Butler or Sherman?

Former Patriots executive Michael Lombardi mentioned on The Ringer podcast “The NFL Show” that the Seahawks would be open to trading CB Richard Sherman for the right deal.

“I truly believe based on what I hear around the National Football League that the Seahawks would in fact for the right deal trade Richard Sherman,” Lombardi said.

Lombardi makes the case that the Saints, who have met with Patriots restricted free agent Malcolm Butler, would be better off pursuing a trade for Sherman, who would actually fit the kind of defense they want to play.

A big consideration for New Orleans brought up by Lombardi is that signing Butler would require a long-term deal that comes with an annual salary of $13-14 million and cost the Saints a draft pick when they could draft a young cornerback to develop or consider a trade for Sherman.

This is based on what Lombardi’s hearing, so it’s hard to say just how willing Seattle would actually be to trade their top cornerback. In the past, Seattle hasn’t shied away from making notable trades, but they’re usually the ones acquiring the notable player such as the Jimmy Graham and Percy Harvin deals.