Sherman said he spent extensive time reviewing contract language before meeting with the 49ersGETTY IMAGES
By signing CB Richard Sherman to a three-year, $39M deal, the 49ers have "decided that the window is open, and they're not about to hesitate when intriguing opportunities are in front of them," according to Tim Kawakami of THE ATHLETIC. It is yet to be seen how the rest of free agency "will all play out," starting today when negotiations can begin. But 49ers GM John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan are "not in this to be on the sidelines." Kawakami: "I believe players and agents around the league are quite intrigued by everything going on in Santa Clara" (THEATHLETIC.com, 3/12). ESPN.com's Nick Wagoner wrote signing Sherman is a move the 49ers "almost wouldn't have made a year ago and one that sends this unmistakable message: The 49ers believe they are ready to be a legitimate contender" (ESPN.com, 3/10). NBCSN's Mike Florio said, "This is a statement from the 49ers. This is, in my estimation, the 49ers saying, ‘We're back. We had those lost years where it was a disaster. We proved it at the end of 2017 with Jimmy Garoppolo. He's signed, sealed and delivered for the next five years. We're back, we're going to make moves and be a contender’” (“PFT,” NBCSN, 3/12). In DC, Mark Maske wrote early in this offseason, the 49ers' aspirations of being significantly better in very short order have "become even more realistic" (WASHINGTON POST, 3/11).
SPEAK FOR YOURSELF: Sherman represented himself in contract negotiations, and 49ers Chief Strategy Officer & Exec VP/Football Operations Paraag Marathe said he had "done his research" and was "very impressive." Sherman: "I spend maybe 10, 12 hours reading all these contracts and studying the contract language. If I was going to represent myself, I was going to do the research." But THE MMQB's Peter King notes Sherman will have to be an "all-pro corner for three years to make what the contract originally was reported to be worth." King: "Could an agent have done better? Possibly." So Sherman is getting "knocked for not getting a good-enough deal." That "may have some merit." But Sherman "came out firing on the players-shouldn’t-rep-themselves charge." Sherman: "I don’t think any agent in the business could have done a better job of negotiating this contract. As long as I’m content with what I’m making, nothing else matters to me" (SI.com, 3/12). PRO FOOTBALL TALK's Florio wrote players should "hire a good agent," who may have been "able to get Sherman a base package of much more" than $7.21M. Along with the "ability to get back to the market next year." Along with a "more favorable state income tax situation." Good agents "make money for themselves and more money for players." In turn, this takes "more money out of the coffers of billionaires who would love nothing more than to see this still-isolated quirk become a trend, and for that trend to then become the norm" (PROFOOTBALLTALK.com, 3/11). In Boston, Ben Volin noted self-representation is "getting popular these days." Not only is Sherman doing it, but NFL Draft prospect Lamar Jackson is "also forgoing an agent, using his mother as a front person instead" (BOSTON GLOBE, 3/11).
