Richard Sherman informed by Seahawks he's been released, reportedly has eyes set on new team
The dismantling of the Seattle Seahawks’ dominant “Legion of Boom” defense continued Friday.
The Seattle Seahawks turned what had been speculation into fact with word the team was releasing cornerback Richard Sherman.
Seahawks releasing Richard Sherman: https://t.co/Y2ZcXQ39BB pic.twitter.com/ZhFw83kexF
— NFL (@NFL) March 9, 2018
The news comes just days after the team traded Pro Bowl defensive end Michael Bennett to Philadelphia. Meanwhile, the football futures of defensive end Cliff Avril and safety Kam Chancellor remain in flux because of injuries.
Sherman knew before Friday’s announcement that he would be released, the cornerback told KIRO-FM radio in Seattle.
“We’ve had conversations and they told me that they’re going to allow me to go into free agency but they want me to understand the door is open for me to return,” Sherman said in an interview that aired Friday morning. “They’re just trying to do what they need to do to clear up space and give me, and them, the best chance at free agency. I’ve got to appreciate and respect that.”
Sherman was entering the final year of a four-year, $56 million deal. His cap hit would have been $13.2 million for the coming season. By releasing him prior to the start of the league’s new year, the team saves $11 million in cap space.
In addition to the salary cap implications, Sherman is coming off a season that was cut short after he ruptured his Achilles tendon in November. He still hasn’t been cleared by doctors to resume running.
Sherman went on Twitter Friday morning to disagree with those who say he’s no longer the player he once was.
“Cause ppl talking to me like I’m slowin’ down. Opinions over statistics, of course” pic.twitter.com/nonbj7rQDA
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) March 9, 2018
News of Sherman’s release was not necessarily a surprise. The bigger question now is where he will play this season.
One report suggests Sherman, who will be 30 when the season begins, would love to land in New England.
“He absolutely wants to play for the Patriots,” Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald said Thursday on NBC Sports Boston. “I can’t tell you it’s his No. 1 option, but I can tell you since last year that Richard Sherman has been absolutely intrigued about playing for the Patriots.”
Other teams that are believed to be potential landing spots for Sherman include San Francisco, which has plenty of cap space available and would offer Sherman — who played his college football at Stanford — a chance to return to the Bay Area; Oakland, which would also give Sherman a chance to return to the Bay Area while playing for new coach Jon Gruden; and Kansas City, which recently traded cornerback Marcus Peters.
As for Sherman, he told NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero what he’s looking for in his next team.
“Looking for a great fit,” Sherman said. “A team that has a great QB. Looking for somewhere I will be comfortable.”
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