Richard Sherman could be released within two days, reports say
By Lee Vowell
According to Michael Silver of NFL.com, the Seahawks plan on releasing Richard Sherman in the next couple of days. The move, rumor has it, is actually a sign of respect to Sherman to allow him to become a free agent. But what does this mean for Seattle?
Richard Sherman may soon no longer be a Seattle Seahawk. There was talk all day of Sherman telling teammates he would soon be leaving. Kam Chancellor and Jeremy Lane both tweeted that Sherman would be gone.
That text message got my heart hurting ... damn 25 was my Dawg #WhatsNext
— jeremy lane (@StayingInMyLane) March 7, 2018
(Chancellor’s tweet was a bit more ambiguous.)
“Chancellor of Operations”
— Kameron Chancellor (@KamChancellor) March 7, 2018
Thanks for the name @RSherman_25 https://t.co/o33BDukp1H
But Silver’s tweet was by far the most authoritarian that Richard Sherman would be released.
As I reported on @NFLTotalAccess @nflnetwork ... the Seahawks plan to release Richard Sherman in the next couple of days. If he doesn't land a big deal elsewhere they are open to bringing him back at a lower salary. @AroundTheNFL
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) March 8, 2018
Sherman being released means the Seahawks would save about $11 million in cap space. If Seattle also gets rid of Cliff Avril and Jeremy Lane, Seattle will clear quite a bit of space for a currently cap-strapped team. Plus, the team is saving even more money after trading Michael Bennett earlier on Wednesday.
But would what Seattle get back after releasing or trading so many good players? Is the team just simply wanting to get younger or is this a complete overhaul? And how long would it take for Seattle to get back to being a championship caliber team?
Is a team being torn down without any true knowledge of whether the organization will be successful at rebuilding better than letting the team grow old with proven players and having a successful two or three seasons before the impending doom?
Change
In an offseason that will clearly bring huge change in Seattle, 12s will find the answer to the first part of that last question fairly soon.
There are also rumors that Earl Thomas could be shopped too. In my opinion, there is no reason to move Thomas. He needs to be signed to an extension. Some players are worth a long-term contract and he is one of them.
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Of course, there is always the chance Sherman doesn’t get released. But after the trading of Bennett, Seattle is clearly remaking its roster.