Richard Sherman trade rumors: Open to contenders only
If the Seattle Seahawks do trade Richard Sherman, he prefers to land in a similar situation.
In case of “everybody is available for the right price”, it was easy to dismiss initial rumors the Seattle Seahawks would trade cornerback Richard Sherman. But the talk is not going away, with Seahawks’ general manager John Schneider continual being very candid about the possibility of moving Sherman.
One team with rumored interest in Sherman, the New England Patriots, has reportedly stepped back now. Sherman has slowly softened to the idea of being traded, at least publicly, pointing to the realities of the business.
On Thursday, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reported the Seahawks would seek a “very good player plus a high draft pick” in a trade for Sherman. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler added Seattle is also initiating trade talks, and not just fielding offers, which is not surprising considering Schneider’s comments. Now, another element has been added.
Salguero appeared on PFT Live Friday morning, and offered the suggestion Sherman has taken an active role in trade talks.
"“Richard Sherman is talking to some people,” Salguero said. “He wants to play in Super Bowls or have a chance to compete in Super Bowls, so he has some degree of leverage as to where this train goes.”"
It’s no surprise Sherman wants to play for a contending team. The Seahawks fit that bill, but if staying is not an option there at similar situations out there. The Atlanta Falcons and the Oakland Raiders immediately come to mind, along with the Green Bay Packers and the Carolina Panthers.
Sherman has two years and a little over $22 million left on his contract, and he will surely want an extension from a new team. With him showing signs of decline last season, perhaps brought on by an unreported knee injury, giving up a player, a high draft pick and the prospect of a significant new contract may be a deal breaker for some teams.
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Sherman, or his agent, is clearly trying to get it out there that he has a say in where he may be traded to. The truth is quite different though. The combination of a Super Bowl contender with the cap space to take on his current contract, the willingness to part with significant assets and then consider a contract extension is going to be tough to find.
The Seahawks still hold all the leverage, with Sherman only able to hold out if he is unhappy. It’s not the same circumstance, but ask Seahawks’ safety Kam Chancellor how holding out went a couple years ago.