Richard Sherman - Pro Football Rumors

Extra Points: Seahawks, Villanueva, Jaguars

June 10th, 2017 at 12:29pm CST by Ben Levine

The Seahawks made several changes to their offensive line this summer, adding free agents Luke Joeckel and Oday Aboushi and drafting second-rounder Ethan Pocic. While offensive line coach Tom Cable is generally bullish about this unit prior to training camp, he was especially happy with the organization’s offseason additions.

“I’d like to get to camp, but I’m the most excited coach on the staff right now,” Cable told ESPN.com’s Sheil Kapadia. “That’s what I’ve told coach [Pete Carroll] and John [Schneider, Seahawks general manager]. I appreciate them putting this together in a year’s time and doing a fantastic job. Our personnel guys nailed this, so it’s just a matter of getting them in the right spots and going and playing ball.”

Let’s take a look at some other notes from around the NFL…

Following news that Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman had been holding a grudge against both quarterback Russell Wilson and Carroll over the past two seasons, the veteran was quick to dismiss the story. “He asked a few questions to a few cowardly people,” Sherman said of USA Today writer Seth Wickersham (via, ironically, Liz Mathews of USA Today). “And I’ll be calling you cowards if you’re afraid to put your name on it. If you have a comment, if you’ve got something to say, you’ve got something to ask or something and you’re not willing to put your name on it, you’re kind of a coward. But maybe they’re not cowards and maybe these people never existed. Because who knows? You don’t even have to exist. You don’t have to prove anything in this world anymore…And that’s what I mean when I say there are a lot of TMZ-like media going on because guys like this — nobody is going to ever question him if they come to find out, hey, he could have fabricated this whole story and, I mean, outside of him saying there was an interaction at practice, none of the rest of it was true. But heck, what did he have to lose? I think it’s really unfortunate that’s it’s come to that.”
Left tackle Alejandro Villanueva is currently without a contract ahead of the Steelers upcoming mandatory minicamp. When asked by ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler whether he’ll be in attendance, the 28-year-old indicated that he might be willing to hold out. “I’m obviously trying to be a Steeler but it’s something that my agent and the front office will work to sort out,” said Villanueva. The former Army standout didn’t sign his ERFA tender this offseason, although he did ink a waiver/agreement that allowed him to participate in OTAs.
Jaguars safety Peyton Thompson has been cut six times during his career, including twice by Jacksonville. However, considering the injuries to the team’s secondary, Ryan O’Halloran of Jacksonville.com believes the 26-year-old finally has a chance to earn a more significant defensive role. The former undrafted free agent has played in 30 games for the Jaguars over the past two seasons, compiling 27 tackles.

NFC Notes: Kap, Giants, Seahawks, Cards

May 29th, 2017 at 9:11am CST by Connor J. Byrne

Count the Giants among the teams that didn’t consider signing free agent Colin Kaepernick when they were in the market for a backup quarterback, co-owner John Mara told Jenny Ventras of The MMQB. Mara, whose Giants ended up signing Geno Smith and drafting Davis Webb to back up Eli Manning, revealed to Ventras that the team’s fans haven’t been shy about voicing their disdain for the polarizing Kaepernick. “All my years being in the league, I never received more emotional mail from people than I did about that issue,” said Mara. “If any of your players ever do that, we are never coming to another Giants game. It wasn’t one or two letters. It was a lot. It’s an emotional, emotional issue for a lot of people, moreso than any other issue I’ve run into.”

NFC Notes: Hawks, Giants, Eagles, Cowboys

May 25th, 2017 at 7:17pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

ESPN’s Seth Wickersham reported Thursday that Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman has been holding a grudge against both quarterback Russell Wilson and head coach Pete Caroll since the team’s devastating Super Bowl XLIX loss to the Patriots in 2015. But Sherman and defensive end Michael Bennett insist that’s not true (via Kevin Patra of NFL.com). “It’s just a bunch of nonsense from ‘anonymous’ sources. Can never put much gravity of things like that,” said Sherman, who, according to Wickersham, “allowed himself to imagine playing for the Cowboys” when Seattle placed him on the trade block earlier this spring. Bennett, meanwhile, dismissed the article as “trash” and “all gossip.”

The latest from the NFC East…

In an interview with 105.1 FM in New York on Thursday, now-Bears wide receiver Victor Cruz implied that the Giants didn’t involve him in their offense more last year because they knew they’d release him in the offseason (per Ralph Vacchiano of SNY). “Halfway through the year, you’re like, ‘OK, I’m balling,’ and then the other half I’m not getting the ball,” he said. “And you’re just like, ‘What’s going on?’ It was like, ‘OK, I see what’s happening. They don’t want me here anymore.’” Continued Cruz, who caught 39 of 72 targets in 2016: “If I played well, they owed me a ton of money that next year. So it was like, ‘let’s get Cruz off the books.'” Unsurprisingly, head coach Ben McAdoo refuted Cruz’s claims, telling reporters that “there is no accuracy” to the wideout’s theory (via Lorenzo Reyes of USA Today).
Cutting receiver Nelson Agholor would cost the Eagles more money than they’d save ($4.68MM versus $2.56MM), but his roster spot nonetheless looks to be in jeopardy, writes Andrew Kulp of CSNPhilly.com. Philadelphia signed two proven receivers in March, Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith, to join Jordan Matthews, which could further marginalize Agholor. A first-round pick just two years ago, Agholor caught only 59 of 114 targets and three touchdowns from 2015-16.
It continues to look as though Cowboys offensive lineman La’el Collins will move to right tackle after functioning as a left guard during his first two seasons. Collins has lined up solely at right tackle during organized team activities this week and will likely continue to do so leading up to the season, according to Kate Hairopoulos and Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News. The position opened up in Dallas when starter Doug Free retired earlier this offseason, and if Collins fills it, either Jonathan Cooper or Emmett Cleary could take over at left guard, per Hairopoulos and George.

Richard Sherman Wanted Cowboys Trade?

May 25th, 2017 at 8:58am CST by Zachary Links

The Richard Sherman trade talk didn’t result in a trade this offseason, but things got serious enough for Sherman to daydream about where he might land. When things were bubbling earlier this year, Sherman told friends that he “allowed himself to imagine playing for the Cowboys,” Seth Wickersham of ESPN.com writes.

We have no indication that there were ever talks between the Cowboys and Seahawks, but Sherman would have been a logical fit for Dallas on a football level. The Cowboys’ secondary was picked apart in free agency this year as cornerbacks Morris Claiborne and Brandon Carr left along with safeties Barry Church and J.J. Wilcox. Cowboys did draft three cornerbacks to help replenish that group, but a similar approach didn’t do a whole lot for the Panthers last year. The addition of Sherman would give them a bonafide CB1 alongside Orlando Scandrick and immediately cement them as one of the best overall defenses in the league.

Of course, there would have been many barriers to a potential trade. For starters, the Cowboys were very tight against the cap this offseason, which is what caused them to lose talented members of the secondary in the first place. Even now, Dallas has just ~$3.5MM in cap space, according to Over The Cap. Even when considering that the Cowboys wouldn’t be responsible for Sherman’s $2.2MM prorated bonus, he’d still carry a hefty $11.431MM cap charge for 2017.

In addition to making room for Sherman under the cap, the Cowboys would have also had to part with a significant amount of draft capital in order to acquire him. At one point, the Seahawks’ asking price was reportedly a first-round pick in the 2017 and a conditional mid-rounder in 2018. That ask, understandably, was too rich for anyone’s blood.

A trade sending Sherman to Dallas was probably never going to happen, but the fact that he was picturing himself in a Cowboys jersey tells us that the trade talk was indeed serious. And, if Sherman and the Seahawks are unable to mend fences, his affinity for the Cowboys is something to keep in mind for next offseason. If Sherman declines, the Seahawks could release him and save $11MM while carrying just $2MM in dead money. If he continues to play like a top cornerback but is still at odds with the team, the Cowboys may have the cap flexibility to get something done.

Seahawks Expect To Retain Richard Sherman

May 5th, 2017 at 8:08pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Less than two weeks ago, Seahawks general manager John Schneider wasn’t ready to rule out trading cornerback Richard Sherman. But with the draft having passed since then, it appears the team’s chance to deal the four-time Pro Bowler has gone by the wayside.

As a guest on the “Brock and Salk” show on 710 ESPN Seattle on Thursday, head coach Pete Carroll addressed the odds of a Sherman trade, saying (via Sheil Kapadia of ESPN.com): “I don’t think anybody’s going to offer us anything that would make it worthwhile, because there’s no draft involved and all that kind of stuff. But that’s always out there. There’s always opportunities to trade. But the likelihood is like zero percent, it seems like. Teams don’t want to give up stuff. They don’t want to trade at times like this, and it’s really hard to navigate through a trade with experienced players during draft time. It just doesn’t happen very often.”

While Sherman and the Seahawks had mutual interest in parting ways earlier this spring, no one was willing to meet the club’s asking price (reportedly a first-round pick this year and a conditional mid-rounder in 2018). Now, there’s “no animosity at all” between the two sides, according to Carroll, who believes his relationship with the 29-year-old is “as good as it’s ever been.” To Carroll, shopping Sherman was an example of the Seahawks doing their due diligence.

“We don’t want to trade guys,” he said. “We want to keep our guys. But we have to in an effort to always work to be better and help our team. We’ve got to listen and all that. So we went through that process. There was very open conversation about that.”

Now that Sherman will return to helm the Legion of Boom again in 2017, Carroll noted that the Seahawks need “to continue to dig into [Sherman] and make sure that he’s really at the height of his game, intensity-wise.” Sherman wasn’t necessarily at the height of his game, performance-wise, in 2016, but he still served as a top-notch defender. In the fifth straight 16-start season of his career, the six-year veteran tallied four interceptions and 13 passes defensed, and ranked among Pro Football Focus’ 15 best corners.

Seahawks “Past” Richard Sherman Trade

April 24th, 2017 at 1:38pm CST by Zachary Links

When asked about a potential Richard Sherman trade, Seahawks GM John Schneider said “right now we’ve kind of moved past it,” as Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times tweets. However, he says would still consider a trade if a big offer comes his way.

Schneider’s latest comments perhaps send a stronger statement than last week when he said that “odds are” Sherman would be staying put. Sherman reportedly asked out of Seattle, but the team has been unable to oblige that request so far. After originally asking for a first-round pick plus a quality player, the Seahawks lowered the ask to a 2017 first-round pick and a conditional mid-round pick in 2018. Still, no one has met the sticker price.

Now, the two sides are effectively stuck with each other as the draft closes in. If Schneider and Sherman are to be believed, then that’s not necessarily a problem. Both men say that their relationship is in good standing, so things just might be drama free from here on out.

Sherman is under contract with Seattle through the 2018 season.

John Schneider: “Odds Are” Seahawks Keep Richard Sherman

April 20th, 2017 at 8:11pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The Seahawks aren’t ruling out trading cornerback Richard Sherman, but “odds are” he’ll stay put, general manager John Schneider told 710 ESPN Radio on Thursday. If Sherman does return to the Seahawks for a seventh season, there’s unlikely to be any behind-the-scenes drama, as Schneider insists that “everything is fine” between the two sides (all Twitter links via Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times).

While Sherman reportedly requested a trade, Schneider indicated that shopping him is a mutual decision based on “constant communication” with the corner. Asked why the Seahawks would deal Sherman, a three-time first-team All-Pro, Schneider reasoned that doing so would enable the club “to create cap room” and “become a younger football team.” Sherman is set to play his age-29 season in 2017, in which he’s due to earn an $11.4MM-plus base salary and count over $13.6MM against the cap. He’s under contract for similar numbers ($11MM and $13.2MM) in 2018, the final year of his deal.

Despite Sherman’s age and expensive price tag, the Seahawks are reportedly seeking a first-round pick in this year’s draft and a conditional mid-rounder in 2018 for him. They’re not out of line to place a high asking price on Sherman, of course, as the playmaker has never missed a game and is coming off his sixth straight 16-start season. Sherman picked off four passes in 2016, giving him 30 for his career, and ranked as Pro Football Focus’ 13th-best corner.

NFC West Rumors: Hawks, Sherman, 49ers

April 18th, 2017 at 4:15pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Although Richard Sherman doesn’t plan to attend the start of Seahawks workouts today, he is expected to report before OTAs, meaning he’ll be in attendance in early or mid May, according to Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com (Twitter link). Sherman, of course, reportedly asked for a trade, and Seattle is now attempting to oblige him. After originally setting an ask of a first-round pick and another player, the Seahawks have reduced the Sherman price to a 2017 first-round pick and a conditional mid-round pick in 2018.

Here’s more from Seattle and the rest of the NFC West:

Before inking Seahawks restricted free agent Garry Gilliam to a one-year, $2.2MM deal, the 49ers approached Gilliam with two- and three-year offers, both of which were rejected, reports Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. By agreeing to a one-year commitment, Gilliam affords himself the possibility of reaching unrestricted free agency in 2018. Seattle had the option of matching San Francisco’s offer sheet, and though the Seahawks had five days to make a decision, they used just over 12 hours to turn down the terms. Gilliam will earn $1.4MM in guarantees under his new 49ers pact, while his RFA tender with Seattle would have paid him $1.797MM in non-guaranteed base salary.
Defensive end Dion Jordan‘s one-year contract with the Seahawks is worth only $615K, per Sheil Kapadia of ESPN.com. The deal comes with a $25K workout bonus, but doesn’t contain any guarantees, meaning Seattle can move on without any dead money incurring on its salary cap. Additionally, Jordan agreed to a split salary: if he gets injured, the Seahawks will owe him only $378K. If Jordan does succeed this season, Seattle can keep him for 2018 as a restricted free agent. Because he entered the league as first-round pick, the Seahawks could use the original round tender to retain Jordan without worrying about another club signing him to an offer sheet.
Collegiate basketball player and aspiring tight end Mo Alie-Cox is scheduled to meet with the Seahawks today, tweets Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com, who adds Alie-Cox has a visit lined up with the Colts on Monday. 30 NFL clubs attended a recent Alie-Cox audition, and teams are now hoping to sign the 6’7″ hoopster to play offense. Alie-Cox is not eligible for the draft, and is able to sign an NFL contract immediately.

Marshawn Lynch Begins Reinstatement Process

April 13th, 2017 at 8:50am CST by Zachary Links

Marshawn Lynch has begun the process of reinstatement, Ed Werder of ESPN.com tweets. The Seahawks running back is hoping to play for Raiders, of course, but Werder suggests that he could be interested in teaming with Richard Sherman elsewhere if the star Seahawks cornerback is traded.

Lynch would carry a $9MM cap hit for Seattle if reinstated and the team simply cannot afford him at that rate. The Seahawks also don’t really need Lynch from a football perspective after signing Eddie Lacy in free agency this offseason. Once Lynch formally returns to football, the team will be forced to trade or release him, which could pave the way for his long-expected union with the Raiders.

For a long time, it was Raiders-or-bust for Beast Mode, but he’s at least considering other options if he cannot work things out with Oakland. Lynch has interest in joining up with the Patriots and he’s now reportedly daydreaming about following Sherman out of Seattle. The Raiders are still the odds-on favorites to land Lynch, but it’s certainly a situation worth monitoring.

Seahawks Drop Richard Sherman Price

April 11th, 2017 at 2:40pm CST by Zachary Links

Last week, Seahawks were telling teams that they would only part with Richard Sherman in exchange for “a very good player” plus a high draft pick, according to Armando Salguero of The Miami Herald. Already, it seems that asking price has dropped a bit. The Seahawks are now looking for a first-round pick in the upcoming draft plus a conditional mid-round choice in 2018, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL.com.

For what it’s worth, Garafolo (Twitter link) says the asking price has always been a first-round pick plus a future mid-round choice. But, Salguero has a history of rock solid reporting and, with that in mind, it appears there has been a reduction in Seattle’s ask.

As former NFL executive Joe Banner suggested recently, Garafolo says the Darrelle Revis trade of 2013 could give us an idea of the kind of return that would come in a Sherman deal. The Jets received a first-round pick in 2013 and a fourth-round pick in 2014 in exchange for Revis, which is right in line with what Seattle is now asking for. That fourth-round pick was a conditional choice that would have blossomed into a third-round selection if Revis remained on the roster on the third day of the 2014 league year.

Either the market for Sherman isn’t quite as strong as the Seahawks anticipated or the Seahawks were intentionally setting an inflated sticker price to begin the sweepstakes. Now, one has to wonder if the Seahawks will be willing to take even less than the Revis package as we get closer to the draft.

If the Seahawks do not find a suitable deal for Sherman, they may have to work on mending some fences with their star cornerback.