Safety Michael Griffin to Sign One-Day Deal, Retire a Tennessee Titan
Former Tennessee Titans Pro Bowl safety Michael Griffin is signing a one-day contract to retire as a member of the Two-Tone Blue.
One of the best and most influential player of the modern Tennessee Titans era is back in Nashville to retire as a member of the Titans. Safety Michael Griffin, who played nine seasons with the Titans, signed a one-day contract on Monday afternoon in order to make it happen.
A college standout at the University of Texas, Griffin was drafted with the 19th pick of the first round by the Titans in 2007. Griffin immediately made an impact in Tennessee, picking off three passes in his rookie season and helping the Titans reach the playoffs. He followed that up with a seven-pick season in 2008 as part of one of the best defenses in the franchise’s history. The team went 13-3 that year and earned a first round bye in the playoffs.
Griffin made the Pro Bowl that season and returned to Hawaii in 2010, after a four-interception season to go along with two forced fumbles. Griffin remained a piece of the Titans’ secondary up until 2015, after which he was released to make way for an incoming Kevin Byard.
Griffin ended up signing with the Minnesota Vikings in 2016, but was placed on IR before the season and was released from it in late September. He caught on with the Carolina Panthers and played in 10 games for them, filling in as a rotational safety.
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During his nine-year career in Nashville, Griffin amassed 25 interceptions, 59 pass deflections, 11 forced fumbles, 7.0 sacks and 569 tackles.
Though Griffin’s play deteriorated late in his career, with too many missed tackles and bad angles in coverage sources of frustration for the Titans fans, there’s no denying what he brought to the team throughout his career was an immensely positive impact. In addition to being a ball-hawking safety during the first six years of his career, Griffin was also a big part of the Nashville community off the field.
Regardless of Griffin’s final few poor seasons, Titans fans should cherish the fact that the team went from one outstanding, Pro Bowl free safety to an All-Pro one. It was a seamless transition, and the passing of the torch was completed quickly. Griffin would be proud of what Byard has become. There are shades of Griffin in many things Byard does. It would’ve been a treat to see them both play together in their prime.