Richard Sherman is set to become a 49er, but he may not have been San Francisco’s top cornerback pursuit this offseason.
Sherman’s availability on the open market didn’t last very long, as the four-time Pro Bowl selection agreed to a free-agent contract with the Niners just one day after being released by the NFC West rival Seattle Seahawks.
But while Sherman didn’t waste time inking a deal with San Francisco, a fellow star corner wasn’t as eager about taking his talents to the Bay Area. The 49ers reportedly tried to swing a trade for Aqib Talib, but the former Denver Broncos CB wasn’t having it, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
An example of how simple decisions this week affect players, teams and futures.
Aqib Talib rejected a trade that was agreed to between Denver and SF; wouldn’t report. He later is traded to LA.
So SF doesn’t get its CB, Richard Sherman is released and he winds up in SF.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2018
The Broncos ultimately wound up agreeing to trade Talib to the Rams, and it makes sense why Talib would prefer Los Angeles to San Francisco. The Rams reached the postseason in 2017 and boast one of the stoutest defenses in the NFL. Not to mention, Talib will get to play opposite Marcus Peters, who was sent to Los Angeles via a trade from the Kansas City Chiefs.
However, the 49ers soon could be on the rise to becoming one of the stronger teams in the NFC. San Francisco rattled off five straight wins to close last season, and the team appears on the verge of big things with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo under center.
So, did Talib make the right choice? Only time will tell.
