5 biggest moves Jaguars GM Trent Baalke made in 2021

Jaguars GM Trent Baalke’s biggest move No. 3 – Signing Shaquill Griffin.

Giving cornerback Shaquill Griffin a three-year, $45 million contract in free agency was one of the most scrutinized moves the Jaguars made this offseason. After all, he was never a shutdown cornerback during his tenure with the Seattle Seahawks and had just registered five career interceptions.

Moreover, Griffin was coming off a season in which he allowed nearly 70 percent of the passes thrown his way. Nevertheless, the Jags felt confident they got a difference-maker when they signed him, and based on how things have played out, they are surely pleased with their investment.

Griffin has mainly covered the opposing teams’ number one receivers and has generally performed while doing so. He’s posted a healthy Pro Football Focus 70.3 coverage grade in 2021 and has allowed just three touchdowns. He hasn’t registered an interception but hasn’t allowed many big plays. But as important as the 2019 Pro Bowl nod has been for the Jaguars on the field, his leadership out of it has been critical in the midst of a 2-13 season.

Losing can be taxing but, Griffin has become a veteran presence in the locker room and has done his best to keep his teammates level-headed. The cornerback knows turning things around won’t’ be easy but he’s willing to put in the works while pushing other players to give their best.