The Seattle Seahawks have signed Richard Sherman to a long-term contract extension. Sherman broke the news himself on Twitter.
Richard Sherman, Seahawks expected to announce long-term contract extension
The Seahawks will make Richard Sherman the highest-paid cornerback in the league.
Otto Greule Jr
New contract signed! Great moment for my family & foundation. #LOB #12s #Seahawks #Respect http://t.co/dVYWrRaYYq pic.twitter.com/85xhN9pyhG
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) May 7, 2014 Sherman also revealed the terms of the extension on his website -- an additional four years and $57.4 million with $40 million guaranteed, making him the highest paid cornerback in the NFL.
Sherman was set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2015, but after a fast rise to NFL stardom, the Seahawks were understandably adverse to letting him test the market. Sherman made a little more than $2.2 million over his first four seasons in the NFL.
After being selected in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL Draft, Sherman has since become perhaps the best cornerback in the league. He was name a first-team All-Pro in 2012 and 2013, and led the NFL in interceptions last season while helping lead the Seahawks to a Super Bowl title.
Sherman made his name despite his lack of top-end speed so coveted in cornerbacks. He made up for it in guile and physicality. At 6’3, 195 pounds, Sherman is perhaps the new prototype for elite corners -- big enough to tangle with wide receivers who also seem to be growing bigger.
In signing Sherman to a long-term deal, the Seahawks also secure a player who has become a face of the franchise. Sherman was a somewhat controversial figure at times, no more so than when he went on a post-game rant against San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree following the NFC Championship Game.
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