Richard Sherman believes an ability to adjust will be the key to NFL success in 2020

San Francisco 49ers’ Richard Sherman believes that navigating this offseason in the shadow of a pandemic is a unique situation but teams that roll with the punches will be the ones left standing in the post season.

“The offseason has been different but we’re pros and we get our work in and we’ve been able to prepare and stay on top of our game,” Sherman said. “Obviously it’s an adjustment and winning teams find a way to adjust the best in these situations. I think the team that will adapt the best, will be the one holding the trophy at the end.”

Sherman was outspoken in the days leading up to the league’s agreement to the joint committee’s training camp plan. The All-Pro cornerback couldn’t understand how league officials seemed to be ignoring the recommendations of the doctors assembled by both the NFL and the NFLPA.

Sherman is aware of the collateral damage that it causes but believes it was necessary for the greater good.

“I know people wanted preseason, but there was no way to do preseason safely in our opinion,” Sherman said. “I think it will work out well in the long run for our men. Obviously it will hurt some of our guys but you just want to do what’s right for the majority.”

Additionally, rosters are down 10 spots, limiting team rosters to 80 players for training camp. Pressure is on fringe players to really show what they are capable of in practice, but even that might not be enough.

“It is unfortunate for the guys who are competing for a job, competing for a starting spot and things like that because you don’t get a chance to put it on actual tape,” Sherman said. “Practice tape and practice reps and doing it right in practice only goes so far. You only get so much credit for that.

“It’s going to be one of those years where it’s tough for guys like that to make the team and that’s the part that really sucks because there’s been some fantastic fringe guys that have made this league and made this league what it is and made it great. Hopefully some of those guys will still get an opportunity but I know it will make it more difficult.”

One of the bright spots for players in an uncertain offseason was league approval of the gradual ramp-up to padded practices. Following the 2011 lock-out, player injuries were incredibly high as a result of players participating in full-contact practices much too quickly.

Sherman and several NFL players took to social media with an effective #WeWantToPlay campaign that appeared to put pressure on the league while increasing public awareness.

“It was super important,” Sherman said. “I think that a lot has been learned from the 2011 lock out year and how many injuries because they went straight from nothing to real life football. A few days of preparation and then shoulder pads, and helmets and guys—that’s just not how the human body works.”

Hopefully with their new plan in place, players stay healthy enough to make it through the 2020 season.