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Just 1 Hour After Being Cut by the Seahawks, Pro Bowl Cornerback Star Reveals Desire to Join the Steelers – Willing to Take a Pay Cut Just to Suit Up Once as a Pittsburgh Steeler

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – 12/12/2025

The NFL is never short on drama, but few stories shifted 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 sent shockwaves through the league by openly declaring his desire to join the Pittsburgh Steelers — one of the most iconic franchises in NFL history. And what stunned fans the most wasn’t the interest itself, but the level of sacrifice he said he was willing to make.

Griffin, long admired for his intensity, leadership, and emotional presence on the field, was expected to draw interest from multiple teams. But the fact that he personally singled out the Steelers — a franchise built on defensive legacy and toughness — immediately changed the tone of the conversation. For a Pittsburgh team battling injuries and inconsistency in the secondary, Griffin’s interest arrives at a moment when veteran help could swing the momentum of a playoff push.

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

Multiple sources confirm that the Steelers have been exploring veteran options for their defensive backfield. Griffin’s postseason experience, versatility in both man and zone coverage, and physical playing style align perfectly with the identity Pittsburgh has maintained for decades. But it was his emotional declaration that vaulted the story from roster news to national attention.

“If Pittsburgh gives me the chance, I’m willing to take a pay cut and do whatever it takes,” Griffin said. “I just want one opportunity to step onto the field as a Steeler. To wear that black and gold, even once, would mean everything to me.”

Steelers fans erupted immediately. Social media lit up with calls for the front office to sign Griffin, praising not just his talent but his humility and hunger. For a franchise that values grit, loyalty, and players who embrace the grind, Griffin’s message resonated deeply with Steelers Nation.

Head coach Mike Tomlin has yet to comment publicly, but team insiders say Tomlin has always respected players who carry Griffin’s mindset — competitors who bring fire and purpose into every snap. With Pittsburgh standing at a critical point in the AFC playoff race, adding a veteran like Griffin could provide the stability and leadership the locker room desperately needs.

At 7–6 and facing a razor-thin margin in a crowded AFC race, the Steelers are searching for reliable defenders who can help anchor the secondary. Griffin’s willingness to sacrifice financially just for the chance to wear black and gold shows a rare level of commitment in today’s NFL.

Whether Pittsburgh ultimately makes the move remains uncertain. But one thing is already clear:
Shaquill Griffin isn’t chasing a paycheck —
he’s chasing a moment, and he believes that moment belongs in Pittsburgh.

Just Three Hours After Being Released by the Packers, 2× Pro Bowl Star Deletes Every Post About Green Bay After His Attempt to Take a Pay Cut to Stay Was Rejected — His Vow Never to Return Leaves Packers Nation in Sympathy .
Green Bay, Wisconsin – The offseason took an emotional turn for the Green Bay Packers when the organization decided to release veteran offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins as part of a salary-cap adjustment. But what happened just hours later turned the situation into one of the most emotional storylines of the week across the NFL. According to multiple reports, Jenkins — a two-time Pro Bowl selection and former All-Pro honoree — had attempted to negotiate with the team and even offered to take a pay cut in order to remain with the franchise that originally drafted him. The effort ultimately fell short as Green Bay chose to move forward with a roster reset, clearing nearly $20 million in cap space for the 2026 season. Just three hours after the release became official, fans began noticing something unusual on Jenkins’ social media accounts. Every post connected to his years in Green Bay — from locker room celebrations to photos wearing the iconic green-and-gold uniform — had quietly disappeared. Jenkins had been one of the pillars of the Packers’ offensive line since being selected in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Mississippi State. Throughout multiple seasons, he built a reputation for rare versatility, capable of playing guard, tackle, and center at an elite level, and was widely regarded as one of the most reliable and flexible offensive linemen in the league. At his peak, Jenkins was often described as Green Bay’s “secret weapon” on the offensive front. He protected multiple quarterbacks over the years and helped anchor an offense that consistently remained competitive during several playoff runs. His ability to seamlessly shift across nearly every position along the offensive line made him one of the most trusted players inside the Packers’ locker room. At first, the decision to erase those memories surprised many fans. But once reports surfaced that Jenkins had been willing to sacrifice financially just to remain with the team, the reaction across Packers Nation quickly shifted from shock to empathy. Green Bay will always hold a special place in my heart because it’s where my journey truly began. But sometimes you fight to stay somewhere and still realize that chapter has ended, and when that moment comes, the only thing you can do is walk away with respect for every memory that was built there. While Jenkins did not criticize the organization, sources close to the situation say the emotional weight of the release influenced his decision to remove the posts. What surprised many even more was the report that Jenkins has told people close to him that he does not plan to return to Green Bay at any point in his career, choosing instead to start an entirely new chapter elsewhere in the NFL. Yet instead of anger, the reaction from Packers fans has largely been one of understanding. For many supporters, Jenkins’ willingness to take a pay cut simply reinforced what they had long believed. He wasn’t just protecting the quarterback on Sundays.He was trying to protect a home he once hoped would last his entire career.