Richard Sherman’s value to 49ers extends well beyond on-field play

With the uncertainty of returning to his championship caliber play, what will Richard Sherman bring to the 49ers? A lot more than what we will see on the field.

Nobody ever thought that corner back Richard Sherman would become a member of the San Francisco 49ers.

That day has come.

What exactly can he bring to the 49ers? He is coming off an Achilles tear that ended his 2017 season, he just turned the dreaded 30 years old and was released by his former team. That must mean he’s lost a step or just doesn’t have it in him anymore, right?

Wrong.

Sherman’s value extends well beyond his team friendly contract and what he will bring to the field. I would argue that his most important value to the 49ers is what he brings to practice,  meetings and the locker room. The 49ers have signed a defensive leader on and off the field.

“tape is like my second hobby because it makes the game easier.” – Richard Sherman

Prior to Sherman’s signing, the average age of the 49ers defensive back group was around 26 years old.

They are a young group. The youngest of the group is standout corner back and 2017 3rd round NFL Draft selection Ahkello Witherspoon at 23 years old. Witherspoon along with fellow teammates stand to learn a lot from the recently signed Sherman.

His presence and knowledge of the game will lift those around him. His personality is infectious.

We have all seen what Sherman can do on the field. Some said on the field things will forever be etched into 49er fans memories for not so good reasons. Things we just simply don’t talk about. Beyond those unspeakable moments, we can’t look over the fact that he is one of the best ever at the position and now brings that championship pedigree to the 49ers.

Richard Sherman understands the game of football. Not only does he understand what the defense should be doing, he understands what the offense is doing. Sherman studies the offensive concepts just as a wide receiver would study his playbook. He has learned offensive formation concepts better than most, knowing if they line up in a certain formation, which routes the receiver can run out of that formation and why. This allows him to be a step ahead of the receiver.

All of this is knowledge that he will pass on to the rest of the 49ers roster, he can explain what he sees and why it’s happening. He is another coach just as much as another player.

Below is a video that showcases how he studies the game, giving you a glimpse of what he will be like on the field as a leader of the defense.

Sherman has changed the attitude of the 49ers defense overnight. He will have expectations for his teammates and hold them accountable for their actions on and off the field.

His teammates around him will become better because of it. Richard Sherman is a Super Bowl champion, knows how much work and dedication off the field go into building a championship caliber defense on it. That alone provides tremendous value to a young and upcoming roster. If he is able to return from his injury back to his All-Pro ability, then that is just icing on the cake.

San Francisco could see the value he would bring and knew that when he was released, there was no way they could let him go anywhere else.

Next: 49ers' Joe Williams has a lot to prove

Richard Sherman is a San Francisco 49er and you should be excited about that.