According to multiple reports, including ESPN's Adam Scheffer, the Seahawks are likely to release Richard Sherman on Friday. If indeed this news is true, it brings to an end perhaps one of the best defensive players in Seahawks history and probably one of the more iconic player in Seattle history.
Before even the news broke that he has going to be released, the Seahawks had been looking for trade partners for Sherman and nothing happened, most likely because teams expect that the Seahawks would release him. That way, they wouldn't have to give up picks and players to Seattle for a guy still dealing with an ACL injury.
The reasons for the release make sense, as he's making $11 million in salary and is still recovering from a season-ending injury that he suffered in November. Now that he's being released, Sherman is now willing to pick his new team, most likely a team that will offer him a lot of money, perhaps even more than what he got with the Seahawks.
With the release, the Seahawks will now add another $11 million in salary-cap space that they can use to go out and either find new players via free agency or even through the draft. However, I will not question the release or the tactics behind that. If I know one thing about GM John Schneider, he can find ways to cut great players and then go out and get players and make them great. That's why they've been so successful in Seattle for those many years.
There are several reports that all of the moves they are making in getting rid of either injured or high talent players might be to resign Sheldon Richardson, who has played well since coming over from the New York Jets last season. The team declined to put a franchise tag on him and it's expected that releasing all these players would allow to keep Richardson around long-term. Not only that, but it could also add some flexibility to sign Earl Thomas to a long-term deal as well.
It's clear that Schneider believes he knows what he's doing. He's not wrong. Both Richard Sherman and Michael Bennett, who they traded, were not the same players they were during their two-year Super Bowl run and maybe it was time to part with him. However, they have done so much to Seattle and given that fan base a Super Bowl, and I think Seahawks fans, like myself, are appreciative and are thankful that they did that.
Richard Sherman will get picked up by another team and will get more money than what the Seahawks gave him. It was time to move on, anyway. One of the biggest figures in Seattle history will not be forgotten, and we thank Richard Sherman on his devotion and effort to this team, and for bringing a championship to the Emerald City. Now, we'll see where his next act takes him.
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