Richard Sherman on potential lucrative contract extension: It's a sign of respect

Seattle's Richard Sherman could become the league's highest-paid cornerback as talks regarding a contract extension continue. (Ben Liebenberg/AP)

There have been conflicting reports throughout the week surrounding the state of contract talks between the Seattle Seahawks and star cornerback Richard Sherman. First, the Seahawks and Sherman were "making progress" on a deal that would lock him up for the long-term, but that was quickly followed by a Pro Soccer Talk report that the two sides still have "plenty of work to do."

If the two sides do agree to a deal, it is expected to make Sherman the highest paid cornerback in the league at around $13 million per year, and Sherman would view his huge pay raise as a sign of respect from the team.

"Whatever they feel I am due. I will take it as respect," Sherman told Albert Breer of the NFL Network. "It’s all about respect in this game and the only way people show respect is the dollars. We’ll see what happens."

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Sherman is set to earn $1.389 million in 2014 before hitting the open market next offseason, but the two sides will be working feverishly to get a contract done. If terms are not agreed to by this year's deadline, it isn't out of the question that Sherman could be slapped with the franchise tag to make sure he remains under contract for at least one additional year.