Why the Steelers can and should sign Richard Sherman

The Pittsburgh Steelers still have a need at cornerback and one of the best is available.

I’m writing this with an understanding that the Steelers have very minimal cap space. There are some players that I think we could restructure to give enough cap room to make this kind of signing happen. We will get to that later.

Richard Sherman is still one of the best cornerbacks in the league. He is still one of the best in the league, even at 32 yrs old, in man-to-man coverage. Sherman also has a knack for making a big play. He is very good at baiting quarterbacks into throwing the ball towards him, before hauling in a pick.

Why the Steelers should make a hard push at signing Sherman

Sherman fits the Steelers defensive scheme beautifully. Pittsburgh has been finding a lot of success in running very man-heavy schemes in recent years and Sherman would be an immediate fit for the black and gold. We saw that Cameron Sutton can play both inside and outside – allowing Sherman to operate on the outside. Having the two of them would allow the Steelers to keep the 32-year-old Sherman off of some of the speedier threats we will have to contain in 2021.

Having to face guys like Marquise Brown, Tyreek Hill, D.K Metcalf, and even Bengals rookie Ja’marr Chase could pose problems for a guy like Sherman or Haden at their age. Yet, Cam Sutton can help remedy this so the Steelers can still make use of Sherman and Haden in their schemes. Meanwhile, the Steelers need a verifiable cornerback to round out their starting lineup and Sherman is a fit.

Sherman plays with an intensity and chip on his shoulder that will only add to the leadership on the team and fit the culture in Pittsburgh’s defense. The Steelers have lost veterans on both sides of the ball and adding another established vet would only help the cause as Pittsburgh is making another Super Bowl push.