Shaquem Griffin to sign one-year deal with Dolphins after three seasons in Seattle, report says

After meeting him earlier today, the Miami Dolphins sign former Seattle Seahawks linebacker Shaquem Griffin for a one-year contract, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Griffin brings a veteran presence to a group of Dolphins positions that lost outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy during the offseason.

Griffin had been available on the free market for months after the Seahawks refused to make him an offer to qualify as a restricted free agent. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported earlier this offseason that several teams were interested in signing Griffin, who appeared in 46 games in his three seasons in Seattle.

Griffin, whose brother Shaquill is a former Pro Bowl cornerback who signed with the Jaguars this offseason, was born with amniotic band syndrome, which resulted in the amputation of part of his left arm when ‘he was a child. An inspiration to many, Griffin played at the University of Central Florida, where he was a starter for three years. His success at UCF earned him a fifth-round draft pick in the 2018 draft. In his first two seasons in Seattle, Griffin recorded 16 tackles without missing a single game. Griffin’s greatest moment in the NFL came in the 2019 playoffs, when he recorded a sack from Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the Seattle Division playoff loss.

Griffin started the 2020 season with the Seahawks ‘practice squad, but was activated in the 53-man roster ahead of the Seahawks’ Week 3 victory over the Cowboys. In 14 games, Griffin recorded nine tackles (six solo) and three quarterback hits. He also recorded his first career regular-season sack, against then-Jets quarterback Sam Darnold in Seattle’s win in Week 14.

The Dolphins linebacker corps currently includes Griffin, Jerome Baker, Andrew Van Ginkel, newcomer and former pro Bowler Benardrick McKinney, and rookie first-round pick Jaelan Phillips. Baker and Van Ginkel’s play last season helped the Dolphins’ defense finish first in efficiency on third down, second in fewer touchdowns allowed and sixth in scoring. The success of the Dolphins ‘defense was instrumental in posting a 10-6 record for Miami in coach Brian Flores’ second season with Miami.