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Set to become an unrestricted free agent in March, San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman’s next stop in the NFL will likely be his last.
Sherman, who turns 33 in March and has long maintained he wanted to play until he was 35, told Stephen A. Smith on his ESPN + show Stephen A’s World Monday that he had the intends to follow through on that plan and explained what the rest of his NFL career might look like.
“I only want to play two more [seasons]”Said Sherman.” I want to be part of a competitive team. I think I still have a lot to give to the game. I think I still have a lot to do and I think I can go out there and help a defense come together the way they should and reach their potential, to reach the heights that the defenses I have played on have reached. “
When the NFL League’s New Year opens on March 17, it will be Sherman’s second foray into unrestricted free agency, but the first time after his contract expires. In 2018, Sherman quickly signed with the 49ers after the Seattle Seahawks released him after seven seasons there.
At the time, Sherman was coming out of a breach of law Achilles suffered in November 2017. Acting as his own agent, Sherman negotiated a three-year, $ 27.15 million contract with the Niners, which included hefty incentives if he reverted to his previous All-Pro form.
That’s exactly what Sherman did in 2019, winning his fifth Pro Bowl and a spot on the Second Team’s All-Pro squad. But the 2020 season has been essentially lost for Sherman, who has suffered a calf injury all season and has appeared in just five games.
In December, Sherman said it would take a “miracle” for him to return to the 49ers, given their many free agents and the lack of salary cap space to hold them back. Among the players Sherman expects to secure lucrative contracts from the 49ers before they get into the mix are left tackle Trent Williams, cornerback Jason Verrett and linebacker Fred Warner, who don’t He is not yet a free agent but is entering the final year of his rookie contract.
This position has not changed either, as Sherman is still waiting to leave. In an interview with Smith on Monday, Sherman mentioned the Las Vegas Raiders as a potential destination. New Raiders’ defensive coordinator Gus Bradley was Sherman’s defensive coordinator in Seattle in 2011 and 2012, and is expected to set up a similar defensive scheme to Sherman’s with the Seahawks and 49ers.
Continuing that connection, Raiders coach Jon Gruden raised a few eyebrows last week when he appeared on the Sherman podcast co-host with Cris Collinsworth and told Sherman that the Raiders “are looking for an alpha presence in our. High school, someone who could play that Hawk 3- press technique with the reading stage. If you’re available and interested, maybe you and I can get together at some point. “
In addition to the Raiders, there’s also a clear connection to the New York Jets, who recently hired former Niners defensive coordinator Robert Saleh as their head coach.
No matter where he’s headed, Sherman seems determined to end his career on his terms and schedule.
“After two years, I think I’ll stop it, whatever, because I’m sure I’m still going to get calls, I’m sure people still want to see if I’m interested,” he said. Sherman said. “I think two more years and I’ll be happy where I am.”
Also on Monday, the 49ers announced they had re-signed quarterback Josh Rosen for a one-year contract extension. Rosen, who was the 10th pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, signed with the Niners on Dec.23 after injuries to quarterbacks Jimmy Garoppolo and Nick Mullens and practice team quarterback Josh Johnson landed on the reserve / COVID-19 list.
Rosen was slated to become an exclusive rights free agent, but will now have a chance to compete for a replacement spot next season. He joins Garoppolo and Johnson as the only quarterbacks the Niners have under contract for 2021.
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