Richard Sherman says he'll be released by Seahawks; Jeremy Lane also out

Richard Sherman will be released by the after seven seasons with the team, Sherman told KIRO Radio on Friday.

Also later on Friday, the Seahawks announced they released cornerback Jeremy Lane, ending his six-year run with Seattle. Lane was a sixth-round pick in 2012 and started 21 of his 70 games with the Seahawks. He finished with 146 tackles, two interceptions and 15 passes defended in six seasons. Lane also was on special teams.

The team released a statement Friday. Read it in full at this link or embedded below.

Original story:

Amid reports that the New England Patriots are eyeing Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman, Twitter buzzed with rumors, conflicting reports and speculation on Wednesday.

It comes as the Seahawks traded defensive lineman Michael Bennett and a seventh round draft pick to the Eagles in exchange a fifth round pick and another player,

Insider for the NFL Network Ian Rapoport reported, "Sherman has told teammates goodbye over the past 24 hours, sources say, and that he won’t be on the team. Those close to him say nothing is set in stone and there has been no official word. But clearly bears watching."

NFL.com posted the following on Wednesday:

"NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported that cornerback Richard Sherman has told teammates goodbye over the past 24 hours and that he doesn't expect to play for the Seahawks in 2018, per sources informed."

"There has been no official word yet."

"NFL Network's Tom Pelisero reported, per sources, that Sherman is set to meet with coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider this afternoon to discuss his future."

Rapoport posted later Wednesday that after meeting with the team, they are exploring trade options. Also, they could trade him or release him, or potentially keep him, according to Rapoport.

With no official word from the team, his family took to Facebook to weigh in.

"Well sadly the time has come," mother Beverly Sherman wrote. "I am more than devastated to know that my son will no longer be a Seahawk."

The post has since been deleted.

Cornerback Jeremy Lane added fuel to fire with, "That text message got my heart hurting ... damn 25 was my Dawg #WhatsNext."

All the while, tweets circulated from a satirical account — that mimic Rapoport's verified account — about a dramatic fallout. It falsely reported that Sherman started a physical fight with Carroll, and they had to be separated by staff members.

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For Seahwaks fans, Sherman has sparked a wide variety of headlines on and off the field since joining the team in 2011.

He's had sideline outbursts. He's gone viral for dressing up as Harry Potter at news conferences.He's threatened to ruin the career of a reporter. He's given back to the community in big ways -- like by hosting his celebrity softball game. And he's contributed to big Seahawk victories, like getting to the Super Bowl twice.

As a teammate, some say it doesn't get much better than Sherman.

"I think Richard Sherman is one of the best teammates I could ever ask for," quarterback Russell Wilson told KIRO 7 last summer. "I think he's going to be a Hall of Fame cornerback as well. I'm glad he's on our team."

Sherman has also voiced issues he's had with the NFL and its treatment of players. He was out for last season after rupturing his Achilles tendon during a Thursday night game, but he told an NFL reporter he'd be back on the field by June.

It's unclear what Sherman will do with the rest of 2018, as of early Wednesday afternoon.

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