Veteran cornerback Richard Sherman is a free agent later this spring, and he conceded he will not be returning to the San Francisco 49ers in 2021.

Sherman told Chris Biderman of the Sacramento Bee he spoke with general manager John Lynch recently, and that the two sides have agreed to go their separate ways. The former All-Pro noted the conversation was amicable:

“It’s been made pretty clear,” former 49ers CB Richard Sherman said, via Biderman. “It was a good conversation, nothing crazy. Just a good conversation about where they are and where I am, and their plans. We were both very positive and as good as you can be in a situation like this.”

The Compton native had a rebirth in the Bay Area after suffering an Achilles injury with the Seattle Seahawks in 2017.

Sherman made the Pro Bowl team in 2019, racking up three interceptions–including one for a touchdown–and 11 passes defended as the Niners made it all the way to the Super Bowl. Unfortunately, injuries limited the 32-year-old to just five games in 2020. Still, Sherman had nothing but positive things to say about his three-year stint in San Francisco:

“Very positive. It was an incredible chapter in my career and I got to meet and play with some incredible human beings,” the former 49ers talent told The Bee. “I met some phenomenal coaches, and obviously the relationships that were forged will be lifetime connection and my relationship with ‘The Faithful’ has obviously evolved during that time, which has been a pretty cool arc in the story. And I’m grateful for it.”

It probably does not make sense for the 49ers to pour money into a 32-year-old corner, especially when they would like to re-sign left tackle Trent Williams.

Richard Sherman will look for opportunities elsewhere, and undoubtedly will carry a chip on his shoulder as he looks to reestablish himself as a top cover corner.