The Seattle Seahawks finally decided to pull the trigger on parting ways with All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman on Friday morning. This has effectively put him in the free agent market for the first time in his career, a designation that'll garner him plenty of interest around the league looking to acquire his services for the 2018 season.
One of the teams that are expected to be in the mix is the New England Patriots due to their previously expressed desire to land via a trade. According to Jeff Howe of The Boston Herald, the Patriots have yet to reach out to the 29-year-old in the first few hours since becoming a free agent.
The Patriots have yet to reach out to Richard Sherman, per source, but it’s still so early in the process. If they do, Sherman’s interest in joining the Patriots would be real. Difficult to gauge the likelihood of that union until seeing how Sherman’s market shapes up.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) March 9, 2018
There is a mutual interest on both sides that could quickly make New England the frontrunner to land Sherman. The team fits all the prerequisites that he has placed in having a “great” quarterback on the roster in reigning league MVP Tom Brady along with being a Super Bowl contending team coming off their third appearance in the last four years. The Patriots also have more than enough salary cap space to ink him to a lucrative deal with $25.2 million at their disposal.
There are early indications that Sherman may have his market value range around $7 million annually, which falls well within the range of what the Patriots will likely present to him if they do pursue him.
This should be the case given that the team has a need to address their secondary with the expected departure of Malcolm Butler in free agency as the four-time Pro Bowler could quickly step in as their top cornerback.
At the same time, there could be other intriguing options that may arise for Sherman with the likes of the San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans and Oakland Raiders all potentially jumping into the mix.
This could all quickly lead to an intense free agency pursuit around the league for one of the top available defensive talents on the open market.
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