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Just 1 Hour After Being Cut by the Seahawks, Pro Bowl Cornerback Star Reveals Desire to Join the Bears – Willing to Take a Pay Cut to Lead Chicago Back to Super Bowl Contention

Chicago, Illinois – 12/12/2025

The NFL is constantly churning out breaking stories, but few shifted direction as quickly as the one surrounding former Pro Bowl cornerback Shaquill Griffin on Thursday afternoon. Just one hour after being released by the Seattle Seahawks, Griffin once again dominated the headlines — this time by openly declaring his desire to join the Chicago Bears, one of the league’s most historic franchises now striving to reestablish themselves as true Super Bowl contenders.

Griffin, known across the league for his passion, leadership, and resilience, immediately became one of the most intriguing free agents available. But instead of waiting for multiple offers, he surprised analysts by specifically naming Chicago as his preferred destination. His interest arrives at a time when the Bears, in the midst of a major reset under head coach Matt Eberflus, boast an energetic, fast defense but still lack the veteran stability needed in the secondary.

Seahawks and Shaquill Griffin 'not in same ballpark' on money

According to team insiders, the Bears have already evaluated the possibility of adding a seasoned cornerback to bolster their late-season push. Griffin’s playoff experience, versatility in man and zone coverage, and physical, fearless playstyle fit seamlessly with Chicago’s defensive identity. But what elevated this story into national conversation was his emotional, heartfelt declaration.

“If Chicago believes I can help, I’m willing to take a pay cut and give everything I have,” Griffin said. “I want to help bring the Bears back into the Super Bowl race. This team has the heart, the fanbase, and the future — and I want to be part of that climb.”

The message immediately electrified Bears fans, who flooded social media urging the front office to sign Griffin. Many believe his leadership and experience could stabilize a defensive unit that has struggled with depth and inconsistency throughout the season.

Head coach Matt Eberflus has yet to comment publicly, but league sources note that the Bears have always valued defensive backs who play with emotion, discipline, and relentless effort — traits Griffin embodies. With the Bears sitting at 7–6 and the NFC playoff picture tightening, adding a veteran like Griffin could give Chicago both a tactical boost and the emotional spark needed down the stretch.

Whether the Bears ultimately move forward remains uncertain. But one thing has already become clear:
Shaquill Griffin isn’t searching for a new landing spot —
he’s searching for a mission, and he believes Chicago is where that mission begins.

San Francisco 49ers Face a Difficult Decision With a Key Veteran in the 2026 Offseason
SANTA CLARA, California – The San Francisco 49ers are facing one of the most difficult decisions of the 2026 offseason as the future of one of the team’s veteran cornerstones has become one of the most discussed topics. The issue this time is not about on-field performance, but rather the growing financial pressure. At the center of the situation is the contract of Trent Williams, who is still considered one of the best left tackles in the NFL. According to a report from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the 49ers must make a decision soon because Williams carries a cap hit of approximately $38.84 million for the 2026 season. The situation becomes complicated because parting ways with Williams is almost impossible financially. If San Francisco trades or releases him before June 1, the team would still be responsible for $34.15 million in dead cap, making any decision to separate extremely costly and risky. What is notable is that the issue has nothing to do with Williams’ performance. Even at 37 years old and turning 38 in July, he continues to perform at an elite level. According to PFF, Williams recorded a 91.5 overall grade, ranking third among offensive tackles across the NFL. In addition, Williams earned a 92.8 run-blocking grade, ranking second in the league. He played 996 offensive snaps during the 2025 season and allowed only four sacks all year. Those numbers clearly show that he remains one of the most important pillars of San Francisco’s offense. Because of that, the most frequently mentioned solution is a contract restructure. This move could help the 49ers reduce the 2026 cap hit by pushing some of the money into future years. However, Williams’ side could request additional guaranteed money, since his current contract no longer contains guaranteed salary for 2026. The situation becomes even more complicated because the 49ers also have several other plans during the offseason. The team hopes to retain wide receiver Jauan Jennings and is reportedly interested in free agents Alec Pierce and Romeo Doubs. These priorities increase the salary-cap pressure, making Trent Williams’ contract one of the most important decisions San Francisco must handle this offseason.