Everyone knows that the NFL is a passing league, more so than it ever has been before.
As such, it has become more important than ever for teams to bolster their secondary in order to stop throws down the field.
While he’s definitely not the player he was with the Seattle Seahawks several years ago, cornerback Richard Sherman can still be a viable piece for an NFL defense.
Great times lol https://t.co/1oaO4kgqSy
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) March 30, 2021
Durability will be the biggest concern for his suitors, as he only played in five games for the San Francisco 49ers last year. But his acumen and experience is something that many teams might find valuable.
As the potential future Hall of Famer remains unsigned, let’s take a look at three teams who should be trying to get in contact in order to sign him to a deal.
Los Angeles Chargers
Let’s face the facts for a moment.
Any time you’re in the same division as the Kansas City Chiefs, there needs to be an intense focus placed on how to stop Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce, Mecole Hardman, and the rest of their speedy gang.
After an encouraging 2020 season, the Los Angeles Chargers are looking to take the next step in 2021, and could use as much experience and insurance on defense as they can get their hands on.
Cornerback Chris Harris will be an important X factor for Los Angeles at cornerback, and 26-year-old Michael Davis will need to step up as well.
Having Sherman around to tutor, spell, or even play in the slot next to those players will make the Chargers a deep and dangerous team down the stretch.
Looks like a lot of Dogs…. not even including the undrafted @ChrisHarrisJr and @DougBaldwinJr https://t.co/jaZRX7LUmf
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) April 29, 2021
New York Jets
At this stage of his NFL career, it would take a look of convincing for Sherman to sign with a team that doesn’t have a chance to make the playoffs, or win the Super Bowl.
The New York Jets don’t exactly fit either mold for the 2021 season, but the fit for the veteran might be as good as he’ll find anywhere outside of Seattle.
Sherman spent three years playing under new Jets head coach Robert Saleh in San Francisco when he was their defensive coordinator.
With the exception of a down year health-wise in 2020, Sherman was largely an asset for the Saleh-led defense.
He won’t transform a porous Jets secondary into a world-beater by himself, but he’ll be well versed in the schemes New York’s head coach will deploy.
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts aren’t a team that needs to call Sherman by any stretch—they already have a great defense overall, and a solid secondary.
But they should still call him.
Indianapolis’ secondary should largely be able to coast for six division games this year, as neither the Tennessee Titans, Jacksonville Jaguars or Houston Texans are expected to have high-powered passing attacks this year.
Sherman won’t need to exert himself on high-energy snaps each week, which will leave him fresh for the playoffs, when the Colts figure to face stiffer competition.
While it is certainly more of a luxury than a need, Sherman’s ability to jump a route while Darius Leonard and the front seven raise chaos inside could make a huge difference in January.
