It’s official. The Seattle Seahawks have released key Legion of Boom member Richard Sherman. The three-time All-Pro was rumored to be on the chopping block with the Seahawks strapped for salary cap cash this offseason.
Seattle Seahawks Release All-Pro Cornerback Richard Sherman
Last season Sherman had 25 tackles, seven passes defensed and two interceptions in nine games. He was lost for the season in a week nine Thursday Night Football game against the Arizona Cardinals when he ruptured his Achilles.
Even up to last season, Sherman was one of few corners who could lock down his area of the field. Quarterbacks rarely go his way these days, but his 32 interceptions since entering the league are the most of any player. He also leads the league with 99 passes defensed and allows the lowest completion percentage at 47.4.
Sherman was a key cog in Seattle’s stingy defense en route to their Super Bowl win in 2013. That year, Sherman was tied for ninth in passes defensed with 18 in the regular season. He led the NFL in interceptions with eight, even though he was rarely targeted. His play earned him a huge four-year $56 million contract extension after that.
A fifth-round draft pick out of Stanford, Sherman spent his entire career thus far in Seattle. He quickly became known as one of the biggest trash talkers in the NFL, consistently referring to himself as “the best corner in the game.”
His trash talk culminated in the 2013 NFC championship when the Seahawks played the San Francisco 49ers. He tipped a pass intended for Michael Crabtree that ended up being the game-sealing interception. After the game he said, “when you try me with a sorry receiver like Crabtree, that is the result you are going to get.”
The Seahawks went on to win Super Bowl XLVIII against the Denver Broncos 43-8.
The Legion of Boom could completely disappear next season. Michael Bennett was already traded. Other longtime players like Cliff Avril and Kam Chancellor are also rumored to be on the trade block.
