NY Jets not expected to sign Richard Sherman in free agency

The NY Jets are still desperately in need of cornerback help this offseason. But it seems as though one of their rumored top targets, Richard Sherman, isn’t a realistic possibility.

According to multiple reports, the Jets aren’t expected to sign Sherman this offseason, despite his connection to new head coach Robert Saleh who was Sherman’s defensive coordinator in San Francisco.

ESPN’s Rich Cimini reported on Sunday that he’d be “surprised” if the Jets signed Sherman. Meanwhile, uStadium reported that Sherman to the Jets is a “total longshot” and that it’s “highly doubtful.”

Sherman may have said quite a few complimentary things about Saleh and the Jets this offseason, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to make his way to New York.

Don’t expect the NY Jets to sign Richard Sherman

Sherman is one of the top cornerback names remaining on the market. After the likes of William Jackson III, Shaquill Griffin, and Kyle Fuller were signed, Sherman is one of the few true upgrades available.

A five-time Pro Bowler, Sherman has been one of the best cornerbacks in football over the past decade. He’s a surefire future Hall of Famer and will undoubtedly go down as one of the greatest defenders of his generation.

But even at 32-years-old, Sherman still has plenty left in the tank.

He put together what was arguably the best season of his entire career in 2019 when he finished as Pro Football Focus‘ No. 1 overall cornerback. This was despite being a 31-year-old just two years removed from an Achilles tear.

That said, he was limited to just five games in 2020 as a result of a calf injury. Still, it’s hard to argue that Sherman wouldn’t be an upgrade, at least in the short-term.

At the time of writing, the Jets’ starting cornerback trio is slated to be Bryce Hall, Blessuan Austin, and Javelin Guidry. That’s expected to change before the start of the 2021 season, but the options in free agency are dwindling.

The Jets will likely address the position in the 2021 NFL Draft, but signing a veteran in free agency would go a long way toward providing stability to the position.

After all, it helps to have at least one veteran in the defensive backfield.

However, don’t expect that veteran to be Richard Sherman, despite the numerous offseason rumors.