Before signing with the San Francisco 49ers in March, cornerback Richard Sherman spent the first seven years of his NFL career with the Seattle Seahawks. Amid a major roster overhaul, Sherman is one of numerous starters on the 2017 defense who won’t be returning to Seattle.
Michael Bennett was traded to the Eagles, Cliff Avril and Kam Chancellor have likely played their last football games because of neck injuries, and Earl Thomas is holding out of activities pending a contract extension.
But Seattle isn’t just parting ways with key players during their sweeping changes. The Seahawks have also revamped their coaching staff, replacing the offensive and defensive coordinators and offensive line coach, to name a few, in what appears to be an attempt at a fresh start.
“It’s just unfortunate. It’s really unfortunate,” Sherman told Sports Illustrated’s Robert Klemko. “I think it’ll all come out when they do the 30 for 30. Mistakes and poor judgment on things ruined what could have been a really special deal. You don’t have much left right now. And to say you’re not going to pay Earl Thomas is just . . . there’s no decline in play there. He’s played the game the right way. Who do you have to pay? You have the two best linebackers in the game. You have the quarterback. You have a great wide receiver in Doug [Baldwin]. And you’re paying Duane Brown.”
A former leader in Seattle’s locker room, Sherman sees the changes from a distance now. Never one to shy away from the spotlight, Sherman continues to sound off on the Seahawks, who are now a division rival.
“They’ve lost their way. It’s as simple as that,” Sherman continued. “They’ve just lost their way. When you make too many mistakes over a long period of time, you kind of dig yourself a hole. And then when you backtrack, you gotta make a bunch of rash decisions to try and fill the hole and hope that it holds up.”
An original member of Seattle’s “Legion of Boom” secondary, Sherman was a valued contributor to a team that went to back-to-back Super Bowls and seemed to be on the verge of a dynasty. During that time, Sherman was selected to the AP All-Pro first team three times and the Pro Bowl squad four straight seasons.
“When we were rolling it was an environment for pure competitor,” Sherman said. “Then it becomes something else, then it’s more difficult to thrive in, and I think that’s what was tough on Earl, that’s what was tough on a lot of guys. But I think as it kind of progressed, you start seeing the writing on the wall. You’re like, ‘Not only are they probably moving in a different direction,’ but it’s like, ‘Ah, well, I kind of want to move in a different direction, too.’ So it happens like that. All great things must come to an end, I guess.”
With Sherman and so many other familiar faces no longer with the Seahawks, Seattle will have a whole new look this season. But the former fan favorite has moved on.
“I’m not even going to worry about it now,” Sherman said. “I’ve got bigger fish to fry.”
