Patriots Rumors: Is Richard Sherman really an option for New England?

The New England Patriots’ defense will be hoping to return to its dominant ways next season after it was very much an average group in 2002.

That will likely hinge on the play of their secondary, which is arguably the most talented level of their defense and has best-in-the-league potential.

Despite that, however, the Patriots are rumored to be keen on adding yet another starting-caliber player to their cornerback room.

According to insider CJ Golson, New England has had discussions with Richard Sherman, who remains unsigned as spring practices get underway around the league.

While we certainly don’t hate the idea of signing a proven winner in Sherman, we can’t help but wonder if he’s actually an option for the Patriots.

Is Richard Sherman a realistic signing for the Patriots?

The timing of this rumor is pretty peculiar, as Sherman, a former fifth-round pick who turned out to be one of the best cornerbacks of his generation (that’s not hyperbole), admitted just a few weeks ago that the Patriots almost drafted him back in 2011.

The only kicker is that Sherman would reportedly only sign with the Patriots if an “outside starting spot” was up for grabs and we just don’t know if that’s the case. After all, they already have Stephon Gilmore and JC Jackson manning down the top two spots.

It’s worth noting Jackson only started 11 games last season and just six games in 2019, but you have to think he’s in for a bigger role after he tallied nine interceptions, 13 passes defended and a 69.5 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus in 2020. He’ll also be playing for a new contract.

On top of that, the Patriots have Jalen Mills, who they signed to a four-year, $24 million deal this offseason and he’ll likely play more cornerback assuming the likes of Devin McCourty and Kyle Dugger handle the majority of snaps at the safety position.

You also can’t discredit someone like Jonathan Jones. Not only did he earn an 80.8 coverage grade last season, but he had a 91.6 grade on targets of 20 or more yards downfield and an 82.8 grade in the fourth quarter, meaning he turned his game up a notch in crunch time.

So, what’s the final verdict? Though we’d have no problem getting behind the idea of signing Sherman, it’s just hard to picture a scenario in which the Patriots can fulfill his reported demand of needing a starting job at cornerback.

That, of course, could change in a heartbeat if New England was to shop one of its young cornerbacks (Julio Jones, anyone?), but right now Sherman to Foxborough just seems like a pipe dream, especially since he was limited to just five games last year with a calf injury.

Either way, this rumor is definitely something worth monitoring moving forward.

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