Despite reports that he is on the trade blocks and the Seattle Seahawks’ willingness to speak publicly about it, Richard Sherman is unlikely to be dealt moving forward this offseason.
There’s a very simple reason for this.
Seattle is reportedly demanding a major bounty in return for the All Pro cornerback.
“Unless somebody blows away the Seattle Seahawks with the type of offer they can’t refuse, Sherman isn’t going anywhere,” USA Today’s Tom Pelissero reported. “And now that emotions have died down and some of the issues when this started months ago have been addressed, everybody involved would be fine with that.”
The insider went on to report that he’s hearing Seattle’s demands include a first and third-round pick. That differs a little from previous suggestions that the team wants a high-round pick and a good player (more on that here).
Sherman, 29, showed signs of regression for the Seahawks last season and is owed $22-plus million over the next two years. Add in the bounty Seattle is demanding for his services, and it’s logical to conclude that Sherman will not be dealt.
Then again, the cornerback position has taken on a larger importance in today’s pass-happy NFL. Should a team bite the bullet and offer Seattle what it demands, the team might have to pull the trigger.