The Seahawks made headlines Friday with their release of former All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman. San Francisco, with a glaring need at cornerback, immediately entered the conversation as a possible destination for their once outspoken nemesis.
It would seem the 49ers are wasting no time, as coach Kyle Shanahan reportedly met with Sherman at a Bay Area restaurant Friday evening, per The Athletic’s Marcus Thompson.
According to somebody who was at the restaurant, Shanahan dined with Sherman and his wife at Nick’s Next Door restaurant in Los Gatos tonight. It seems the courting may have already begun.
Sherman’s meeting with 49ers brass on the same day as his official release is worth noting. Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh has patterned San Francisco’s defense after the 4-3 scheme he learned as an assistant in Seattle when the 49ers-Seahawks rivalry was at its peak in 2011 to 2013.
Sherman indicated in a recent radio interview that he wouldn’t be opposed to joining a youthful secondary like the one found in San Francisco:
“Would I go to a young secondary that is like we were when we were younger and help them grow and help them advance? Sure, if the number looks right and the situation is comfortable for me and my family.”
Sherman turns 30 this month and is coming off a November Achilles tear that ended his streak of 105 consecutive games dating back to when he entered the league in 2011. Despite on-going recovery, he’d be an intriguing veteran addition for general manager John Lynch, adding a powerful presence both on and off the field that’s sure to make headlines.
The new league year begins Wednesday and the 49ers figure to be active with some $50 million in cap space to spend. They’ve also been linked to Trumaine Johnson, one of the top free agent corners available, and might consider Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler, Rashaan Melvin of the Colts or Washington’s Bashaud Breeland.
