Could there still be a reunion between the San Francisco 49ers and cornerback Richard Sherman this season? The team will never dismiss any possibility, but right now, it seems to be content with its current cornerback situation.
Sherman's offseason incident does complicate things. In a conversation with USA Today's Doug Farrar, the five-time Pro Bowler and three-time first-team All-Pro said the situation is ongoing. Sherman was arrested in July and charged with five misdemeanors, including criminal trespass with a domestic violence designation, malicious mischief, a DUI, and resisting arrest.
"It's one of those times in life you reach a bit of a crossroads," Sherman told Farrar. "It seemed my crossroads was seen more publicly. But I'm grateful for what happened. It was a good, eye-opening experience. It was a good chance for me to find help and get the help I needed and to have some conversations that I wasn't able to have before. And to get some clarity that I did not have."
Sherman spent the last three seasons with the 49ers after spending his first seven NFL seasons with the division-rival Seattle Seahawks. He remains a free agent and has reportedly garnered some interest from the Seahawks and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
This morning on KNBR's Murph & Mac show, Lynch said he remains in contact with Sherman. The general manager calls the cornerback a friend.
Lynch was asked about the offseason incident.
"I thought he handled himself incredibly well," Lynch said. "And it's a lot of the conversations that we had. He had a momentary lapse, and he has to be held accountable for that. He understands that. But he's also got a decade's worth of doing really good for people and inspiring a lot of people to kind of overcome challenges."
San Francisco was also reported as one of the teams that have expressed interest in Sherman. Would the 49ers consider bringing Sherman back at some point this season? Lynch doesn't dismiss the possibility but has confidence in the team's cornerback situation right now.
"It's one of those things where you monitor the situation," Lynch said. "Right now, we feel good about where we are at, but Sherm's added a lot to this place over the years. We'll forever be grateful for that, and who knows? We could need him down the road. So, those are kind of the conversations we've had.
"Most of all, I'm pulling for him and his family. They're great people and have done so much good. And I think he's going to overcome this and go on to do great things."