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In the 2018 NFL offseason, Richard Sherman shocked the world by signing with his division rival, the San Francisco 49ers on a three-year, $39 million deal.
Three years later, he returns to the free agency market, and is still looking for a home next year.
Sherman, regarded as one of the top corners over the past decade, played in only five games last season due to calf injuries and has also torn his Achilles in the past, raising questions of whether he can still play at a high level.
Regardless, the 49ers should love to bring him back, even as a depth piece, because of his leadership ability and football mind.
However, don't count on it.
This offseason, the 49ers brought back all three of their top corners last season:
Jason Verrett, Emmanuel Moseley, and K'Waun Williams, while also drafting Michigan's
Ambry Thomas and Oregon's
Deommodore Lenoir.
After all of their moves, the 49ers currently have only $4.5 million remaining in cap space.
This doesn't include the likely impending
Fred Warner extension, which will need some cap maneuvering in itself to fit under the 2021 cap, such as an
Arik Armstead restructure.
Once the Warner extension kicks in, the 49ers will have some cap room, but that emergency space is allotted towards midseason additions if any injuries occur, meaning that they don't have much space for any other offseason additions.
In addition, a player of Sherman's caliber would likely request a deal in the range of at least $5 million annually, as his current market value stands at around $9 million.
While Verrett has struggled to remain healthy throughout his career and Williams only played in eight games last year, the 49ers seem to be going in a youthful direction with their draftees, and Sherman just doesn't fit in that timeline or within their salary cap.
In fact, Sherman himself pointed out last December that the possibility of a reunion with the team was unlikely due to the salary cap issues.
"We've had brief conversations," Sherman said of contract talks with the 49ers. "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 from 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."
During the conversation with NBC Sports, Sherman noted the number of impending free agents that the team had, making it difficult for the 49ers to fit him into their future plans.
"There are a ton of guys that need to be paid and are coming up," Sherman said. "Fred Warner is coming up. There are, like, 40 free agents who need to be re-signed. At the end of the day, they have to do what's best for the majority, for the team. And I got to understand that. And so the numbers are adding up to that I won't be here, unless something miraculous happens, which would be really cool."
While Sherman still has expressed interest in the 49ers, don't look for him in a 49ers jersey next season.
The San Francisco 49ers are optimistic they can negotiate a contract extension with star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. Recognizing the impending significant investment, the team has been strategically planning for the day when Aiyuk's contract demands must be accommodated.
Despite the team's assurance that signing Aiyuk remains a priority, speculation continues to circulate within NFL circles, often involving Aiyuk's name in trade rumors. In March, general manager John Lynch addressed these rumors, stating that the 49ers are actively engaged in discussions with Aiyuk and his representatives while
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy achieved a remarkable feat in 2023, setting a single-season franchise record with 4,280 passing yards. This accomplishment is noteworthy, considering the illustrious quarterbacks who have graced the organization's history.
A significant portion of those yards came from wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who amassed a career-high and team-leading 1,342 receiving yards. Most of his 75 catches originated from passes thrown by Purdy.
Amidst significant offseason chatter surrounding the 49ers' star receiver, including several unsubstantiated trade rumors, Aiyuk's future remains uncertain. Former NFL player James Jones, now an analyst, expressed concern for Purdy should Aiyuk's tenure in the Bay Area come to an end.
"I
ESPN analyst Matt Miller watches the San Francisco 49ers differently than other teams. As a 49ers fan, he feels more invested in the team's successes and failures than most analysts.
With the draft nearing, Miller made it clear which direction he believes head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch should take with their first pick. In his ESPN mock draft, a seven-round doozy, the analyst had the 49ers selecting former Arizona offensive lineman Jordan Morgan.
Miller recently joined the 49ers Webzone "No Huddle" podcast, sharing why he adamantly hopes the team addresses the offensive line at the end of the month.
"So I
It's evident that the San Francisco 49ers engaged in long-term financial planning. Much discussion has centered around the feasibility of the team committing significant financial resources to two wide receivers, Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel. Some skeptics question the wisdom of such heavy investment in a single position, especially considering that the 49ers handed Samuel a substantial three-year extension merely two years ago.
Adding complexity to this debate is the impending contract extension for quarterback Brock Purdy, positioning him to become the highest-paid player on the team. He will likely even become one of the NFL's highest-paid players. Where he ranks in average salary will depend upon whether he can replicate the stellar performance of his Pro Bowl 2023
