Richard Sherman was a member of the Seattle Seahawks for seven seasons. This offseason, Seattle released Sherman, four months after rupturing his Achilles. Shockingly, the four time All-Pro signed with the 49ers, a team that had seen Sherman as public enemy number one for the better part of a decade.
For the first time since making the move, Sherman spoke candidly about his time in Seattle in a wide-ranging interview with Robert Klemko of Sports Illustrated. In the piece, Sherman talks about what he perceives as the deterioration of a championship culture in Seattle, and points specifically to the handling of All-Pro Earl Thomas as an example of the organization’s poor judgement.
“They’ve lost their way. It’s as simple as that. 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.
“When we were rolling, it was an environment for pure competitors. When it becomes something else, then it’s more difficult to thrive in, and I think that’s what was tough on Earl [Thomas]; 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.
“I’m not even going to worry about it now. I’ve got bigger fish to fry.”
The Seahawks defense underwent a massive overhaul this offseason, with the loss of Sherman coinciding with the retirement of Kam Chancellor, and trading of Michael Bennett. Thomas is the only member of the Legion of Boom that remains, but questions surround his future with the team, as the Seahawks have seemed unwilling to negotiate a long-term deal with the five-time All-Pro.
“It’s just unfortunate. It’s really unfortunate. 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.”
The Seahawks missed the playoffs last season for the first time since 2011, and are projected by some Vegas oddsmakers to finish third in the NFC West this season.