Could Richard Sherman be heading out the door in Seattle? Why the Seahawks are not just taking calls.
The Seattle Seahawks are not simply answering inquiries about their star cornerback Richard Sherman, rather they are actively shopping him. The 29-year old is set to make 11 million next season with two years left on his contract.
This comes as a bit of a surprise as Sherman has been nothing short of solid for this accomplished Seahawks defense. Sherman heavily influenced the Seahawks defense that earned the title “Legion of Boom.” Sherman leads the league in interceptions since 2011 with 30 and has been a staple in the secondary.
These reports of increased discussions to trade Sherman have been confirmed by Seattle general manager John Schneider. Sherman doesn’t seem fazed by these reports however, insisting he does not think the talk has any traction. Via ESPN:
"After Schneider’s interview Wednesday, Sherman told MMQB.com: “Very little chance it happens, but both sides are listening. I honestly don’t have much more to say about it than what I’ve already said. We have a great relationship. … There is a lot of love and respect. There is no bad blood.”"
Trading Sherman could make sense for the Seahawks as they have more pressing needs in areas like their offensive line. Offloading Sherman’s hefty contract would give them more flexibility in allocating money to places of need. However, this would simultaneously create a hole in the secondary.
Next: Seahawks high demands for Sherman
The Seahawks have placed a rather high price tag on Sherman, believing he is worth at least a high draft pick. This asking price may scare off some suitors as trading an early draft pick for an aging player in a position in which youth is preferred is not a common occurrence. However, a team vying for contention could bring in the veteran Sherman to bolster their defense for a playoff push.