Richard Sherman Released by Seahawks, Enters Free Agency

The Seattle Seahawks announced they have released cornerback Richard Sherman on Friday, making him a free agent:

ESPN's Adam Schefter initially reported the move.

Sherman seemingly responded to the move:

The release comes amid a period of transition for the Seahawks.

Schefter reported they already traded defensive end Michael Bennett and a seventh-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles in return for a fifth-round draft pick and wide receiver Marcus Johnson. Shortly thereafter, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Seattle had met with Sherman and was going to look at the team's trade scenarios.

Despite his track record, the fact the Seahawks were unable to find a feasible trade for Sherman isn't surprising.

For one, Sherman counted for $13.2 million against the salary cap in 2018. That number likely scared away some potential suitors. According to Over the Cap, the Seahawks will save $11 million by cutting Sherman, with $2.2 million in dead money counting against the cap.

Sherman is also coming off a 2017 season in which he suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon. Serious Achilles injuries can be notoriously difficult to recover from and can cause effects that linger even after a player returns to the field.

Arian Foster reached a Pro Bowl with the Houston Texans in 2014 before he tore his Achilles four games into the 2015 season. After playing four games for the Miami Dolphins in 2016, he decided to retire.

As much as Sherman has meant to the Seahawks emotionally and for as much as he did to help the franchise win its only Super Bowl in 2014, parting ways with Sherman was the most logical decision for Seattle.

Judging by their desire to cut costs this offseason, it seems unlikely the Seahawks will replace Sherman with a marquee free agent such as Malcolm Butler or Trumaine Johnson. Instead, Seattle could turn to an internal candidate such as Justin Coleman, who is a restricted free agent. The draft will be another option, though the Seahawks don't have a pick in the second or third rounds; their first-round pick is No. 18 overall.

Sherman, meanwhile, becomes the most distinguished cornerback on the free-agent market—albeit one who carries big risk.

Darrelle Revis is a perfect example of how quickly things can fall apart for previously elite corners. Revis was an All-Pro in 2014 and a Pro Bowler in 2015. The Jets cut the 31-year-old Revis after the 2016 season, and he played just five games for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2017.

Sherman turns 30 on March 30, so he's already on the wrong side of the aging curve. Throw in the Achilles injury, and it's fair to wonder whether he can still be a Pro Bowl-caliber cornerback.