1. New England Patriots

During the 2010s, the Patriots took chances on several veteran cornerbacks and hit the jackpot with most of them. Sherman could become the latest corner to experience a career resurgence on Bill Belichick’s team.

In 2012, the Patriots traded for Tampa Bay’s controversial corner, Aqib Talib, in the middle of the season. The following year, Talib earned a Second-Team All-Pro selection and made the first of five consecutive Pro Bowls.

In 2014, New England signed Darrell Revis to a one-year deal. He received the first First-Team All-Pro selection of his career since 2011 and won the Super Bowl.

Sherman isn’t rebounding from an injury or questionable play like Revis or Talib, but he fits the mold of players the Patriots bring in on short-term deals.

Sherman turns 33 next offseason, which likely means he won’t receive a contract from a winning team that’s longer than two years. The Patriots might not even have a winning football team assembled in 2021, but this pairing feels natural.

There’s also the draw of lining Sherman up alongside Stephon Gilmore. While Gilmore won the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year award, Sherman earned a Second-Team All-Pro selection. The former Seahawk also came in first in Pro Football Focus’ list of the top 25 cornerbacks through Week 17.

With Tom Brady gone, the Patriots must rely on their defense more than in past seasons. Adding Sherman on a short-term contract might pry the team’s Super Bowl window open for another year or two.