Richard Sherman signs long-term deal with division rival San Francisco 49ers
Richard Sherman will play for a team he despised for years
Free agent cornerback Richard Sherman has reportedly agreed to a three-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Josina Anderson also reported the deal was close between the 49ers and Sherman on Saturday evening despite meetings with the Lions and Raiders scheduled.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport confirmed that the deal is worth $39 million with a $5 million signing bonus. Sherman was on the free agent market for barely 24 hours before the 49ers signed him to the contract.
Seattle released the four-time All-Pro after seven seasons and a season-ending achillies injury on Friday. Sherman was slated to carry an $11 million cap hit for Seattle next season had he stayed on the team, but instead carried a $2.2 million dead cap hit with his injury-designated release.
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Sherman emerged against San Francisco early in his career and established himself as one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. Playing in 105 games, all for Seattle, the fifth-round pick out of Stanford has 32 career interceptions, tied for sixth among active cornerbacks.
San Francisco badly needed help at cornerback entering next season but Sherman’s availability coming off the achillies injury is unknown. San Francisco’s starters prior to Sherman signing were 2017 third-round pick Ahkello Witherspoon and undrafted free agent K’Wuan Williams.
Signing Sherman may not deter the 49ers from using the ninth overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft on a cornerback with Ohio State’s Denzel Ward flashing at the Combine. Linebackers Roquan Smith and Tremaine Edmunds have consistently been projected to the 49ers with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo now under contract with the team.