Before signing free agent Stephon Gilmore earlier this month, the Patriots inquired on the availability Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Seattle head coach Pete Carroll admitted this morning the Seahawks had discussed Sherman in trade talks, but added a deal isn’t expected to take place.
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New England was clearly looking to add a clear-cut No. 1 cornerback to its secondary this offseason, and Sherman would have been just that. Sherman, 28, has two years left on a hefty four-year extension he signed in 2014, but because the Patriots would have only been responsible for Sherman’s base salary (and not his prorated signing bonus), Sherman would have been relatively affordable. His $11.431MM cap charge would have ranked just ninth among NFL corners in 2017.
For that price, Sherman would have represented a bargain, even though he’s coming off the worst season of his career, according to Pro Football Focus‘ grades. Given that he’s been one of the best corners in the league throughout his Seattle tenure, Sherman has set a high bar for his performance, so the “worst” campaign of his career amounts to finishing as the NFL’s No. 15 corner, per PFF. Sherman appeared in all 16 games for the fifth consecutive season, racking up four interceptions and 58 tackles while playing excellent run defense.
Trades involving stars of Sherman’s ilk don’t typically occur in the NFL, but the Patriots have shown a willingness to make deals this offseason. New England has already completed three deals this month, adding wide receiver Brandin Cooks, tight end Dwayne Allen, and defensive end Kony Ealy at the cost of draft pick compensation.
That would’ve been crazy
I know this isn’t fantasy football but what about a trade of gronk and butler for Sherman and jimmy graham. Pats just proved they can win without gronk and it takes talent to get talent…..
That’s fair.
I could see that.
Draft picks would have to go back to the Seahawks, like a 3rd and a 5th or 6th.
Sherman has 2 years and Butler has 1. Gronk has 3 years but hasn’t played in 16 games every season. In fact hes had injuries limit him to 8, 7, and 11 the past 5 seasons. Graham has played in at least 15 games 6 of his 7 years in the league and has 2 years left on his contract.
So the seahawks would be losing out in the deal by trading for a CB with 1 year less and a TE who has more injury history and committed to a year longer.
Thus, draft picks would have to head seattles ways for that sole purpose.
why would the Seahawks make that deal? Gronk is always hurt and neither improves the Pats.
Would have needed to send Gronk and Butler both to Seattle and maybe even a middle round pick too for Sherman.
That’s ridiculous. The trade above you makes more sense (gronk and butler for graham and Sherman)
Pats would probably rather have a mid round pick than Graham. He’s been crap since arriving in Seattle. But maybe Tom The Cheater could give him a 2nd life in NE?
Graham has been bad because of injuries and not being used in a way that played to his strengths. Wilson had to scramble a lot which forces players to basically play streetball and try to get open. Hard to adjust to that when your going from a pure pocket passer to someone who thrives in those scramble/pass opportunities.
He hasn’t adjusted. No one’s fault but his own. He’s had a few seasons to adjust.
Seattle doesn’t want to pay a corner top money in their defense, butler would have cost them more money for more years
Plus butler hasn’t signed his tender so they can’t legally even talk trades
I think thats slightly off. I know you can’t include a restricted free agent in a trade if they haven’t signed their tender, but they can probably talk trade, as in the Patriots and Seahawks as long as Butler kind of signs off on being traded. The Saints and Patriots discussed Butler (supposedly) in the Brandin Cooks deal, but couldn’t include him in a deal because he didn’t sign the tender. They have been still discussing a trade for him since Butler would be open to playing there and the Saints are unwilling to sign him to an offer sheet.
It’s actually a rule they wouldn’t be able to discuss a trade unless he signs his tender. Butler was legally able to discuss a potential contract with New Orleans but they wouldn’t be able to talk trade.
you don’t talk trade with a player. If the Saints came to an agreement on a contract and got confirmation that Butler would sign the deal then the Pats and Saints would talk a deal. If they reach a trade and Butler knows the contract he’s getting in NO. He could sign the tender and the Pats would trade him.
Butler will be back in NE for next season.
I agree. I have a feeling he went to NO to see what kind of deal he would get and reported back to the Pats. I think they will eventually come to a deal.
Imagine pulling off a sherman trade that would be nutz
But they would be forced to lose Gronk and Butler to get Sherman.
Sherman talks too much for the Pats. They need people who can keep secrets.
If I’m the Titans id see about offering the 18th and another pick for him
This makes sense. Titans offer the 18th overall pick and a late round pick for taking Shermans entire contract.
Or the titans could do 5th overall pick for Sherman and swap 1st rounders with seattle and 3rd rounders
So seattle gets the 5th overall pick in the draft and moves up in the 3rd round.
Titans get Shermanm 26th pick, and moves back in the 3rd.
they wouldn’t do gronk and butler for him are you dumb… butler had a much better season and is way cheaper and they’re just going to give away the best TE in the league for free? hell no maybe a draft pick and butler but again that makes no sense to trade for a corner back that had a worse season..
graham isn’t good and either is sherman anymore that’s a huge downgrade for the pats and that’s not realistic at all id much rather keep gronk and butler… maybe butler and a draft pick for sherman and leave it at that they’re not going to take away brady’s favorite target just for a corner back that’s worse than butler now and butlers cheaper..
Stick to baseball. Graham is still elite…just does not get the touches in Seattle’s O. Sherm is still top tier CB that played through injury last year. Why would a team like the pats inquire if he was not good…stick to baseball.
Graham is not elite. Hasnt been since he left NO, cant just blame the system.