Richard Sherman: ‘Obviously I’m still looking at Seattle as an option’

The speculation that the Seahawks would release Richard Sherman is over. Let the speculation that he may come back begin.

In an interview on KIRO Radio 97.3 FM, Sherman told Gee Scott of KIRO Nights that a return to Seattle won’t be out of the running as the All-Pro cornerback tries out free agency – as his own agent, no less.

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“Obviously I’m still looking at Seattle as an option,” Sherman said, adding that he and Seahawks general manager John (Schneider) have had “numerous conversations” while going through the process that led to his release Friday. “… I hold myself to a high standard and have a lot of years left in me and wanted to win more Super Bowls with my organization, so (my career in Seattle is) incomplete. Hopefully I’ll get a chance to come back and accomplish those goals, but that remains to be seen.”

Despite coming off one major surgery to repair a ruptured Achilles and another minor one on his opposite leg, the 29-year-old Sherman is brimming with confidence about his ability on the field. He doesn’t seem the least bit worried about finding a team that will provide what he’s looking for in a contract, either.

“My performance hasn’t declined. Obviously, this year I was injured, but it’s the only year I’ve been injured. And my play was at a high level before I got injured and it’s going to be at a high level once I come back,” he said. “… Obviously I want to go to a contender. I play at a high level and I’ve always been a guy that can work well with others and can continue to elevate as my teammates elevate, and elevate others. In Seattle we had a lot of guys playing at a high level regardless. We all just had to fit in like puzzle pieces and play off of each other, and I feel like we all did that very well and that’s why we had the success that we had. Would I go to a young secondary that was like we were when we were younger, and help them grow and help them advance? Sure, if the number looks right and the situation was comfortable for me and my family, then sure.”

Sherman made it clear that there are no hard feelings with the Seahawks, calling his relationship with coach Pete Carroll “outstanding,” but he was also was matter of fact about what led to the team deciding to cut him to save $11 million in 2018 salary cap space.

“That’s a number of things. A bit of mismanagement, drafting not as great as it was in the first couple years. Guys getting paid. And obviously it’s different, because usually a guy’s performance declines and his pay declines,” Sherman said.

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Asked for his message to Seahawks fans, Sherman was gracious for the experience of his seven years with Seattle that included a Super Bowl win, two NFC championships and three All-Pro nominations.

“As a player and as a person, I can’t express my gratitude to the fans enough for all the support, the admiration, the praise, the loud cheers. Even the boos, even the criticisms when things weren’t going well. I appreciate it all. Because it’s allowed me to grow and develop as a person and as a player. Who knows where I would be if I got drafted somewhere else. Seattle’s been the most incredible city in the world. The fans are like no other and I’m thankful that. I’ve been blessed to start my career here and continue to blossom with my teammates, with outstanding men.”

Sherman talked about much more in the interview, from explaining how the release wasn’t his decision, going more in-depth on his relationship with Carroll and where he stands with his Seahawks teammates. You can find the full interview with Sherman at this link.

710Sports.com’s Stacy Rost contributed to this story.

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