Several one-win teams have been active as the October 30 trade deadline quickly approaches. The San Francisco 49ers have not been among them.

When general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan signed cornerback Richard Sherman in March, it wasn't just to insert a veteran presence in the locker room. It was with the idea that he would be a cornerstone on the defense.


While Sherman has missed two games this season due to a calf injury, including Sunday's loss to the Los Angeles Rams, he has performed at a high level while on the football field. Opposing quarterbacks are avoiding him, for the most part. In 198 coverage snaps, Sherman has been targeted just 10 times and allowed only two receptions for 28 yards, per Pro Football Focus. Quarterbacks have a passer rating of 39.6 when throwing his way.

Yeah, he's played pretty well.

If not for being hampered by a nagging injury, Sherman might have good trade value. However, there has been no indication that Lynch and Shanahan are interested in parting with one of their best players. Sherman would know.

"They haven't reached out to my agent, obviously, and expressed anything," he told reporters on Thursday.

Sherman, of course, is referring to himself. He is his own agent. When the 49ers were negotiating his contract in March, they were negotiating directly with Sherman.


The 49ers want Sherman around. He is too valuable on the field and off of it as well. During the offseason, as Sherman recovered from the Achilles injury he suffered last November, he acted as an additional assistant coach during minicamps and organized team activities. The veteran shared his experience with the young group of 49ers defensive backs.

Once preseason and the regular season rolled around, Sherman showed why the 49ers bet on him and why he bet on himself.

"They've said since I came here that I was part of the future plans, at least for the next couple of years, and that's the way we see it," Sherman added. "That's the way I see it."

Sherman's three-year contract will keep him in San Francisco through the 2020 season. The 49ers have a potential out after this season — insurance in case he wasn't able to recover from the Achilles injury and did not play — but it seems likely he will be back next season.

As far as the short-term picture is concerned, Sherman is just looking to get back on the field. He sounded optimistic that he would play on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals, but even that may be a game-time decision.


"I'll give you a 'pretty sure,'" Sherman said. "I'm pretty sure I'm playing this week."

After that? Who knows? The 49ers will have a short week to prepare for their Thursday-night matchup against the Oakland Raiders, which may not be enough to allow Sherman enough time to rest his calf.

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