Richard Sherman Podcast - NFL Trade Deadline: Seahawks add Rashid Shaheed, Jets TRADE Quinnen Williams & Sauce Gardner?! | Richard Sherman REACTS

Date: November 8, 2025
Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Host: Richard Sherman

Episode Overview

In this incisive trade deadline episode, Richard Sherman dives into the biggest moves and surprises across the NFL, with special focus on the Seattle Seahawks' acquisition of Rasheed Shaheed and the New York Jets' all-in fire sale—parting ways with both franchise defenders Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner. Sherman offers his candid insights as a former NFL cornerback, exploring fit, front office rationale, and the implications for the teams involved. The episode is fast-paced, loaded with authentic player perspective, and heavy on context around why these deals went down—plus some hard truths for struggling franchises and hopeful projections for new contenders.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Seattle Seahawks Land Rasheed Shaheed

[03:27 – 07:25]

• Sherman is effusive about the Seahawks’ addition of “speedster” Rasheed Shaheed from the New Orleans Saints.
  • Praises Shaheed’s “next level speed,” calling him “a legitimate deep threat in this National Football League.”
  • Emphasizes the impact on defensive strategies, noting that teams can no longer play man coverage as liberally.
• Calls this “one of the perfect trades of this trade deadline,” arguing Shaheed’s skill set is an ideal cultural and schematic fit for Seattle.
• Points out Shaheed’s familiarity with Seattle’s system thanks to OC Clint Kubiak, who coached him in New Orleans.

“If you don’t know this guy, you’re gonna be really positively surprised at the impact that he can make each and every game and each and every week, even when he’s not getting the ball. The pressure that he puts on the defense...by the time you’re aware of him, he’s running past you.”
– Richard Sherman [04:59]

• Credits Seattle GM John Schneider and HC Mike Macdonald for striking at the right time, as New Orleans eyes the draft rather than playoffs.

2. Jets' Blockbuster Fire Sale: Sauce Gardner & Quinnen Williams Gone

[07:25 – 17:00]

a) Sauce Gardner to the Colts

• Sherman shocked Jets traded two All-Pros and “franchise pillars.”
• Admits he understands getting “two first round picks for a corner is really, really, that's generous,” using Jalen Ramsey-to-Rams as precedent for massive cornerback trades.

“There are very few corners that you can justify trading two first round picks for…I can understand the logic in trading Sauce Gardner for two first round picks. I don’t understand the logic from the Colts.”
– Richard Sherman [08:42]

• Envisions Sauce as a strong fit for Colts DC Lou Anarumo, but still calls it “a bit of an overpay.”
• Notes historic rarity: Only the second time since 1990 an in-season player was traded for two first-round picks.
• Outlines Sauce’s statistical impact for the year (15 tackles, 6 PBUs, no INTs), predicting a possible turnaround in Indy.
• Reveals that receiver Adonai Mitchell was also sent to the Jets in the deal due to costly mistakes in Indy.

b) Quinnen Williams to the Cowboys

[14:46 – 18:20]

• Cowboys use draft capital from Micah Parsons trade and a second-rounder to land dominant DT Quinnen Williams.
• Sherman says Williams is “exactly what Dallas needs,” rounding out a defensive line with Kenny Clark.

“Quinnen Williams is exactly what they need. He’s done a great job against the run and he’s a ferocious pass rusher…There’s a reason he’s been All-Pro, even on not great defenses.”
– Richard Sherman [15:03]

• Attributes Jets’ willingness to sell to internal discontent post-Aaron Rodgers.
• Suggests Dallas's season has been a disaster, but views these moves as attempting to “re-establish culture.”
• However, warns Cowboys to fix coverage issues and that “building blocks” alone don’t equal immediate success.

c) New York Jets’ Direction

• Sherman criticizes the Jets’ quarterback development history and lays out their priorities:
  • Build offensive line to protect their (eventual) new quarterback.
  • Replace key pieces lost (corner, defensive linemen, etc).

“If I’m the Jets front office and I got all these picks in the next couple years, start just building a good team…But that hasn’t been the case for a lot of these quarterbacks the Jets have picked up.”
– Richard Sherman [16:48]

3. Other Deadline Moves Across the League

[19:30 – 21:10]

• San Francisco 49ers’ additions: Keion White and Clelin Ferrell—good moves, but Sherman notes they didn’t overpay for edge talent.
• Philadelphia Eagles acquire Jalen Phillips from Miami for a third-rounder, which Sherman calls “steep…for a guy who’s on his contract year,” but justifiable if they win a Super Bowl.
  • Praises Eagles GM Howie Roseman’s track record.
• Miami Dolphins in full “fire sale” mode, but Sherman thought even more players would move.
• Contextualizes the deadline statistically:
  • Tied for most in-season player trades in 25 years.
  • Most first-rounders dealt in-season in 25 years.

4. Hard Rock TNF Prediction: Raiders at Broncos

[21:10 – 22:55]

• Sherman takes the Broncos -9 over the Raiders.
• Notes the Raiders’ depleted roster and tough matchup against Denver’s defense.

“The Raiders have struggled, struggled mightily this year…with that kind of pass rush, this is going to be a long day.”
– Richard Sherman [21:59]

• Context on Raider’s season (trading away Jacoby Myers, Geno Smith’s turnover troubles) and predicts an uphill battle.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Seattle’s trade for Shaheed:

  “I think this is going to be a great trade for the Seahawks and it’s going to work for both sides…it changes the way people are going to defend Seattle.”
  [03:43]

• On the logic of big cornerback trades:

  “There are very few corners you can justify trading two first round picks for…and I’m a former NFL corner. The Rams did it for Jalen Ramsey, won a Super Bowl—you can feel justified.”
  [08:30]

• On Quinnen Williams’ impact in Dallas:

  “You want to build a great defense, you get great players. But you still got to get guys back there covering in the back end…these are building blocks, but right now this has been a disaster of a season.”
  [17:35]

• On the Jets’ long-term future:

  “Quarterback, tackle, corner. Those are your first things. Some of them you can draft, some you can pick up in free agency. We’ll see.”
  [17:00]

Episode Flow & Engagement

• Sherman’s tone is both incisive and conversational, blending ex-player knowledge with relatable analogies.
• He pulls no punches—pointing out overpays, front office missteps, and player fits with authority.
• The episode is rich in context for fans who want not just a “who moved where,” but an assessment of what those moves mean for each team’s identity and future.

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |-------------------------------------------------------------|:--------------:| | Seahawks Add Rasheed Shaheed - Impact & Fit | 03:27 – 07:25 | | Jets Trade Sauce Gardner to Colts (plus Adonai Mitchell) | 07:25 – 13:09 | | Cowboys Land Quinnen Williams from Jets | 14:46 – 18:20 | | Jets’ Fire Sale & Rebuild Strategy | 16:00 – 18:20 | | 49ers/Eagles/Dolphins & League-wide Trade Context | 19:30 – 21:10 | | Hard Rock TNF Prediction (Raiders at Broncos) | 21:10 – 22:55 |

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode is a must for anyone wanting more than just a list of NFL trade deadline deals—Sherman’s deep dive into why front offices pulled the trigger, and how new pieces slot into their teams, brings real insight from a player’s perspective. Standout trades like Shaheed to the Seahawks, Sauce Gardner’s blockbuster move, and foundational shifts for both the Jets and Cowboys are all broken down with strong opinions and predictive context.

Skip this one if you’re just looking for headlines; tune in if you want to understand what these trades might actually mean for the NFL landscape.