A little over four years ago, the Seattle Seahawks beat the San Francisco 49ers in heart-breaking fashion in the 2014 NFC Championship Game. Cornerback Richard Sherman tipped a Colin Kaepernick pass intended for Michael Crabtree, and linebacker Malcolm Smith snagged the interception to effectively seal the deal.
Who knew how things would shake up with those three four years later.
Two players in this picture are currently on the #49ers roster. pic.twitter.com/q80q4MGuh2
— 49ers HUB (@49ersHub) March 11, 2018
Our friends at 49ers Hub found this picture showing Smith hauling in the interception, and it is kind of crazy how things changed between then and now. Smith departed the Seahawks in free agency following the 2014 season, signing a two year $7 million contract with the Oakland Raiders. In 2017, he signed a five year contract with the 49ers.
The Seahawks elected to release Sherman this week. He was recovering from Achilles surgery, and there was some hope they might come to terms on a deal that both could find equitable. Instead the 49ers swooped in and took care of business.
And of course, there’s Michael Crabtree. The receiver resides in the East Bay, playing for the Oakland Raiders. The 49ers and Raiders will square off this fall, which means assuming everybody is healthy, Crabtree and Sherman might get to square off at Levi’s Stadium. Crabtree would have faced Sherman if the latter had remained with the Seahawks, but the story is a little more fun with Sherman coming to the Bay Area. Add in Aqib Talib heading to the Rams and facing Crabtree and his chain as well, and it will make for a spicy 2018 season!