Veteran cornerback Richard Sherman is currently a free agent after parting ways with the San Francisco 49ers earlier this offseason. Sherman has said that he would wait until the NFL Draft passed before signing with a team.
Now that the draft is behind us, we could find out where Sherman will be playing his 11th professional season. His potential landing spot has become one of the top stories to track in NFL rumors.
READ MORE: NFL Rumors: Richard Sherman could return to San Francisco 49ers
Several teams have been connected to Sherman, as he shared during an appearance on ESPN’s First Take. The New Orleans Saints, Seattle Seahawks and 49ers were the teams he mentioned.
While it makes sense for those teams to be connected to Sherman, they are not the only ones who should be talking with him. Here are three teams that should consider signing Richard Sherman for this season.
New York Jets
The New York Jets are rebuilding, so a veteran like Sherman could write them off if he wants to play for a team closer to contending. However, his old defensive coordinator with the 49ers, Robert Saleh, is now the Jets head coach so that could be enticing.
Sherman would help the whole Jets defense adapt and learn Saleh’s playbook and what he wants to be done defensively. There is also a need on the team at cornerback, where they are very inexperienced.
New York currently has only one cornerback on the roster with more than two years of NFL experience; Justin Hardee. The projected starters right now are 2019 sixth-round pick, Bless Austin and 2020 fifth-round pick, Bryce Hall.
Sherman would bring much-needed experience and leadership to this defensive backfield.
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers have a huge problem to fix in regards to Aaron Rodgers and that has become the top story in NFL rumors as of late. Their status as contenders relies on him being under center for the team, which looks less and less likely to happen. Another major area of need is in the defensive backfield.
Anyone that watched the NFC Championship Game knows the Packers need an upgrade in their secondary. Jaire Alexander is a lockdown corner on one side of the field, but teams pick on whoever is opposite of him. Kevin King surrendered two touchdowns in the game, the second of which was inexcusable right before halftime.
The team re-signed him and drafted Eric Stokes in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, but relying on either of them to lock down the field opposite Alexander is risky. Sherman would provide the Packers with some solace knowing they finally have a strong partner opposite Alexander.
Despite being 33 and entering his 11th season, Sherman represents a massive upgrade for Green Bay.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders have improved steadily under Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock. However, they are in a loaded division, as the Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos all have explosive offenses. To slow them down, Las Vegas needs a good secondary, and right now, their cornerbacks leave a lot to be desired.
2020 first-round pick Damon Arnette left a lot to be desired as a rookie and Trayvon Mullen wasn’t much better. Casey Hayward Jr. was brought in, but the Raiders should consider going all in and adding Sherman as well.
The Chiefs have arguably the best offense in the NFL. The Chargers, with Justin Herbert under center, are up and coming. The Broncos, while they have questions at quarterback, have a very strong group of skill position players that will be tough to slow down.
Further shoring up the secondary, specifically the cornerback spot, makes sense for the Raiders after revamping their safety depth chart in the 2021 NFL Draft.
