After multiple reports on Saturday afternoon, the 49ers officially signed four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Richard Sherman to a three-year deal, the team announced via press release on Sunday. The release also included the first comments from general manager John Lynch about the signing, and detailed what he believes Sherman can bring to the table for the 49ers.
“Richard is one of the premier competitors Kyle and I have ever encountered,” said General Manager John Lynch. “We look forward to him sharing his wealth of experience and his passion for the game of football with our team. Richard has long been looked at as the prototypical corner in our scheme and the opportunity to have him mentor our players was one we needed to attack. Most importantly, we are excited to have a championship caliber corner on the field for the 49ers.”
Sherman, 29, played for 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh during the first three years of his career, when Saleh was the defensive quality control coach in Seattle from 2011-2013. Saleh’s defensive scheme in San Francisco is similar to Pete Carroll’s, which places an emphasis on big, physical cornerbacks like Sherman.
If he is able to recover fully from his ruptured Achilles, Sherman should immediately help improve a 49ers secondary that finished dead last in breakups plus interceptions last year. Sherman has intercepted 32 passes throughout his seven year career.
Pass breakups + interceptions by each team’s secondary in 2017! pic.twitter.com/f12uLSvxu1
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) March 11, 2018