The San Francisco 49ers gained a veteran leader when they signed former Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman earlier this month. Star linebacker Reuben Foster lost his mentor when the 49ers released veteran linebacker NaVorro Bowman on October 13, 2017.
NFL teams had health and off-the-field concerns with Foster heading into last year's draft. While Foster missed six games in 2017 due to injuries, he stayed out of trouble during the regular season. Once the offseason hit, things changed.
Starting in January, Foster was arrested twice in a month's span. The first arrest was for second-degree possession of marijuana in Alabama. A month later, he was booked into the Santa Clara County Jail on suspicion of domestic violence, threats, and possession of an assault weapon.
Can Foster benefit from having someone like Sherman on the defense with him? Will Sherman be willing to mentor Foster? Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area asked the cornerback that question following his introductory press conference last week with the full answer being made available in the latest "49ers Insider Podcast."
"I can only do my best," Sherman told Maiocco. "Obviously, I haven't had a conversation with Reuben, and I've heard nothing but positive things about him. He's a great man; he's a great kid. If I can help him, I'll do my best. I look forward to meeting him, and being a teammate of his, and helping him in any way I can."
Foster was the second of two first-round picks (No. 31 overall) by the 49ers in last year's draft and started 10 games while registering 72 combined tackles with a pass defensed. During the 2017 season, he was named the Defensive Rookie of the Month for November.
"To think I can change everything he does, I'd be foolish to say I could," Sherman continued. "But am I going to try my best to help him and put him in positions to be more successful in the future? Yes, I am."
You can listen to the entire interview with Sherman (as well as general manager John Lynch) below.