The NFL free agency has allowed several teams to cut and others to acquire various key players across the league. Although teams cannot sign unrestricted free agents until the beginning of the new league season, they can sign those who have been let go during the offseason.
One player, in particular, Richard Sherman, has been in the news lately following his release from the Seattle Seahawks.
Once he was released, Sherman issued a statement on Twitter thanking the Seattle Seahawks organization and his teammates.
“I would like to say thank you to the Seattle Seahawks organization for taking a chance on a kid that was overlooked by many. For that, I am forever grateful. Thank you to the coaching staff, trainers, equipment guys, and office staff for the love and support you have shown me for the last seven seasons. To my brothers, this journey would not have been the same without each of you. It has been [an] amazing ride from beginning to end, with memories to last a lifetime.”
The 29-year-old cornerback has been a standout for the Seahawks since they signed him in 2011. Over the course of his time in Seattle, he had 32 interceptions, 377 career tackles, 3 First Team All-Pro honors, is a 4-time pro bowler and holds lowest passer rating allowed in coverage since 2011 (50.9%). In addition to this, Sherman has been listed in the NFL’s Top 100 5 consecutive years and in 2013 led the league in interceptions (8).
Becoming confident in his abilities and being aware of how much his skill is worth allowed Sherman to look to other organizations to solidify a contract for this season.
After discussions with the Oakland Raiders, Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers, Sherman and the 49ers agreed to a 3-year contract that is worth up to $39.15 million.
San Francisco plays in the NFC West, giving Sherman the opportunity to face his former team twice in each regular season in which he mentioned played a major role in his decision. “I’m vengeful that way.”
An article in Sports Illustrated’s Monday Morning Quarterback by Peter King added that the 49er’s general manager, John Lynch and executive vice president of football operations, Paraag Marathe were heavily involved with Sherman’s negotiations.
The Stanford graduate took on the role of being his own agent and brokered his deal. Marathe expressed his appreciation for Sherman’s preparation and stated, "Richard came into the meeting with us having read all the contracts for all the top cornerbacks past and present. [Sherman] studied our contracts and knew who we'd given real guaranteed money to."
With regards to representing himself, "I don't think any agent in the business could have done a better job of negotiating this contract," Sherman said. "As long as I'm content with what I'm making, nothing else matters to me.“
Although he is coming off a season-ending injury, once healed, the 49ers intend to start Sherman in their Cover 3 defense. #25 "doesn't believe there will be much adjustment in joining the Niners or moving to the Bay Area considering his previous time in college at nearby Stanford. The biggest change? Wearing a different team's colors for the first time in his NFL career."