It’s looking more and more like Richard Sherman has played his final game for the Seattle Seahawks.
The Seahawks likely will release the Pro Bowl cornerback on Friday, barring something unexpected, according to The Seattle Times. In fact, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported shortly thereafter that Seattle had informed Sherman of their plans to release him.
The Seahawks reportedly explored trade options for Sherman, but nothing materialized. His market seems to have been impacted by his $11 million salary and the season-ending Achilles tendon injury he suffered in November. Teams seemingly know he’s likely to be released.
The Seahawks reportedly would be open to re-signing Sherman at a lower salary, but it doesn’t appear he’s on-board with that idea. Sherman reportedly would rather move on with the opportunity to choose his next team as a free agent after balking at a new contract with Seattle that would have included a pay cut for 2018.
Sherman, who turns 30 later this month, is entering the final season of a four-year, $56 million contract extension he signed after the Seahawks won Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014. Releasing him would save the Seahawks $11 million in salary cap room for 2018.
Sherman, a fifth-round pick in 2011, has spent his entire seven-year career with the Seahawks. He’s earned four Pro Bowl selections and has been named First-Team All-Pro on three occasions and Second-Team All-Pro once.
The NFL’s new league year begins next Wednesday.
