Gruden courts Sherman: Raiders want 'alpha presence' in secondary

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden offered a convincing sales pitch to impending free-agent cornerback Richard Sherman.

Gruden joined Sherman on "The Cris Collinsworth Podcast" on Tuesday and discussed how the San Francisco 49ers cornerback would be a great fit for the Raiders' defense.

"Richard Sherman, if you are a free agent, which there is a rumor you are, we are looking for an alpha presence in our secondary. Somebody that could play this Hawk 3-press technique with the read step. If you're available and interested, maybe you and I can get together at some point off-air," Gruden said.

Sherman seemed open to the idea, telling the Raiders head coach that "there is a conversation to be had, for sure."

The NFL prohibits coaches from tampering with players who are under contract with other teams. However, the league declined to comment on Gruden's podcast appearance, according to Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio.

The league fined the New York Jets $100,000 in 2015 for commenting on Darrelle Revis while he was still under contract with the New England Patriots. It also docked the Kansas City Chiefs two draft picks for being in contact with Jeremy Maclin before the start of free agency in 2015.

The biggest link between the 49ers cornerback and Raiders is defensive coordinator Gus Bradley. The Raiders recently hired Bradley as their defensive coordinator, and he previously coached Sherman with the Seattle Seahawks.

Sherman made his first All-Pro Team under Bradley during the 2012 season.

"Gus lives in it. Gus lives and dies by it. Eight-man box, you not going to be able to run the ball and we gon' stop the pass. He's one of the godfathers of it," Sherman said.

A five-time Pro Bowler, Sherman is unlikely to re-sign with the 49ers. The 32-year-old cornerback appeared in just five games this season but has recorded 36 interceptions over his career.

The Raiders are looking to bolster their defense after a poor showing in 2020. Las Vegas allowed 29.9 points per game and ranked 26th against the pass this season.