Report: Sherman, Seahawks to part Friday

Three-time All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman will be released by the Seattle Seahawks on Friday, saving the team $11 million against the 2018 salary cap.

According to Sherman, who is acting as his own agent, the timing of the transaction was determined Wednesday during a face-to-face meeting with general manager John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll.

The move gives Sherman a head start on free agency. Once his release is official, he can meet with and sign a contract to play for any team in the league.

NFL Network reported both sides are open to Sherman returning under a new contract.

Sherman ended last season on injured reserve after surgery to repair a ruptured right Achilles. He had a second surgery to remove bone spurs in January.

Sherman, who will turn 30 later this month, was entering the final year of his contract.

The team said Wednesday as word spread of the meeting that it would have no announcement, but Seahawks defenders Jeremy Lane and Kam Chancellor went online to post tributes to Sherman.

Beverly Sherman, his mother, also posted on Facebook, saying, "I am more than devastated to know that my son will no longer be a Seahawk."

Sherman suffered the first significant injury of his career last season, tearing his Achilles on Nov. 9 to end his season as well as a streak of 99 consecutive starts.

NFL Network's Michael Silver reported Wednesday that the Seahawks are "open for business" with safety Earl Thomas -- also entering the final year of his contract -- if a large trade offer comes along.

Seattle has already accelerated a restructuring of its defense this offseason, with Kam Chancellor and Cliff Avril unlikely to return following neck injuries and Michael Bennett traded to the Philadelphia Eagles on Wednesday. Per Silver, the Seahawks plan to build around Russell Wilson on offense and Bobby Wagner on defense moving forward.

--Field Level Media