Raiders HC Jon Gruden recruits 49ers CB Richard Sherman to come to Las Vegas

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden recently joined The Cris Collinsworth Podcast, where San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman also co-hosts the show. Gruden wasted no time when it came to tampering recruiting Sherman.

“Richard Sherman, if you are a free agent, which there is a rumor you are, we are looking for an alpha presence in our secondary. Somebody that could play this Hawk 3-press technique with the read step. If you’re available and interested, maybe you and I can get together at some point off-air.”

The new league year begins on March 17. Teams are allowed a two-day window prior to the start of free agency that allows them to contact agents so they can begin contract negotiations.

Nobody reading this believes there isn’t conversations happening before the two-day window. That’s naive, especially in today’s world where it’s so easy to get into contact with someone.

Sherman, who acts as his own agent, isn’t allowed to speak with teams until the new league year begins since he represents himself. Sherman responded to Gruden, saying, “there’s a conversation to be had, for sure. I am free and available these days, fortunately, and unfortunately.” That sounds like a man who knows his days in the Bay Area are over. Not that this news comes as a shock, but we rarely hear players who are open about their current situation.

I’m fascinated to see what Sherman’s market is. Teams are going to be interested in Sherman as long as he’s in the NFL. He’s a Hall of Fame player that has still shown the ability to play at a high-level in the NFL. Coming off an injury, I wonder if Sherman takes a one or two-year last hoorah deal with a playoff team.

The Raiders aren’t a playoff team, but that could change if these Derek Carr rumors are true and Las Vegas plans to go all-in on Deshaun Watson. If you’re Sherman, Watson might be enough to make your decision for you.

Where do you think Sherman ends up?