NFL free agency grades: 49ers sign Richard Sherman
After being released by the Seattle Seahawks, cornerback Richard Sherman took his talents down the coast, signing with the San Francisco 49ers.
Richard Sherman didn’t take long to find his next home. Barely 24 hours after he was released by the Seahawks after seven fantastic years, the former All-Pro corner landed within the NFC West, signing with the San Francisco 49ers.
Sherman, 29, is coming off an Achilles tear in November, but remains one of the top corners in the game. Throughout his career, the former Stanford star has amassed 32 interceptions while nothing four Pro Bowl berths and making three First-Team All-Pro teams.
For San Francisco, the deal immediately upgrades a woeful secondary. With Eric Reid potentially leaving in free agency, general manager John Lynch had to be aggressively fixing the back end of the defense, and took a big step here.
Contract details
The 49ers signed Sherman to a three-year deal worth a total of $39.15 million. Sherman is also receiving a $5 million signing bonus, so expect the dead cap hits to be low throughout the latter portion of the contract.
National reaction
An example of how simple decisions this week affect players, teams and futures.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2018
Aqib Talib rejected a trade that was agreed to between Denver and SF; wouldn’t report. He later is traded to LA.
So SF doesn’t get its CB, Richard Sherman is released and he winds up in SF.
Congrats fam @RSherman_25 got cut and got more money 💰 💰💰
— Chris Harris (@ChrisHarrisJr) March 11, 2018
Richard Sherman is headed back to the Bay. pic.twitter.com/re4vrO3hNs
— ESPN (@espn) March 11, 2018
Grade
Some will question Sherman receiving $13 million per year after such a serious injury, but the full contract details are yet to emerge. What we know definitively is that the 49ers are becoming serious contenders to reach the playoffs for the first time since the Jim Harbaugh era. Sherman’s talent and attitude will be a huge lift to a rising team, and considering San Francisco’s cap situation, the money isn’t something to fret over.
Grade: A