SF 49ers free agency: 5 possible landing spots for Richard Sherman

Where does SF 49ers pending free-agent cornerback Richard Sherman play in 2021?

SF 49ers veteran cornerback Richard Sherman made it pretty clear his chances of returning to the team in 2021 were looking awfully slim.

“I’ve enjoyed this team,” Sherman told NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco last December. “I have brothers on this team, and I think we still have work to do. But I don’t know that the circumstances will allow it.”

Sherman is one of roughly 40 free agents the Niners have set to hit the open market this offseason. Armed with approximately $11.78 million in cap space, per Over the Cap, it’s going to be awfully difficult for general manager John Lynch and Co. to retain even some of their top names.

With so many other key needs to address, the likelihood of Sherman returning to San Francisco once his initial three-year deal, signed back in 2018, expires seems all but impossible.

Sherman, who’ll turn 33 years old before the start of the 2021 season, might not be quite as prolific as he was earlier in his career, particularly after missing all but five games last season because of injuries. But the five-time Pro Bowler still has a lot to offer, both as a starting-caliber defensive back, possible mentor for a rebuilding team or even a Super Bowl contender needing help within the secondary.

If Sherman and the SF 49ers are poised to separate this offseason, where could he wind up signing in 2021?

Here are five possible landing spots.

No. 5: Seattle Seahawks

It would be weird to see Sherman go back to one of the SF 49ers’ chief rivals, the Seattle Seahawks, but it’s not out of the realm of possibility.

Seattle isn’t in the best cap situation, boasting just over $4.6 million in available space, currently. But with only four picks in this year’s NFL Draft and just one, a second-rounder, in the first three rounds, it’ll be tough for the Seahawks to land a starting-caliber prospect at the position early on.

Especially with Seattle poised to lose corners Quinton Dunbar, Neiko Thorpe and Shaquill Griffin to free agency this offseason.

The Seahawks pass defense, which struggled for much of 2021, is likely going to need a remake over the next few years, and it seems like a natural fit for Sherman to return to his former home where he made a name for himself.

Both as a bridge starter in a familiar setting and as a mentor to Seattle’s next crop of defensive backs.