Richard Sherman Signs in Tampa Bay With Court Battle Ongoing

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are upgrading their defense as the team has signed the best free agent left on the market, cornerback Richard Sherman.

The five-time Pro Bowl corner is expected to be available for Sunday's game against the New England Patriots and joins the Bucs after having contract talks with the likes of the San Francisco 49ers, Carolina Panthers and Seattle Seahawks. The deal in Tampa is for one year at $2.25 million.

If Sherman can still get it done at 33, he's going to be a force for the Buccaneers who were looking to make some upgrades on the defensive side of the ball. The team has been hammered with injuries to their corner group, so adding Sherman will go a long way for the team.

Sherman had this to say on his next career move:

Everything has been kind of wiry this offseason, but I finally had enough conversations, and I came to a decision that I’m going to go play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Obviously, with our situations, it didn’t seem likely at any point in time, but he reached out and said (the Bucs) may express interest. And obviously, he wanted to play with me

The deal didn't come without some contest. Sherman was arrested in July for trying to forcefully enter his in-laws' house and he was initially charged with burglary domestic violence which has since been downgraded to a misdemeanor of criminal trespass. He's facing several other charges as well, pleading not guilty to all of them.  Tom Brady doesn't care, he just wants to win.

Photo credit:  Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports