New 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman represented himself during the negotiations that landed him a three-year deal with San Francisco worth up to $39.15 million. Of course, the contract contains several incentives that must be reached for Sherman to come anywhere close to that sum.
For the 49ers, the deal offers the team some security in signing a veteran cornerback coming off of a ruptured Achilles tendon, which Sherman suffered in November against the Arizona Cardinals. He will have to report to training camp, pass a physical, play in 90 percent of the defensive snaps over the next three seasons, and both be selected to the Pro Bowl and named an All-Pro each year to approach the potential total of the contract.
Not everyone feels the deal that Sherman negotiated was a good one, including Cleveland Browns tackle Joe Thomas, who says the cornerback got "absolutely crushed" by the 49ers.
Richard Sherman's contract with the 49ers is basically a case study on how not to negotiate a contract https://t.co/MIJrqeoR7G
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) March 12, 2018
You really feel bad for Richard Sherman, but this is clearly a case of ego getting in the way of his pocket book. He got absolutely crushed on this contract while working as his own agent... https://t.co/TrVBQxuReG
— Joe Thomas (@joethomas73) March 12, 2018
Thomas, who is contemplating retirement, also does not believe Sherman will earn the $2 million roster bonus due to him upon passing a training camp physical.
Achilles injuries to skill players usually take 1 year to rehab until your ready to return to play and a full 2 years to regain full explosiveness. I'm guessing he won't pass his physical in time for camp. https://t.co/b3MI3xyf8i
— Joe Thomas (@joethomas73) March 12, 2018
Sherman responded to Thomas with a brief explanation of why the deal is structured like it is.
It's actually a case of believing in who I am as a player while also coming of a major injury. But I appreciate ya input
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) March 12, 2018
On Monday, general manager John Lynch told Steve Wyche of NFL Network that the 49ers' goal is to have Sherman ready to take the field by training camp.
While there are risks on Sherman's side, Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan believe the 49ers are taking on risks as well.
"Are we taking some risks? Sure," Lynch said. "He's got one ruptured Achilles. He's got another Achilles where they've done some work in terms of taking out some things. So is there some risk on our side? Absolutely. But we tried to make it such that if he returns to being Richard Sherman, he's going to do just fine."
"What was cool in dealing with Richard is he's a very confident guy," Shanahan told Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. "He believes in himself. And we believe in him, also. It's cool that both sides took some risks."