The past month has seen all sorts of chatter about the future of Richard Sherman in Seattle. There have been rumors a trade might happen, and general manager John Schneider confirmed what people are seeing in the news has some truth to it. He said that a trade is unlikely, but the team is considering their options with Sherman.
“I think we’re a very unique organization in that regard,’’ Schneider said. “We have a great relationship with a lot of our players. There’s very much an openness. What you’ve seen lately in the news is real. That’s on both sides. It’s just open communication. He knows what’s going on. We know what’s going on. I don’t know if anything would ever happen. But like I tell people all the time, 98 percent of the deals that we’re involved with, we don’t follow through with. But at least we’ve opened that door, gone down the road and seen what’s behind door A or door B.”
Schneider said the team has been upfront with Sherman, telling him the team has fielded calls about his availability. Of course, given the quality of player involved, Seattle is not going to give him up on the cheap.
Albert Breer brought up a good point in looking at the Seahawks roster. Kam Chancellor is in the final year of his contract, while Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas are free agents after 2018. This year’s draft class is loaded in the secondary. Maybe we see the Seahawks start to figure out their future on the back-end?
New England Patriots beat writer Jeff Howe reported that the Patriots have some interest, but that would depend on what kind of resolution there is with restricted free agent cornerback Malcolm Butler. He said nothing is imminent generally with Sherman, but the draft could very well bring some action.
There are a lot of teams that could use a talent like Sherman. The question is how many are willing to give up what Seattle wants in a deal. I doubt they get enough, but teams have gone silly with draft pick trades in the past, so maybe somebody surprises us. If it does happen, my guess is Sherman ends up in the AFC.