Richard Sherman doesn't sound too confident that his time with the San Francisco 49ers will continue beyond this season. The team would love to keep him but knows there are many salary-cap-impacting decisions to be made in the offseason. That salary cap is expected to shrink, and with it, the flexibility the 49ers have enjoyed in past years.
"Now, there's lots of stuff that go into it at the end of the year," Shanahan said this past week, "and how we're going to balance all this out, and we have to figure out what the salary cap is and stuff with what happens, but I know in Sherm's time here, he's been everything we've hoped and more. And I really hope these next whatever games we have left, I really hope that's not the end of it."
Sherman says he would love to continue his time with the 49ers. But the veteran cornerback, who is in the final year of his contract, isn't optimistic that will happen.
"We've had brief conversations," Sherman told NBC Sports Bay Area. "I think that there's obviously a want from both sides to come back and make this work. Unfortunately, I don't know that the circumstances will allow it.
"That's the sad, sad truth. It's one of those years where it's not anybody's fault that it may not work out. And it will be a sad parting because I've really enjoyed my time here. I've enjoyed this team. I have brothers on this team, and I think we still have work to do. But I don't know that the circumstances will allow it."
Sherman will be 33 years old next season, and the 49ers have several players to pay. Not only does San Francisco not have any cornerbacks signed beyond this season, but the team will need to start thinking about young star linebacker Fred Warner's contract extension. Sherman knows that. He'd like to return but just doesn't see the numbers adding up and says it might take something "miraculous" to happen for him to remain in red and gold.
"I understand there's a number of guys on our team with that this year," Shanahan said. "But whoever can help us win football games are guys we're trying to figure out how to bring back, and especially guys who do it the right way. Sherm is as good as anyone in those categories."
Sherman has played in just two games this season after suffering a calf injury during Week 1. The future Hall of Famer felt and looked good in his return to the football field last weekend and feels his injury problems are behind him.
"I've enjoyed my time," Sherman said. "I've loved every moment of it. And I wish we could continue it for a couple more years, but it's not looking likely."