Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman is one of six starters absent for the start of the team's offseason program, according to ESPN's Ed Werder.

The start of workouts is strictly voluntary, and Seahawks veterans have opted to train on their own in the past. In addition to Sherman, Kam Chancellor, Earl Thomas and Michael Bennett are not in attendance this year, per Werder.

Of course, with Sherman it's noteworthy because the All-Pro cornerback has been the subject of trade rumors leading up to next week's draft. Sherman has attended the offseason program in the past, as recently as last year.

Seahawks general manager John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll have said the team is listening to offers for Sherman. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Sherman asked for a trade this offseason. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported that the Seahawks are not just fielding calls, but have also approached other teams about a Sherman trade.

Obviously, the Seahawks have not heard an offer they're willing to accept. The draft seems like a reasonable deadline for a trade involving Sherman. If Seattle doesn't find a trade partner before or during the draft, it seems likely that Sherman will remain with the Seahawks for the 2017 season.

Sherman had a tumultuous 2016 season, and Carroll said last month that most of the cornerback's issues were "self-inflicted." Sherman, 29, has never missed a game in his NFL career and has two years remaining on his contract.