SEAHAWKS CUT CB SHERMAN
The Seattle Seahawks cut ties Friday with star cornerback Richard Sherman, who became one of the NFL’s premier cornerbacks during his seven seasons with the team.
The Seahawks informed Sherman early in the day that he would be released, and he confirmed the decision in a text message to The Associated Press. The move appeared to be building after he met with the team Wednesday to discuss his future. Sherman declined to comment after the meeting.
“Thank you for helping win championships, shape our culture and define success in Seattle,” the team said in a statement announcing the decision.
“We love you and your unwavering competitiveness, confidence and fierce passion for football and life. For that, you will always be a Hawk!”
Sherman was an overlooked fifth-round draft pick who went on to become a two-time all-pro who helped anchor a defense that was the NFL’s best for several years.
He will be 30 years old going into next season and coming off an Achilles tendon injury that cost him half the 2017 season.
But the biggest reason for his release was financial. Sherman was due $13 million for the 2018 season, and his release gives Seattle salary cap savings of about $11 million. Sherman was released with a “failed physical” injury designation.
Sherman issued a statement later Friday thanking the Seahawks for “taking a chance.”
“As this chapter comes to a close, I am looking forward to what the future holds,” Sherman said.
WR Evans signs monster deal.
FLA.» Buccaneers TAMPA, wide receiver Mike Evans accepted a five-year, $82.5 million contract extension that makes him the second-highest paid wide receiver in the NFL.
The deal includes $55 million guaranteed, and also makes Evans the highest-paid player with the Buccaneers at an average annual salary of $16.5 million. That’s second among wideouts, behind Antonio Brown’s $17 million.
Evans acknowledged the extension, which runs through 2023, in an Instagram post, noting that he will be “spending the next several seasons in Tampa Bay” with a singular focus on helping the Bucs win a Super Bowl title.
Eagles, Panthers trigger trade.
The Eagles agreed to trade wide receiver Torrey Smith to the Panthers for cornerback Daryl Worley, according to two people familiar with the transaction.
The trade won’t be officially announced until the NFL’s new work year opens Wednesday.
Footnotes.
The 49ers will not pick up the contract option on 34-year-old pass rusher Elvis Dumervil. … Former Jets star Mark Gastineau made an emotional plea to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to help former players like him who are dealing with football-related health issues. The 61-year-old Gastineau announced last year that he was diagnosed with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, and believes the conditions are the result of brain trauma from playing in the NFL for 10 seasons. … Pro Bowl long snapper Jake McQuaide agreed to a three-year contract extension with the Rams. … ESPN announced that Sean McDonough is moving off “Monday Night Football” telecasts and going back to calling college football games for ESPN. — The Associated Press