Former Packers rival Richard Sherman reveals why they are serious contenders

Richard Sherman had a long rivalry with the Green Bay Packers during his All-Pro career. He played on Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers teams that eliminated the Packers, and he enjoyed some tough one-on-one battles with Davante Adams.

Since retiring, Sherman hasn't always had kind words to say about the Packers.

He told Packers fans they "should've shut up and enjoyed the guy you had," referring to Aaron Rodgers, after the team made a 2-5 start last season with Jordan Love.

Love made Sherman eat those words and admit he was wrong after destroying the Dallas Cowboys in the playoffs.

Now that he has realized this team can actually still compete without Rodgers, the five-time All-Pro had more kind words to say about the Packers after winning two straight games to enter Week 7 with a 4-2 record.

Richard Sherman believes Packers have Super Bowl potential this season

Speaking on The Richard Sherman Podcast, the future Hall-of-Famer said he believes the Packers are serious contenders in the NFC this season.

"They are a true contender because offensively they're playing really well. Jordan Love is playing well enough," said Sherman. "This defense is causing turnovers at an alarming rate, and that is why they are a very dangerous team, especially late in the season."

Sherman believes the defense can become one of the best in the league, and he gave defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley a ton of credit.

"This defense has held opponents below 20 points in four of their first six games, which is incredible," said Sherman. "Jeff Hafley is a big reason. Xavier McKinney and his five interceptions is also a huge part."

Sherman worked under Hafley during their time in San Francisco, and he has publicly praised him on several occasions.

And understandably so. Hafley has helped the Packers' defense reach a high level this season. Sure, the pass rush is still a work in progress and it hasn't been perfect, but the overall results are there. Green Bay is ninth in points allowed, first in takeaways, and, as Sherman noted, held four teams below 20 points.

Bigger tests are coming for this defense, beginning on Sunday against C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans, but Hafley's unit is playing winning football.

Pair that with an offense that ranks fourth in total yards, eighth in points, 10th in passing yards, and second in rushing yards, even without Love for two games, and the Packers are proving why they are contenders.

Sherman enjoyed great battles against Green Bay over the years, but he is impressed with what he is seeing from Matt LaFleur's team in the first half of the season.

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