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Report: 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan met with cornerback Richard Sherman

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 22: Richard Sherman #25 of the Seattle Seahawks reacts to a play against the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on October 22, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 22: Richard Sherman #25 of the Seattle Seahawks reacts to a play against the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on October 22, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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According to a report from The Athletic’s Marcus Thompson, San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan met with former Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman in Los Gatos, California Friday night. Are the Niners courting their former adversary?

The Seattle Seahawks indicated an end of an era Friday, when they officially announced releasing three-time first-team All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman.

Sherman, arguably the San Francisco 49ers‘ biggest adversary, might be engaging in a courtship with his former rival.

According to a report from The Athletic’s Marcus Thompson, Sherman and his wife were spotted at a restaurant in Los Gatos, California with head coach Kyle Shanahan.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

Here’s the excerpt:

"The former Stanford product, who regularly tortured the 49ers during the Jim Harbaugh years, is not only a talented player, but is as smart as they come. The young 49ers defense could use that. Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh can definitely use that.You know who agrees with me? Kyle Shanahan.According to somebody who was at the restaurant, Shanahan dined with Sherman and his wife at Nick’s Next Door restaurant in Los Gatos tonight. It seems the courting may have already begun."

Indeed, San Francisco needs cornerbacks. A starting-caliber player is a necessity to pair alongside second-year pro Ahkello Witherspoon in 2018.

Sherman fitting the bill makes a lot of sense in areas. For starters, the Niners’ defensive scheme under coordinator Robert Saleh is nearly identical to the one Sherman thrived in with the Seahawks. The cornerback wouldn’t have to make any sort of scheme adjustments at all.

On the flip side, though, Sherman will turn 30 years old this month. And he’s coming off a serious Achilles injury, which could ultimately affect his ability to plant and turn in coverage.

That’s not easy to overcome, especially for an older player.

Would Richard Sherman Even Want to Come to the 49ers?

Sherman taunted both the Niners and their fans over the course of his Seattle tenure. Fans will remember him calling out former Niners wideout Michael Crabtree after the Seahawks’ victory over the San Francisco in the 2014 NFC Championship game.

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So the Niners are still Sherman’s No. 1 adversary, right?

Not exactly.

First, Sherman and general manager John Lynch have the Stanford connection. Additionally, Sherman told Seattle’s KIRO 97.3 (h/t ESPN) he’d be willing to go to an up-and-coming team if the situation is right:

"Would I go to a young secondary that is like we were when we were younger and help them grow and help them advance? Sure, if the number looks right and the situation is comfortable for me and my family."

San Francisco is an up-and-coming team. And the defense could certainly learn a lot from Sherman.

There are all the other pieces to put in place, though. So it will be more than interesting to watch whether or not a mere dinner date between Sherman and Shanahan turns into something more.

Next: Should the 49ers sign Richard Sherman in free agency?

Needless to say, this offseason has been interesting, putting things lightly.