Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll hinted that the team is willing to listen to any trade offers for their players, including veteran cornerback Richard Sherman. During an interview with reporters at the NFL Combine, Carroll said that the upcoming offseason is huge for the Seahawks. “Sometimes you've got to make some tough calls to get that done and put it in the right order,” Carroll said. Carroll added that this time of year, “we are listening to everybody about everything, like we do. However, he did not mention something specific. Carroll also revealed that Sherman underwent surgery on his other Achilles in the last few weeks, but said that the cornerback could return in time for training camp.

Despite the surgery, Carroll said Sherman is working like “crazy” as he plans to come back strong after missing much of 2017 with a ruptured Achilles.

Seahawks yet to inform Sherman about their plans

The big question is, if Sherman will return next season in a Seahawks uniform or with other teams. According to Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald, the Seahawks have yet to inform Sherman about their plans for him for next season. Howe said the Seahawks could monitor Sherman’s recovery from his injury and if he passes a physical, which could open possibilities for a trade discussion. If they cannot trade Sherman, Howe said the team could release him. A trade or release could pave the way for Sherman to join the New England Patriots.

Last offseason, the Patriots inquired about Sherman’s availability, but the Seahawks decided to keep the 29-year-old cornerback. Howe said Sherman welcomed the idea of joining the Patriots then. That outlook hasn’t changed as Howe said Sherman is willing to join the Patriots if the Seahawks go in another direction. Currently, the Patriots have around $15 million in cap space, but they could create more room to accommodate Sherman’s $11 million salary for next season.

Sherman must prove that he’s healthy

Currently, the Patriots are shallow at cornerback with just Stephon Gilmore and Eric Rowe as possible starters in their depth chart while Malcolm Butler is expected to leave the team after he was benched in Super Bowl LII. The Patriots could work out a trade for Sherman if he’s healthy enough to play next season. Before he was sidelined for the last seven games after suffering an Achilles tear, Sherman was known for his durability. Since he joined the Seahawks in 2011, Sherman had played in every game.