Aug 30, 2020; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman (25) walks to the field during training camp at SAP Performance Facility. Mandatory Credit: San Francisco 49ers/Pool Photo via USA TODAY Network
NFLBy Sean Keeley on

There has been a lot of speculation the last couple of weeks about where free agent corner Richard Sherman might sign this NFL season. He certainly received a lot of interest but in the end, Sherman went to the team that likely gives him the best chance to win another Super Bowl.

Sherman announced Wednesday morning on the debut episode of his podcast that he had signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“I went with the best offer I had, the best opportunity to go out there and put some tape on, to lead another group,” Sherman said. “I feel comfortable and confident in my abilities to go out there and execute and help that team win.”

Sherman said that he even got pitched by Tampa quarterback Tom Brady, which played a role in his decision-making.

“This was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up,” Sherman said. “I weighed all the options with my wife and my family and this is what we came up with. So I’m ready to strap them back up and go out there and show these old legs still got some juice.”

Adam Schefter reported that the two sides signed a one-year deal.

Bruce Arians admitted that the Bucs were reaching out to Sherman last week as they looked to shore up their defensive backfield. Sherman said that he also received interest with the San Francisco 49ers (whom he played for last year), the Carolina Panthers (who just traded for C.J. Henderson), and the Seattle Seahawks.

The 33-year-old Sherman brings a ton of experience with him to a very young backfield. The five-time Pro Bowl and All-Pro corner will provide strong tackling ability, something that has been lacking in that department for the Bucs’ secondary.

However, Sherman is also dealing with some legal issues off the field that need to be sorted. An arrest in July led to him being charged with five misdemeanors, including two counts of domestic violence. He has pled not guilty and apologized for the incident. Before that in February, King County obtained an “extreme risk protection order” for Sherman, which bars him from owning guns after it was deemed he posed a danger to himself and others.

Sherman said last week that he felt like his play on the field should mean more than a “momentary lapse in judgment.”

“I’ve got a decade worth of résumé that should stand more firmly than a momentary lapse in judgment. I’ve got a decade of character and tape to be judged off of. If you’re judging me off of a momentary lapse, I’m probably not the player for you either way,” Sherman said.

ESPN’s Ed Werder reported on Tuesday that Sherman believes he needs a week or two to be ready to play in a game, so it’s highly unlikely he’ll be in uniform when the Bucs take on the New England Patriots this Sunday. However, he is already back at practice so who knows…

However things turn out in Tampa this season, the reactions to Sherman signing with the Bucs are already rolling in, ranging from excitement over what he can do on the field to concern over what happened off the field.

[Richard Sherman Podcast]

About Sean Keeley

Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Editorial Strategy Director for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.

View all posts by Sean Keeley