Seattle Seahawks to release cornerback Richard Sherman
Mar 9, 2018, 12:19 PM
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) celebrates a stop against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
The Seattle Seahawks are cutting ties with star cornerback Richard Sherman after seven seasons.
The team has informed him that he will be released, and Sherman confirmed the decision in a text message to The Associated Press on Friday.
The move appeared to be building after he met with the team Wednesday. Sherman declined to comment after the meeting.
“Cause ppl talking to me like I’m slowin’ down. Opinions over statistics, of course” pic.twitter.com/nonbj7rQDA
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) March 9, 2018
Sherman was an overlooked fifth-round draft pick who developed into one of the NFL’s premier cornerbacks. He was a two-time All-Pro who helped anchor a defense that was the league’s best for several years.
He will be 30 years old going into next season and coming off an Achilles tendon injury that cost him half of the 2017 season. Sherman was due $13 million for the 2018 season and his release gives Seattle a salary cap savings of $11 million.
The move comes just days after social media posts from other Seahawks players originally hinted at Sherman’s depature.
It started with cornerback Jeremy Lane:
That text message got my heart hurting … damn 25 was my Dawg #WhatsNext
— jeremy lane (@StayingInMyLane) March 7, 2018
Then, safety Kam Chancellor thanked Sherman on Instagram for his nickname.
Soon after, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Sherman had said goodbye to his teammates.
#Seahawks CB Richard Sherman has told teammates goodbye over the past 24 hours, sources say, and that he won’t be on the team. Those close to him say nothing is set in stone and there has been no official word. But clearly bears watching.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 7, 2018
This week, the Seahawks also traded Michael Bennett to the Eagles and will reportedly part ways with Lane.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
