Cornerback Richard Sherman, who signed a three-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers on March 10 worth up to $39.15 million, was one of the team's most significant offseason additions. Sherman was criticized for acting as his own agent during the contract negotiations. He was willing to bet on himself and base much of his contract on incentives like Pro Bowl selections and being named an All-Pro.
"I believe in myself as a player," Sherman said in March. "I believe in what I can do so I would suggest people to judge this at the end of the deal rather than judging it at the beginning because they judged me as a player at the beginning and you see how that worked out for them."
The 49ers hope to have Sherman on the practice field for training camp in late-July while the veteran cornerback's timeline is more aggressive. He hopes to be ready to practice with his teammates in June.
One of the reported aspects of his contract was a $2 million bonus due to Sherman once he passes a training camp physical. He is attempting to return from a ruptured Achilles' tendon sustained in November. Apparently, the NFL Players Association stepped in after the contract was agreed to and asked for that aspect of the deal to be renegotiated, according to a report from Ben Volin of the Boston Globe.
"Sherman's contract with the 49ers, which he negotiated himself, initially called for him to earn a $2 million bonus if he passes the team physical by the third day of training camp," writes Volin. "But after the contract was agreed to, the NFL Players Association stepped in and asked the 49ers to renegotiate that clause in good faith, as Sherman is coming back from a ruptured Achilles' tendon. Sherman now has until the end of Week 11 to pass the physical and earn his bonus, which happens to be the 49ers' bye week.
"Sherman gets a $1 million bonus for playing in 90 percent of snaps, and his contract specifies that there is no rounding up, so 89.99 percent doesn't count. He also gets a $2 million bonus if he is voted first- or second-team All-Pro, and has to earn that title on just one of these five lists: Associated Press, Pro Football Weekly, Pro Football Writers of America, Sporting News, and Sports Illustrated."
Sherman doesn't believe his return will take until Week 11. He plans on playing the full season.
"I fully expect to be ready for all 16 (games), and I expect to play at a high level," Sherman said. "I've never not played at a high level if I'm playing and I expect that to continue."