Teams Have Contacted Seahawks About Richard Sherman Trade, Deal Unlikely

Update:

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that the Patriots were one of a few teams to inquire about a potential trade for CB Richard Sherman before the signed Stephon Gilmore to a big-money contract at the start of free agency.

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On Wednesday, Seahawks HC Pete Carroll confirmed that they’re received trade inquiries from teams about CB Richard Sherman.

“You either are competing or you are not,’’ Carroll said, via Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. “So we have always had to be open to every suggestion that comes along. There have been some teams that have called, and so we have talked about it. But he is extremely important to our football team. I don’t see anything happening at all. I don’t see anything happening with any of our players … it has been talked about. He is a great player and he can impact a team. I can see why people would be interested in him.’’

Yesterday, Seahawks GM John Schneider told reporters (via Bob Condotta) they listen to many trade proposals every year and “98 percent” never happen.

The trade rumors started after former Patriots executive Michael Lombardi mentioned on The Ringer podcast “The NFL Show” that the Seahawks would be open to trading Sherman for the right deal.

“I truly believe, based on what I hear around the National Football League, that the Seahawks would, in fact, for the right deal, trade Richard Sherman,’’ Lombardi said.

Lombardi cited the Seahawks’ cap situation as a reason why they could listen to potential offers for Sherman

“Their cap is kind of a mess and they need to fix it,” Lombardi said.

Lombardi also made the case that the Saints, who have met with Patriots restricted free agent Malcolm Butler, would be better off pursuing a trade for Sherman, who would actually fit the kind of defense they want to play.

By trading Sherman, the Seahawks would only weaken the team’s cornerback depth, which is already a position of need for them.

Sherman, 28, is a former fifth-round pick of the Seahawks back in 2011. He’s currently in the fourth years of his five-year, $58.789 million contract that includes $40 million guaranteed and stands to make base salaries of $11.431 million and $11 million over the final two years of the agreement.

According to OverTheCap.com, trading Sherman would free up $9,231,000 of available cap space while creating $4,400,000 in dead money.

In 2016, Sherman appeared in all 16 games and recorded 58 tackles, four interceptions, a fumble recovery and 13 pass defenses. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 13 cornerback out of 112 qualifying players.