Free agent cornerback Richard Sherman has a visit scheduled with the Detroit Lions, according to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. Sherman, 29, is reportedly set to meet with the Lions next week after meeting with the San Francisco 49ers multiple times over the past 24 hours or so.
Sherman reportedly met with Kyle Shanahan on Friday evening, and underwent some form of physical with the team on Saturday. He’s coming off a ruptured Achilles that ended his 2017 season, and subsequent preventative surgery on the other side. The 49ers are doing their due diligence, and while they are the first team to speak with Sherman at length, it’s best for him to meet with other teams.
Notably, Sherman acts as his own agent, and is hitting free agency for the first time since entering the league. He has no real reason to rush his decision on a team, though it’s unclear if the 49ers made a formal offer. They did discuss contract numbers at some point, according to Pro Football Talk, but the extent is unclear.
Sherman also posted a statement on Twitter, which you can view below.
Thank you to everyone for the kind words. This is just another chapter in the journey. This will be an ongoing process and I am excited to take on this challenge. To the fans urging me to join your team, I am humbled but I can only look at the teams that have reached out.
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) March 10, 2018
I wouldn’t be surprised if Sherman is just drumming up interest for himself, but at the same time, it’s a pretty clear statement, and his situation isn’t that complicated.