Browns not expected to ‘heavily pursue’ 49ers CB Richard Sherman

CJ McCollum may end up disappointed. The NBA player had campaigned for the Cleveland Browns to pursue San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman. McCollum is a Browns fan, and Sherman seemed open to the idea.

The fit seemed plausible. It would reunite Sherman with his former 49ers defensive backs coach, Joe Woods, now the Browns' defensive coordinator. It doesn't sound like the Browns have a significant interest in adding a soon-to-be 33-year-old cornerback, though.

Cleveland.com reporter Mary Kay Cabot reports that the Browns are not expected to "heavily pursue" Sherman. Of course, that wording does leave the possibility open.

"The Browns are counting on starting cornerback Greedy Williams to return from the nerve damage in his shoulder, and they'll likely try to re-sign his 2020 replacement Terrance Mitchell and slot corner Kevin Johnson," wrote Cabot. "In addition, they'll look to add other cornerbacks, either through the draft, free agency, a trade. In the case of the latter two, they'll likely look for a younger cornerback than Sherman, who will be 33 next month."

Sherman will likely seek a two-year deal with a contender or a team that could become one in the next couple of years. He recently told ESPN's Stephen A. Smith that he doesn't expect to play beyond the 2022 season.

"I only want to play two more (seasons)," Sherman said. "I want to get on a competitive team. I think I still have a lot to give to the game. I think I still have a lot that I want to accomplish, and I think I can go out there and help a defense come together like it should, and reach their potential, reach the heights that the defenses that I've played on have reached.

"... After two years, I think I'm going to shut it down, regardless, because I'm sure I'll still get calls, I'm sure people will still want to see if I have interest. I think two more years and I'll be content where I'm at."

One option could be the Las Vegas Raiders. Head coach Jon Gruden recently ignored the risk of tampering allegations and pitched the idea to Sherman during a podcast interview.

"Richard Sherman, if you are a free agent, which there is a rumor you are, we are looking for an alpha presence in our secondary," Gruden told Sherman. "Somebody that could play this Hawk 3-press technique with the read step. If you're available and interested, maybe you and I can get together at some point off-air."

Sherman is a fan of Raiders defensive coordinator Gus Bradley. The two worked together in Seattle during the cornerback's first two seasons in the NFL.

"There's a conversation to be had, for sure," Sherman responded to Gruden.