Sherman is betting on himself, like Kaepeenick did. The 49ers should actually be in salary cap hell given what happened with Kap and them signing him to a monster contract in 2014.
Thing is, Kap was an idiot, and so was his agent for loading his contract with all kind of incentive based triggers and very little guaranteed money. He basically signed a "show me" contract coming off a fucking career year and Super Bowl appearance, a playoff game where he ran for 182 yards in a game as the QB, followed by him throwing for 420 yards against the Packers in his first star the following year.
His stock was as high as it would ever get, he was on GQ magazine before the whole kneeling thing. He used to have a haircut and be on commercials. He could have roped the Niners into giving him a ton of garaunteed money, and they would have had to give it to him. Instead he opted to sign a "monster" contract, with a ton of incentive triggers in order to reap in 100+ million.
Problem was, he floundered the following year, and Harbaugh was gone, followed by another terrible season and the Niners were able to escape his now awful looking contract and looked very shrewd in the process.
Now, they are doing the same with Sherman. If he shits the bed they are on the hook for 7 million dollars, out of 67 million in cap space. If he makes the Pro Bowl he gets 8 million next year plus some more change, and the 49ers will have one of the best CB's in the league starting for them.
And I know achilles injuries are terrible, and maybe it will take 2 years for Sherman to "fully" recover. But we are in 2018, medical technology is better than its ever been, and I think Sherman can get to at least 75% of his former self. 75% of Richard Sherman is better than most guys' 100%.
edit: Also, RIchard Sherman's locker room presence is incalculable. He will mentor the defense and make sure guys are communicating. He brings an instant level of respect to the unit when other teams know he is on the field. His intelligence and size/physicality alone will be enough for him to be effective in that cover 3. And now with Jimmy G comfortable and paid, he can continue to develop as the face of the franchise and offensive leader. Jimmy G bringing the Patriot way, while Sherman brings in the Seattle defensive mentality and swag and now your talking about a totally different locker room.
Compare that to looking at C.J Beathard in the huddle and knowing your going 3 and out.
