New England Patriots Rumors: Potential Richard Sherman Deal Shot Down

Any hope of Richard Sherman joining the New England Patriots through a trade has been dimmed…for now.

Just a day after Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald reported that the New England Patriots still have interest in a trade for Seattle Seahawks Pro-Bowl cornerback Richard Sherman, a source reported to Mike Giardi of CSNNE.com that the team is not pursuing a trade for one of the league’s top defensive backs.

Conflicting reports seem to always appear when rumors of this caliber surface, so don’t be surprised if the Sherman to New England possibility comes up again.

The source told Giardi that the situation is basically depending on the status of Malcolm Butler. The restricted free agent, although a bit disgruntled due to his current contract situation, is beginning to lean towards signing his tender and playing himself towards a big contract at the end of next season.

Butler has until April 21 to sign an offer sheet with another team. The Patriots can decide to match that offer or refuse. In doing so, they would acquire the first-round pick of the team he signed the sheet with.

As of now, there has been no other team (although the New Orleans Saints have expressed interest) and appears a high possibility that it will be Stephon Gilmore and Malcolm Butler holding down the cornerback spots in 2017.

Feb 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler (21) against the Atlanta Falcons during Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

To go back to Howe’s report, if the Patriots end up losing Butler, the Richard Sherman deal then would be revisited by the team.

Either way, it looks as though Bill Belichick is preparing to enter the season with two top corners and not just Gilmore.

Richard Sherman or Malcolm Butler?

If the New England Patriots do find themselves in the position to make a decision on whether to keep Butler or trade for Richard Sherman, what situation would make more sense for the team?

More from New England Patriots

In Thursday’s episode of Undisputed, Skip Bayless and Shannon Sharpe reacted to the current rumors. While Sharpe argued that Malcolm Butler would make more sense for the Patriots to hold on to, Bayless labeled Sherman as a “great fit,” which says a lot since he is not the biggest fan of Sherman off the field.

"“I’ll take Richard Sherman right now over Malcolm Butler,” Bayless stated on the show, via Fox Sports. “Money or no money. If the money is a wash as far as their cap goes, if they can fit him in right now after all the great moves they pulled off in the offseason – obviously Brandin Cooks, and they kept Hightower, Dwayne Allen…If you can start at corner Stephon Gilmore, the most valuable corner out there in the free agent market, and Richard Sherman, arguably the best corner in pro football or one of the top three, you’re dominating on defense next year.”"

They would dominate on defense with Butler still in the mix as well. But, Sherman in New England sure does sound intriguing.

Next: Breaking Down The NFL Draft Process and How A Team Develops a Big Board

For more rumors, news and roster updates on your favorite NFL team, keep it locked here at Chowder and Champions.

Home/New England Patriots