49ers' Richard Sherman Rips Seahawks to MMQB, 'They've Lost Their Way'

Richard Sherman is not pulling punches when talking about the Seattle Seahawks.

Speaking with MMQB's Robert Klemko, Sherman said the Seahawks have "lost their way" since their Super Bowl-winning heyday.

"They've lost their way. It's as simple as that. They've just lost their way. When you make too many mistakes over a long period of time, you kind of dig yourself a hole. And then when you backtrack, you gotta make a bunch of rash decisions to try and fill the hole and hope that it holds up.

"When we were rolling, it was an environment for pure competitors. When it becomes something else, then it's more difficult to thrive in, and I think that's what was tough on Earl [Thomas]; that's what was tough on a lot of guys.

"But I think as it kind of progressed, you start seeing the writing on the wall. You're like, 'Not only are they probably moving in a different direction,' but it's like, 'Ah, well, I kind of want to move in a different direction, too.' So it happens like that. All great things must come to an end, I guess.

"I'm not even going to worry about it now. I've got bigger fish to fry."

The Seahawks have undergone a massive transformation in their secondary, releasing Sherman and having Kam Chancellor retire. The only remaining vestige of their Legion of Boom is safety Earl Thomas, who has been unhappy with his contract.

Sherman, 30, is coming off an Achilles tear. He signed a three-year, $39 million contract with the 49ers this offseason that is largely non-guaranteed—a bet on himself to return to his previous performance level. The four-time Pro Bowler has also stated that playing twice per season against his former team was a factor in signing in San Francisco.

Sherman continued:

"It's just unfortunate. It's really unfortunate. I think it'll all come out when they do the 30 for 30. Mistakes and poor judgment on things ruined what could have been a really special deal. You don't have much left right now.

"And to say you're not going to pay Earl Thomas is just ... There's no decline in play there. He's played the game the right way. Who do you have to pay? You have the two best linebackers in the game. You have the quarterback. You have a great wide receiver in Doug [Baldwin]. And you're paying Duane Brown."

The Seahawks missed the playoffs for the first time since 2011 last season.