The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Seahawks release Richard Sherman
The Seattle Seahawks cut ties on Friday with star cornerback Richard Sherman, who became one of the NFL’s premier cornerbacks during his seven seasons with the team.
The team informed Sherman early in the day 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 league’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 of 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 a salary cap savings of about $11 million.
Two people familiar with the trade say the Cleveland Browns have agreed to acquire quarterback Tyrod Taylor from the Buffalo Bills in exchange for a third-round draft pick.
The teams came to terms on the deal Friday, said the people who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because NFL rules prohibit trades from being announced next week when free agency opens and the league's new calendar year begins. Cleveland is sending its first pick in the third round to Buffalo, the sources said.
The Browns were expected to target a quarterback in free agency but instead have landed the dynamic Taylor, who will likely take over as Cleveland starter. The Browns are still expected to take a quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft. Jarvis Landry is leaving one bad offense for another one.
The Miami Dolphins agreed to trade the Pro Bowl receiver to the Cleveland Browns for two draft picks, two people familiar with the deal said.
The people confirmed the agreement to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because under NFL rules, no trade can be completed until Wednesday, the start of the league’s new year. One of the people said Miami will receive a draft pick this year and another in 2019, and neither is a first-rounder.
Miami finished sixthworst in scoring last season and went 6-10. Cleveland finished last in scoring and went 0-16.
The Browns were desperate to land a playmaker such as Landry, who will complement former Pro Bowl wide receiver Josh Gordon. Landry has been selected to three consecutive Pro Bowls and has 400 receptions, an NFL record for a fourth-year player.
“Y’all better understand (stuff) about to get SERIOUS… ON MY MAMA,” Landry tweeted after news of the trade broke.
Landry signed a $16 million, one-year franchise tag Thursday with Miami, clearing the path for a trade. The Dolphins began shopping him when the parties were unable to reach an agreement on a long-term contract.
He’s likely to get that extension from the Browns.
Tampa Bay’s Mike Evans has agreed to a fiveyear, $82.5 million contract extension that makes him the secondhighest paid receiver in the NFL.
The deal confirmed Friday includes $55 million guaranteed and also makes Evans the highestpaid player with the Buccaneers with an average annual salary of $16.5 million. That’s second among NFL receivers behind Antonio Brown’s $17 million.
Evans acknowledged the extension, which runs through 2023, in an Instagram post, noting he will be “spending the next several seasons in Tampa Bay” with a singular focus on helping the Bucs win a Super Bowl.
The 24-year-old entered the league as the seventh overall pick in the 2014 draft. He has topped 1,000 yards receiving in each of his four pro seasons, amassing 309 receptions for 4,579 yards and 32 touchdowns.