Seahawks release Sherman to cut costs
Cornerback becomes free agent, seeks team with ‘a great QB’ and ‘somewhere comfortable’
>> NEW YORK: Three-time All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman was released by the Seattle Seahawks on Friday.
Releasing Sherman, who spent seven seasons with the team, saves the team $11 million against the 2018 salary cap.
According to Sherman, who is acting as his own agent, the timing of the transaction was determined on Wednesday during a face-toface meeting with general manager John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll.
“Thank you for helping win championships, shape our culture and define success in Seattle,” the Seahawks said in a statement. “We love you and your unwavering competitiveness, confidence and fierce passion for football and life. For that, you will always be a Hawk!”
The move gives Sherman a head start on free agency. He can meet with and sign a contract to play for any team in the league.
Sherman told Tom Pelissero of NFL Network that he has a brief checklist for his new team: “Looking for a great fit. A team that has a great QB. Looking for somewhere I will be comfortable.”
NFL Network reported both sides are open to Sherman returning under a new contract if he cannot find the right deal in free agency.
“Wanted to allow me a chance to feel out free agency and allow them to have the financial flexibility going in,” Sherman told USA Today on Friday. “They want me to return.”
Sherman ended last season on injured reserve after surgery to repair a ruptured right Achilles. He had a second surgery to remove bone spurs in January.
Sherman, who will turn 30 later this month, was entering the final year of his contract.
As word spread of the Sherman meeting with Seahawks’ brass, Seattle defensive backs Jeremy Lane and Kam Chancellor went online to post tributes to Sherman.
Beverly Sherman, Sherman’s mother, also posted on Facebook, saying, “I am more than devastated to know that my son will no longer be a Seahawk.”
Sherman suffered the first significant injury of his career last season, tearing his Achilles on Nov 9 to end his season as well as a streak of 99 consecutive starts.
NFL Network’s Michael Silver reported on Wednesday that the Seahawks are “open for business” with safety Earl Thomas — also entering the final year of his contract — if a large trade offer comes along.
Seattle have already accelerated a restructuring of their defence this off-season, with Chancellor and Cliff Avril unlikely to return following neck injuries and Michael Bennett traded to the Philadelphia Eagles on Wednesday. Per Silver, the Seahawks plan to build around Russell Wilson on offence and Bobby Wagner on defence moving forward.
Meanwhile, Nick Foles is hearing many of the swirling off-season trade rumours, but the Super Bowl LII Most Valuable Player prefers not to talk about them.
Since guiding the Philadelphia Eagles to the franchise’s first Lombardi Trophy in February, Foles’ name has been a popular one in the NFL rumour mill.
With Carson Wentz, sidelined in December and for the play-offs with a knee injury that required surgery, due back in August or September, the Eagles could be dealing from a position of great strength if they choose to part with Foles.
“I don’t want to talk about anything,” said Foles. “It’s the off-season and I just want to stay out of it.”