After missing out on Aqib Talib, who was traded by the Denver Broncos to the Los Angeles Rams, the New England Patriots have another cornerback prospect in veteran Richard Sherman. The Seattle Seahawks released the four-time Pro Bowler Sherman after seven seasons with the team. The Seahawks’ move was partly due to financial reasons as Sherman is set to earn $11 million salary. Seattle is also unsure if Sherman will return to top form after he underwent surgery on his ruptured Achilles. Sherman told KIRO-FM's Gee Scott that he has been released by the Seahawks, allowing him to go into free agency.
However, Sherman said there is also a possibility that he might return to the Seahawks at some point in his career. “They want me to understand that the door's open for me to return,” said Sherman, who understood that the move was simply to clear up salary cap space.
The release came as no surprise as NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported that Sherman himself declared that he didn't expect to be on the Seahawks roster in 2018. Sherman leads the league with 32 interceptions since entering the NFL in 2011 as a fifth-round draft pick. Per NFL Research, Sherman is also ahead in passes defended (99) and completion percentage allowed (47.4) during that period. Before he suffered the season-ending injury last season, Sherman was known for his durability, playing in every game since he was drafted in 2011.
Sherman interested in Patriots
With Malcolm Butler expected to leave the team, the Patriots need a new cornerback to play alongside Stephon Gilmore. The release could be timely as Sherman is also interested in playing for the Patriots, according to Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald. While Howe is unsure if the Patriots are Sherman’s top preferred destination, the cornerback is intrigued about playing for head coach Bill Belichick and alongside veteran quarterback Tom Brady.
When asked by Tom Pelissero of NFL Network about his preferred destination, Sherman said he wants to play for a team with a great quarterback and somewhere where he will be comfortable. In the last offseason, the Patriots inquired with the Seahawks about Sherman’s availability, but Seattle decided to keep the 29-year-old cornerback.
Patriots favorites to land Sherman
Doug Kyed of NESN.com said the Patriots are the favorites to land Sherman, per bookmaker.eu. The bookmaker said that the Patriots are +350 favorites to land Sherman while the Chicago Bears are +400. The rest of the field are the Oakland Raiders (+550), Los Angeles Chargers (+600), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+900), San Francisco 49ers (+1500), Cleveland Browns (+1500) and Atlanta Falcons (+1500).
