The Jacksonville Jaguars cut high-priced cornerback Shaquill Griffin on Wednesday in a move that has been expected move for months.
The veteran’s release will save the NFL team $13.1 million against the salary cap.
The 27-year-old Griffin tweaked his back early last season and was essentially benched before going on injured reserve.
He was scheduled to count $17.1 million against the cap next season, a number too big for a team doing everything it can to create enough space to sign a few key guys in free agency and afford its draft class.
Griffin should have plenty of options to land elsewhere. He has started 72 games over six seasons with Seattle and Jacksonville.
He had six interceptions for the Seahawks before signing a three-year, $40 million contract with the Jaguars in free agency in 2021.
He would have been guaranteed $5.5 million in salary and bonuses had he been on Jacksonville’s roster for the third day of the new league year.
The Jaguars seemingly lost confidence in him after he struggled early last season and moved forward with a starting tandem of Tyson Campbell and Darious Williams.