49ers Rumors: Richard Sherman Given $1M Bonus After Missing Play-Time Incentive

The San Francisco 49ers have reportedly paid cornerback Richard Sherman a $1 million bonus despite the fact that he didn't hit the required playing-time threshold in his contract.

According to ESPN's Field Yates, the Niners made good on general manager John Lynch's promise that they would do so despite the fact that Sherman didn't quite reach the 90 percent play-time incentive.

Sherman started all 15 of the regular-season games he appeared in last season and finished with 61 tackles, 11 passes defended and three interceptions en route to his fifth career Pro Bowl nod.

The 31-year-old Sherman also recorded six tackles, two passes defended, two interceptions and one forced fumble in three playoff games, including the 49ers' Super Bowl LIV loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Per Pro Football Reference, Sherman played 87 percent of the 49ers' defensive snaps in 2019. Although that left him just short of the 90 percent mark, it was by far his most playing time since playing 98 percent of the defensive snaps for the Seattle Seahawks in 2016.

Sherman struggled with injuries in 2017 and 2018, missing a total of nine games, but he showed last season that he still has something left in the tank.

With five Pro Bowl nods, three First-Team All-Pro selections, one Super Bowl win and 35 career interceptions to his credit, Sherman has arguably been the NFL's best cornerback during his nine years in the league.

According to Spotrac, Sherman is set to enter the final year of his contract in 2020, meaning his play next season could have a significant role in whether he remains with the Niners beyond that.

Sherman is once again slated to start across from Ahkello Witherspoon, and there are no other cornerbacks on the San Francisco roster that seem likely to push either starter for significant playing time.

The veteran defensive back is an important part of one of the NFL's best and deepest teams, and he figures to be in the mix for his second career Super Bowl title again in 2020.