According to a report, the Richard Sherman deal with the San Francisco 49ers might be a fancy form of smoke and mirrors. A slight of hand, magic trick—something not entirely new within the confines of NFL players' contracts.

For context, Sherman inked a three-year deal, supposedly worth 39 million American dollars. However, of note, Sherman told ESPN's Josina Anderson that the deal is worth “up to $39.15 million.”

Semantics this is not, there is a huge difference between “up to” and actually $39 million.

The NFL's franchises aren't beholden to guaranteed contracts. Furthermore, a player being able to make “up to” whatever ungodly number, but never actually reaching said numerical goal, is more common than not.

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Sherman's deal is apparently laced with performance-based incentives. That's where the “up to” comes in. He would theoretically make a few million extra for making Pro Bowls, hitting statistical milestones, etc. Obviously, Richard Sherman would also have to make it his entire contract without being cut to make the full deal.

One of the better corners in the National Football League since 2011, Sherman has seen a slight dip in dominance the last few years. Like running backs, the cornerback position sometimes sees wickedly talented players have their dominance drop off a cliff without any real sign of that coming.

Only time will tell what the former Seattle Seahawks standout has left in the tank.