NFL free agency is basically a high-stakes game of musical chairs, and back in mid-2025, Shaquill Griffin was looking for a seat. Honestly, the buzz around the Shaquill Griffin Raiders workout felt like one of those "it just makes too much sense" moves that happens every June. You had a veteran Pro Bowl corner on the market and a Raiders secondary that looked, well, a little thin on experience.
The workout wasn't just a quick 40-yard dash and some backpedaling. It was a multi-day saga. Reports from Jeremy Fowler and Josina Anderson confirmed that Griffin’s visit to Las Vegas actually stretched longer than planned because of a delayed flight. That extra time gave him two full days around the facility during mandatory minicamp.
The Pete Carroll Connection in Vegas
One of the biggest reasons the Shaquill Griffin Raiders workout gained so much traction was the man holding the whistle. Pete Carroll had taken over a significant role in the Raiders' regime by then. If anyone knew what Griffin could do, it was the guy who drafted him into the "Legion of Boom" era in Seattle back in 2017.
Griffin spent four seasons under Carroll. He made a Pro Bowl in 2019. He was the twitchy, physical corner that fit the Carroll mold perfectly. When he showed up in Henderson for that workout, everyone assumed the contract was already being drafted.
The Raiders were looking for a mentor. They had young pieces like Darien Porter and needed someone who had seen it all—from deep playoff runs to the grind of being a high-priced free agent in Jacksonville. Griffin had the resume. He’d bounced from the Jaguars to the Texans, then the Panthers, and finally a solid 2024 stint with the Vikings where he played all 17 games.
What Actually Happened on the Field?
During the workout, Griffin had to prove that at 30 years old, he still had the vertical speed to mirror AFC West receivers. You’re talking about a division with track stars everywhere. He looked lean—reportedly around 194 pounds, which is the same weight he carried as a rookie.
But here is where the story takes a turn. Despite the visit extending into July 2025 and the obvious chemistry with the coaching staff, the Raiders didn't sign him immediately.
Why?
Football logistics are weird. The Raiders had just brought in Eric Stokes and had Darnay Holmes on the roster. Sometimes a "workout" is just a team doing their due diligence so they have a number on speed dial when an injury inevitably happens in Week 3.
The Seattle Plot Twist
While Raiders fans were waiting for the "Breaking News" tweet, Griffin ended up going back to his roots. Shortly after his time in Vegas, he signed a one-year, $3 million deal to return to the Seattle Seahawks.
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It was a bit of a homecoming. He started the 2025 season on the practice squad—which felt beneath a player of his caliber—but the Seahawks knew what they were doing. By October 12, 2025, Griffin was back in the starting lineup against the Jaguars. He racked up seven tackles in that game and looked like the vintage Shaq Griffin.
"It felt like old times," Griffin told reporters after that win. "The defense embraced me with open arms. I was going to go out there and play my heart out."
The Raiders' loss was Seattle's gain. Las Vegas eventually had to scour the waiver wire when their own injury bugs bit, but the opportunity to snag Griffin right after that summer workout had passed.
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Breaking Down the Workout Metrics
If you’re wondering what scouts were looking at during that Shaquill Griffin Raiders workout, it comes down to three specific things:
- Hip Fluidity: Can he still flip his hips and run with a 22-year-old receiver without losing a step?
- Press Technique: Griffin’s bread and butter has always been his ability to disrupt routes at the line of scrimmage.
- Medical Clearance: After his 2022 season in Jacksonville was cut short by injury, teams are always hyper-focused on his long-term durability.
He passed the "eye test" in Vegas. He clearly had the juice left. The fact that he went on to become a key contributor for Seattle in late 2025 proves the Raiders' scouts weren't wrong about his talent—the front office just didn't pull the trigger on the cap space.
Actionable Insights for Raiders Fans
- Watch the Waiver Wire: The Raiders' interest in Griffin shows they prefer veteran "press-man" corners. If the secondary struggles this season, look for them to target similar archetypes—players over 29 with Pro Bowl experience.
- The Carroll Factor: Any former Seahawk defender who hits the market is a potential Raiders target as long as Carroll is involved in the front office.
- Draft Priority: Since the Raiders passed on a veteran like Griffin, expect them to be aggressive in the early rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft to find a long-term solution at the CB2 spot.
Ultimately, the Shaquill Griffin Raiders workout serves as a reminder that in the NFL, a "great visit" doesn't always equal a contract. It’s about timing, leverage, and sometimes, a player just wanting to go back to the place where it all started.