over 60% of their passes in Griffin’s direction in all but one of his previous seven seasons in the league. The exception was his Pro Bowl season in 2019.
Griffin has recorded seven interceptions in his career, with one interception last season after a two-year drought. His career-high came in 2020 when he intercepted three passes. The hope is that players like Blackmon, Booth, Evans, and even Murphy will make significant improvements this season, potentially reducing Griffin’s role to that of an insurance policy.
Vikings Begin New Era on Both Sides of the Ball After Free Agency
The Minnesota Vikings are embarking on unfamiliar territory under General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Head Coach Kevin O’Connell as they prepare journeyman Sam Darnold to take over from Kirk Cousins.
Meanwhile, Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores faces a similar challenge with significant changes to the team’s defensive lineup. The departure of top edge rushers Danielle Hunter, D.J. Wonnum, and Marcus Davenport to free agency, along with the exit of starting middle linebacker Jordan Hicks, has left holes to be filled.
To address these gaps, Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel are set to step in on the edges, with Van Ginkel bringing valuable experience playing under Flores. Additionally, Blake Cashman, who previously played alongside Greenard on the Texans, will be taking over Hicks’ role.
Despite the influx of new faces following free agency, the existing rapport among several players could prove advantageous for team chemistry both in the locker room and on the field.
