Sherman wants to sign with 'competitive team,' play 2 more seasons

San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman is entering the twilight of his likely Hall of Fame career.

The pending unrestricted free agent, who'll turn 33 in March, said Monday he intends to play only until he's 35 years old.

"I only want to play two more (seasons)," Sherman told Stephen A. Smith, according to ESPN's Nick Wagoner. "I want to get on a competitive team. I think I still have a lot to give to the game.

"I think I still have a lot that I want to accomplish and I think I can go out there and help a defense come together like it should and reach their potential, reach the heights that the defenses that I've played on have reached."

Sherman still expects to leave the 49ers after saying in December it would take a "miracle" to return due to the NFC West club's other in-house free agents and lack of cap space.

The Las Vegas Raiders appear to be one of the teams most interested in the former Seattle Seahawks star. Head coach Jon Gruden told Sherman last week he's "looking for an alpha presence in our secondary" during an appearance on the podcast the cornerback co-hosts with Cris Collinsworth.

Gruden's comments were regarded by some as potential tampering. Sherman defended the Raiders head coach, saying it was just "good entertainment."

Sherman earned his fifth Pro Bowl nod and second-team All-Pro nomination in 2019 after joining the 49ers as a free agent the year prior. But the veteran appeared in just five games this season due to a calf injury.