While speaking to NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco on Saturday, Richard Sherman said a reunion with the 49ers this offseason is "not looking likely" because of salary-cap constraints the team faces.
Less than a week later, the 49ers cornerback doubled down on those comments while talking to local reporters.
"I know the salary cap," Sherman said during a video conference call Thursday. "Dealing with the [NFLPA], dealing with the league. And I know their salary-cap situation."
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The 49ers only have 31 players under contract for the 2021 NFL season, according to Spotrac, with players like Trent Williams and Fred Warner in line for massive raises.
With the 49ers needing to sign so many players, Sherman can see the writing on the wall. There's not enough money for him to return to San Francisco.
"Like I said when I had the conversation, I mean, if there's some miracle that happens, sure, there's an opening," Sherman said (H/T 49ers Web Zone). "But there's 40 free agents, and they'll probably have $30 million or less in cap [space]. They've got to bring back Trent, who costs over $20 million. They have to pay Fred, who costs $18 million-plus a year. And anybody who knows the situation understands that."
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Sherman, who serves as his own agent, is nearing the completion of a three-year contract he signed with the 49ers in March 2018. He told Maiocco that both sides would like to continue their pact together, but they know it would be hard to work out.
“We’ve had brief conversations,” Sherman told Maiocco. “I think that there’s obviously a want from both sides to come back and make this work. Unfortunately, I don’t know that the circumstances will allow it.
“That’s the sad, sad truth. It’s one of those years where it’s not from anybody’s fault that it may not work out. And it will be a sad parting because I’ve really enjoyed my time here. I’ve enjoyed this team. 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.”
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Sherman, who turns 33 in March, is an invaluable leader on the 49ers' defense. If the final four games of the 2020 season are his last with the team, his presence in the locker room and on the field will be hard for general manager John Lynch to replace.
“I’ve enjoyed my time,” Sherman told Maiocco. “I’ve loved every moment of it. And I wish we could continue it for a couple more years, but it’s not looking likely.”