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San Francisco 49ers: Pros & cons for signing cornerback Richard Sherman

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 22: Richard Sherman #25 of the Seattle Seahawks stands on the field before their game against the San Francisco 49ers 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 stands on the field before their game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on October 22, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – NOVEMBER 09: Cornerback Richard Sherman #25 of the Seattle Seahawks reacts after an injury on a play in the second half of the NLF game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on November 9, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Seahawks defeated the Cardinals 22-16. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – NOVEMBER 09: Cornerback Richard Sherman #25 of the Seattle Seahawks reacts after an injury on a play in the second half of the NLF game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on November 9, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Seahawks defeated the Cardinals 22-16. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Cons for the 49ers Signing Richard Sherman

We’re not looking at Richard Sherman from his All-Pro 2012, 2013 or 2014 campaigns.

Sherman will turn 30 years old this month, and that’s the point many cornerbacks start thinking about a switch to safety. That is if they can stay productive at the NFL level.

Cornerback isn’t as demanding a position as, let’s say, running back. But Sherman suffered a serious Achilles injury that ended his 2017 campaign prematurely. Considering how much defensive backs must pivot, lunge and change direction, this ligament being 100 percent is vital to remain successful.

Even without the injury, the Pro Football Focus data seems to indicate Sherman is on the decline:

Richard Sherman
Richard Sherman /

It’s not a sharp drop. But player production can decline rapidly when one hits 30 years old. Would that be worth what likely winds up being a hefty contract.

Sherman counted for just over $13.6 million against Seattle’s salary cap last season. This will likely be the last big contract the cornerback signs. And while the 49ers have the money, is that cash better spent elsewhere on a younger, less injury-concerned defender?

Perhaps. But there are other reasons too.

A Possible Locker Room Distraction

Remember that May 2017 report from ESPN’s Seth Wickersham? The one talking how Sherman and the Seahawks were starting to crumble in the wake of the team’s loss in Super Bowl XLIX?

Read into that what you want, but there’s little doubting Sherman’s ability to be outspoken in the locker room. Off the field, it seems as if he’s genuine, involved in the community and extremely well-spoken.

But the locker room aspect is what could be concerning.

49ers general manager John Lynch has labored to develop a team culture set on finding “football first” chemistry. Sherman’s passion for the game isn’t bad in of itself. But the competitive nature he displays could easily rub players the wrong way.

Especially a younger crop of players.

This is all conjecture, of course, but it would be a topic the Niners would have to consider closely.

So, does San Francisco make the move?