Seahawks expected to release Richard Sherman this week
Mar 8, 2018, 10:22 AM | Updated: 1:01 pm
Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman is set to make $11 million in 2018. (AP)
(AP)
Richard Sherman is expected to be released by the Seattle Seahawks.
That’s the simple reality that has become clear after a Wednesday that included parsing the emojis posted by his Seattle teammates on Twitter and reading the Facebook updates from his mother.
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That’s not because of his attitude nor his opinions, but the simple fact that Seattle has decided the $11 million allotted for him in 2018 could be better used elsewhere.
He’s going to be a cap casualty, which is the term NFL teams use when it decides to terminate the contract of a valuable veteran who is just deemed too expensive.
Mike Silver of the NFL Network reported Wednesday night that Sherman was likely to be released in the next couple days, and that was subsequently confirmed that barring any last-minute deal, Sherman is expected to be released this week.
Sherman has played seven seasons for the Seahawks, being named to the Pro Bowl four times and chosen first-team All-Pro on three occasions. He has intercepted 32 passes and started 99 consecutive games – a streak that began when he replaced Walter Thurmond in the lineup in Week 7 of 2011 and continued until he suffered a season-ending Achilles injury midway through last season.
Sherman is recovering from surgery to repair his torn Achilles tendon. He also underwent a procedure to remove bone spurts from his other foot. He has estimated that he’ll be running again by June.
There was some question about the logistics of a potential release given the fact that Sherman is still recovering from a football injury. But because the injury occurred in 2017, and the new league year has begun, the guidelines are a bit different. It’s not clear whether Seattle would be required to declare Sherman couldn’t pass a physical if it were to release him.
The Seahawks could have waited until they started signing players – and needed the salary-cap space occupied by Sherman’s contract – to release him. Instead, he’ll be available for other teams to sign before free agency officially begins.
