It looks like the Seattle Seahawks are ready to dismantle their legendary defense group. In words of ESPN‘s Adam Schefter: “Legion of Boom is falling apart right in front of our eyes“. After trading away defensive end Michael Bennett earlier this week, the Seahawks released cornerback Richard Sherman on Friday.
For your immeasurable impact on this organization, this region, and this game, #ThankYouSherman. pic.twitter.com/a4NxveyGou
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) March 9, 2018
“Thank you for helping win championships, shape our culture and define success in Seattle,” – said the Seahawks about Sherman in a statement. “We love you and your unwavering competitiveness, confidence and fierce passion for football and life. For that, you will always be a Hawk!“
Sherman said goodbye to the organization via an emotional letter, saying that he will be “forever grateful” to the Seahawks for giving him an opportunity.
All I have ever wanted to be was a good teammate. Thank you @Seahawks for an amazing opportunity. pic.twitter.com/ZTU3FfRfLj
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) March 10, 2018
Since Richard Sherman serves as his own agent, he can start negotiating with other teams right away. There is also a slight chance that he could return to Seahawks. One thing is for sure, the 29-year-old wants to play for a contender.
“I want to go to a contender,” – said Sherman while speaking to Seattle’s KIRO 97.3 FM on Friday. “I play at [a] high level. I’ve always been a guy that can work well with others and continue to elevate if my teammates elevate and elevate others. In Seattle, we had a lot of guys playing at a high level regardless. … We had to fit in like puzzle pieces and play off each other. We all did that very well, and that’s why we had the success we had.“
According to the reports, Seattle Seahawks looked to trade Richard Sherman first but failed to find a partner. The player previously said to ESPN that the team is letting him test free agency “with the hope that I can return” and that the Seahawks “just wanted the financial flexibility,” which came with his release.
Richard Sherman entered the league in 2011 when the Seahawks took him in the fifth round of that year’s draft. He went on to become one of the best (if not the best) cornerbacks of his generation. His 99 passes defended and 32 interceptions during seven years in the league are the most by any player in the same time span. Besides winning Super Bowl XLVIII in 2013, Sherman was also selected three times as First-team All-Pro (2012-2014) and had four Pro Bowl appearances (2013–2016).
