On Thursday, Richard Sherman doubled-down on his comments that it would take a "miracle" for him to return to the San Francisco 49ers in 2021. He is scheduled to become a free agent after this season.
"I know the salary cap deal first hand, dealing with the [NFLPA], dealing with the league, and I know their salary-cap situation," Sherman told reporters.
Added Sherman: "Like I said when I had the conversation, I mean, if there's some miracle that happens, sure, there's an opening (for a return)."
What does John Lynch think about Sherman's comments to reporters? The 49ers general manager joined KNBR on Friday morning and discussed the future of his veteran All-Pro cornerback.
"Remember, there's player Sherman, and then there's Agent Sherman, and then there's a bunch of other Shermans," Lynch said on the Murph & Mac show of his cornerback's multiple personas. "He really is a beaut. He's brought so much to our team. Richard and I have a lot of conversations, and I'm serious; I have to ask him, 'Am I talking to Sherm or am I talking to Agent Sherm?'"
Lynch added that he and Sherman are very truthful with each other, and that includes discussing the cornerback's future.
"By no means have we made a decision that Richard's not part of our future," Lynch continued. "I think what we did talk about is we're dealing with a cap situation that has changed substantially from something that we thought might be a $225 million (limit) pre-pandemic down to [$175 million]. And so, obviously, your plans change and have to. You can't sign everyone.
"Now, having said that, we also understand what Sherm brings. I said it right after the Rams win. He brings championship pedigree. He brings a swagger. He brings confidence. When I look on that field, and he's there, I feel better, and that's because he's one of the greats ever to do it.
"So, we're going to try like heck to fit all these [guys]. The good news is, for our fans, there's a lot of good players that are under contract. We do have a lot of free agents, and there's a lot of good football players there, Sherm being one of them.
"I think he's going a little overboard when he said 'a miracle,' but there certainly are challenges that are real, and we just don't have a firm answer yet. But we're more focused, as Sherm is, on playing this weekend."
You can listen to the entire conversation with Lynch below.