It’s finally confirmed after two days of rampant speculation: Richard Sherman is done in Seattle.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reported on Friday that the Seahawks’ front office has informed Sherman that he will be released. Rumors and discussion began swirling on Wednesday following a series of social media posts from a few of Sherman’s Seattle teammates. Sherman was due to receive an $11 million salary in 2018; by cutting him now, the Seahawks save that amount against the cap while carrying just a $2.2 million dead money charge from his 2014 signing bonus.
The financial situation is the primary driver of this decision, apparently; ESPN’s Josina Anderson reports that the team told Sherman that they would be interested in bringing him back as a free agent in the right situation.
Sherman suffered a torn Achilles tendon in November in the Seahawks’ ninth game of the season, and has been sidelined ever since. He reportedly is on schedule to begin running on a treadmill next week, according to Anderson, but the injury undoubtedly played a part in Seattle’s willingness to part with him at this time.
Seattle’s defense is going to get a major overhaul this offseason, at least as far as its most prominent faces are concerned. In addition to releasing Sherman, the team agreed to trade defensive end Michael Bennett to the Philadelphia Eagles on Wednesday.
Expect Sherman’s release to show up on the NFL’s official transaction wire on Friday afternoon.