Of course, Sherman's stellar 2019 campaign — the former Seattle Seahawk's second with the 49ers — is nothing new. Earlier this month, Pro Football Focus named two cornerbacks who were targeted 250-or-more times over the past decade and allowed a completion rate of less than 50 percent. They were Sherman and Darrelle Revis.
Sherman earned Pro Football Focus' highest coverage grade (90.5) and highest overall grade (90.3) last season, including the playoffs. He finished his 2019 campaign with 61 tackles, three shy of his career-high, 11 passes defensed, three interceptions, and a score. The corner's interception total was his highest in a single season since 2016.
Sherman was one of four 49ers players, past and present, named to the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 2010s. The others are retired players Joe Staley and Patrick Willis, along with Frank Gore of the New York Jets.
San Francisco owned the No. 1 pass defense in the league last season, thanks in part to the play and veteran leadership of Sherman, who is entering the final year of his contract. The cornerback did, however, garner some criticism for his performance in Super Bowl LIV. He hasn't shied away from any responsibility, though.
"I gave up three grabs in that game. ... I could have played better," Sherman said earlier this month. "I need to play better. When you hear them blaming Jimmy (Garoppolo), Jimmy doesn't play defense. We had a 10-point lead. We get the guy a stop, we win the game.
"So those are things you go into the offseason and know you have to correct, and you have to work hard. It pushes you to work hard. It pushes you to fight to do extra reps to make sure that you don't let the mistake happen again."
A motivated Sherman (not that he's not always motivated) entering the final year of his contract could mean big things for San Francisco's defense in 2020.
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
NFL announces fines against two 49ers players from game in Tampa
The NFL has fined two San Francisco 49ers players from last Sunday's win in Tampa against the Buccaneers. FB Kyle Juszczyk was fined $11,817 for a low block, and LB Fred Warner was fined $11,255 for a facemask. No Buccaneers players were fined. Juszczyk was not called for the... -
Report: 49ers optimistic Trent Williams will play against Packers
Trent Williams did not practice this past week, casting doubt on his availability for the San Francisco 49ers' Week 12 clash with the Green Bay Packers. The veteran offensive lineman has been nursing an ankle injury and was officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game at... -
49ers vs. Packers injury report: Purdy briefly throws before exiting practice; Still no Williams, Bosa
The San Francisco 49ers are preparing for their Week 12 contest against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Brock Purdy, who refrained from throwing during Wednesday's practice due to a shoulder injury, resumed light throwing to team staff... -
Pelissero provides update on Brock Purdy's injury and 49ers-Packers status
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy was limited during Wednesday's practice and refrained from throwing altogether in at least the position of practice that was open to the media. Purdy is dealing with a shoulder injury sustained during Sunday's loss to the Seattle...