A day after volatile cornerback Richard Sherman was informed of his pending release from the Seattle Seahawks, the Detroit Lions have shown at least preliminary interest in the seven-year veteran.
ESPN’s Josina Anderson has reported that several teams have already shown interest in signing Sherman.
I spoke to Richard Sherman last night, he told me after being informed of his release by the #Seattle Seahawks, he has received preliminary interest from the #49ers, #Titans, #Lions, #Raiders, #Texans, #Bucs and #Packers. https://t.co/QtAB9T3sOt
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 10, 2018
NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero has also reported that the Lions are scheduled to meet with Sherman next week.
Richard Sherman has a visit scheduled next week with the #Lions, I’m told. Has been meeting with the #49ers since last night.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 10, 2018
After numerous years of being known as one of the best cornerbacks in the league, Sherman ruptured an Achilles tendon last year, and was limited to just nine games. He turns 30 later this month, which likely means that he still has plenty left in the tank. But whether or not he can recover fully and perform at the same level that he has over the past few years remain to be seen.
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The Lions do have some openings on the depth chart at corner, as Nevin Lawson and DJ Hayden are scheduled to become free agents. Although general manager Bob Quinn said last week that the replacements for both Lawson and Hayden would likely come from within the organization, that hasn’t stopped the team from at least taking a look at the market.
Teez Tabor and Jamal Agnew are internal options to fill the holes at corner, but both were used very little (at corner, in Agnew’s case) last season. Tabor played in just 10 games last season, and only started in one. Agnew saw the field in 13 games, but was rarely used in defensive situations. He racked up a total of five tackles in those 13 games.
With a little more than $27 million in cap space, the Lions have the opportunity to make a splash in the free agent market. Another external option at the cornerback position would be Malcolm Butler, who played the first four seasons of his professional career with the New England Patriots. New head coach Matt Patricia said that he has an “extremely strong” relationship with Butler, whom he coached for those four seasons in New England, but it remains to be seen if the Lions will make a move for either Sherman or Butler.
For his career, Sherman has appeared in 105 games. He registered 286 tackles, five forced fumbles, 32 interceptions, and has scored two touchdowns.
