Seahawks playing surprising musical chairs with CB Shaquill Griffin?

Though released by the Seattle Seahawks, general manager John Schneider expects Shaquill Griffin to be a part of the team this season.

49ers wide receiver Richie James (13) makes a catch against Seattle Seahawks cornerback Shaquill Griffin (26) | Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

With this roster essentially set since the start of training camp, there weren't many shockers when the Seattle Seahawks made their moves ahead of this week's NFL cutdown deadline.

Receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling is gone, and already signing with Seattle's Week 1 opponent in the San Francisco 49ers. CBS Sports named Valdes-Scantling as one of the surprising cuts in the league over the past few days.

MORE: Seahawks make surprising veteran cut to clear room for claimed CB

But the biggest move may have been a subtle one: Releasing cornerback Shaquill Griffin in favor of a former Los Angeles Rams player signed off waivers in Derion Kendrick.

After a productive season with the Minnesota Vikings last season, Seattle signe Grifffin to a one-year contract worth $4 million. But then he missed the early part of training camp aand the preseason opener dealing with an off-field, personal matter.

We just heard from Seahawks GM John Schneider. More notes to follow, but he said they plan to bring CB Shaquill Griffin back after releasing him today. He didn’t specify in what capacity.

“He’ll stick around for sure,” Schneider said. “We love Shaq.”
— Brady Henderson (@BradyHenderson) August 27, 2025

He never caught up.

In a twist, however, general manager John Scheider is all but promising Griffin will be back with the Seahawks. Potentially on the practice squad?

MORE: Big changes coming to Seahawks' 53-man roster after waiver claim, LB signing

Either way, Griffin not be a Week 1 starter is a bit of a surprise after Seattle's investment. Seattle faces the 49ers and Scantling-Valdez Sept. 7 at Lumen Field.

Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider looks at his phone during the fourth quarter against the New York Giants | Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

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