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Detroit Lions

Richard Sherman says he turned down Detroit Lions' offer, didn't like team's 'culture'

Kirkland Crawford
Detroit Free Press

Give the Detroit Lions credit for this, at least: They are trying.

Right after hiring Matt Patricia as head coach in 2018, the team tried to acquire star tight end Rob Gronkowski from the Patriots.

The superstar threatened to retire if he was traded to Detroit, the the deal was nixed.

That same offseason, the Lions tried to get another big name player with a championship pedigree.

Alas, they were thwarted again.

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49ers cornerback Richard Sherman, a two-time All-Pro and now-six-time Pro Bowler, was released by Seattle after the 2017 season. The free agent eventually signed a three-year deal with the Niners.

In Year 2 of that deal, Sherman, 31, is back in the Super Bowl, his third appearance after going 1-1 with the Seahawks.

On Monday, during the Super Bowl's Opening Night festivities, Sherman told The Athletic's Dave Lombardi why he signed with San Francisco.

“(49ers coach Kyle Shanahan’s) culture and the way he did things was very similar to how we did things in Seattle and what I was accustomed to,” Sherman said. “That made a huge difference. Hey, I can get this $20 million guaranteed and be in Detroit and lose football games. Or I can go to a place where I’m very comfortable with the scheme, coach and culture and I’m very comfortable with the things they do and I really believe we can win.”

Jan 27, 2020; Miami, FL, USA; San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman during Super Bowl LIV Opening Night at Marlins Park.  Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

It sounds like the Lions were all-in on getting Sherman. But with the Lions' history, they probably felt they had to overpay a once-dominant corner in what was thought to be his post-prime years.

But that wasn't enough. And Sherman seems to be as good as he's ever been.

Yet another loss for the Lions.

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