Richard Sherman unites with former rival Tom Brady at Buccaneers | Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Richard Sherman has signed a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are in dire need of backup in high school. He trained for the Bucs on Tuesday and met general manager Jason Licht and head coach Bruce Arians.

The five-time All-Pro had been in contact with the Arians and quarterback Tom Brady earlier this month, the coach said. Sherman confirmed these conversations on the Richard Sherman podcast.

“I left with the best offer I had, the best opportunity to go out there and put in some good bands, to lead another band,” Sherman said. “I feel comfortable and confident in my ability to go out there, execute and help this team win.”

Sherman said a phone call with Brady helped close the deal. “He’s the all-time great quarterback reaching out, and every time he makes that call it’s a very difficult opportunity to pass up,” Sherman said.

The cornerback ran into Brady early in his career when he posted a photo of himself and the quarterback on social media with the caption “U mad bro?” after helping the Seattle Seahawks beat Brady and the New England Patriots.

Since entering the NFL at Stanford as a fifth-round pick in 2011, Sherman has led the NFL with 36 interceptions. Three of those picks came in one game against Brady. He played 139 regular season games with the Seahawks (2011-2017) and 49ers (2018-20). He also played 15 playoff games.

“We have to see,” Arians said of his previous conversations with Sherman. “Just a matter of coaching those we have and leaving [Licht] handle the rest. We’re also going to pump up other guys’ tires. … If this is the right fit, we’ll move on.

Sherman’s former teams – the Seahawks and 49ers – also made contact with Sherman, he said, as did the Carolina Panthers.

Tampa Bay cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting was injured in Week 1 and was placed on the injured list with a dislocated elbow. His replacement, Jamel Dean, left last week’s first quarter loss to the Rams with a knee injury.

Sherman pleaded not guilty to five counts of misdemeanor in mid-July following his arrest for allegedly attempting to break into his in-laws’ home. Sherman was charged with impaired driving, resisting arrest, endangering road workers and two counts of domestic violence – second degree criminal trespassing and third degree malicious mischief. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Friday in Washington. Sherman, 33, has been in therapy since the incident, according to the NFL Network.