Richard Sherman aspires to be an NFL general manager one day. He also aspires to receive a big payday next month when he hits free agency. Since December, the veteran cornerback has expressed that he doesn't anticipate returning to the San Francisco 49ers in 2021, understanding that his current team has salary-cap constraints to overcome and several players slated to become free agents.
Sherman spoke with Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area last week, was asked to put on his GM hat, and look at the 49ers' roster situation. Which of their own impending free agents should general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan prioritize as the team heads into the offseason?
"I would expect Trent Williams to be the first order of business," Sherman responded. "And after that, I would expect them to work on securing the cornerback spot because that'll be depleted after all the people that are going to be gone. And then I think after that, you've got to work on (linebacker) Fred Warner this offseason."
Warner is not scheduled to become a free agent but is eligible for a contract extension. He is entering the final year of his rookie deal.
Sherman made it clear that nothing regarding his own situation has changed since December. Again, he understands San Francisco's perspective. With Sherman seemingly having one foot out the door and several cornerbacks set to become free agents, is re-signing Jason Verrett the offseason priority within that position group?
"No question (he is). No question," Sherman said. "I think that'll be the first priority after Trent, in terms of free agents. I think they have to go down that road, but I also think he'll have other suitors. He played well. He played up to the standard that he has shown when he came into the league, and when you play up to that standard, he's going to deserve the payday he gets."
The 49ers added Verrett in 2019, gambling that the often-injured cornerback could return to his 2015 Pro Bowl form after recovering from a torn Achilles. Verrett appeared in one game before landing on injured reserve with an ankle injury. San Francisco gambled again last offseason, believing in the cornerback and signing him to another one-year deal. He ended up starting every game after Week 2.
"If they're able to get in that sweepstakes," Sherman continued, "I'm sure he'll take into consideration everything they did in bringing him back and continuing to believe in him. But it's really one of those things that he will be one of the most sought after cornerbacks on the market. So we'll see."
In addition to Verrett and Sherman, K'Waun Williams and Ahkello Witherspoon are among the cornerbacks who played on the final year of their contracts in 2020.
You can listen to the entire conversation with Sherman below.
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