On Wednesday, Richard Sherman told ESPN's Max Kellerman and Molly Qerim Rose that returning to the San Francisco 49ers remains a possibility. He also mentioned the Seattle Seahawks as a potential option.
"There's always a chance it could end up working back in the Bay, and I head back that way," Sherman said on ESPN's First Take. "That's another place I'm really comfortable going. Obviously, I know the staff, know the team well. Just spent time there and would be ecstatic if something happened there."
Sherman added that he doesn't believe anything is imminent, and a signing may not even happen until after the regular season begins, if at all.
Then you have Jimmie Ward posting the following cryptic story on Instagram, hinting that a reunion with his former teammate might be in the cards (h/t to Dalton Johnson of NBC Sports). Maybe the safety knows something we don't.
Does Jimmie Ward know something we don't about Sherm?? 🤔
[via IG/nekosuave20] pic.twitter.com/n7vAf3GZMQ
— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) May 6, 2021
Chris Biderman of the Sacramento Bee seems to believe that a reunion may be on the horizon.
"Free agent cornerback Richard Sherman and the 49ers have engaged in preliminary discussions about a possible return to San Francisco, a source told The Sacramento Bee on Thursday," reported Biderman.
The 49ers beat writer adds: "A signing is not imminent, but discussions could accelerate in the coming weeks."
Those are three hints over the past two days suggesting that Sherman and the 49ers may be open to reuniting. San Francisco re-signed cornerbacks Jason Verrett, Emmanuel Moseley, and K'Waun Williams while allowing Ahkello Witherspoon to depart for the Seattle Seahawks. The team added cornerbacks Ambry Thomas of Michigan and Deommodore Lenoir of Oregon via the draft.
Sherman, a three-time first-team All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowl selection, remains a respected player among his former 49ers teammates, and most would probably welcome his return. It is unknown how serious head coach Kyle Shanahan or general manager John Lynch might be about the idea.
"You never count Sherm out," Lynch said last week. "Sherm, he was a big part of this culture here. A tremendous leader. I think Kyle and I both consider him a friend. And like I said, you never count him out.
"We haven't really been in communication. We do text from time to time. Nothing about football. Like I said, as long as he wants to play -- I think Sherm's being patient and kind of waiting it out for the right situation, and we'll see where that goes."
Sherman spent his first seven NFL seasons with the Seahawks before signing with San Francisco in 2018. He became a free agent in March.