Oct 19, 2014; San Diego; Chiefs fullback Anthony Sherman (42) scores a touchdown against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Chiefs on Wednesday signed fullback Anthony Sherman to a contract extension.
While the Chiefs did not disclose the terms of the contract, Dave Skretta of The Associated Press reports the deal is a three-year, $7 million extension.
“It was important for us to keep Anthony here in Kansas City,” general manager John Dorsey said in a statement released by the team. “He brings a lot to our football team with not only his play, but his work ethic, leadership and character. He doesn’t get a lot of recognition at his position, but he has been a key component to our success as a team.”
The 5-10, 242-pound Sherman, who played collegiately at Connecticut, is in his second season with Chiefs after being acquired via trade with the Arizona Cardinals on May 1, 2013.
Sherman entered the league in 2011 as a fifth-round draft pick of the Cardinals and entered the 2014 season in the final year of his rookie contract.
Wednesday’s signing brought a big smile to Sherman’s face in the locker room.
“I definitely wanted to stay here,” Sherman said, “definitely wanted to be a part of this team. We’re going to do some good things. I want to stay in Kansas City, so it was definitely good to get out of the way.”
Sherman has appeared in 23 games (10 starts) with the Chiefs, and the team enjoys utilizing his versatility.
The native of North Attleboro, Mass., has 204 yards receiving and two touchdowns on 23 catches and 11 yards rushing on four carries the past two seasons.
“In this offense, which isn’t the case in a lot of offenses in today’s football, the fullback ends up being an important part of that,” coach Andy Reid said. “And with that, they’ve got to be a good blocker and they’ve also got to be able to catch the football.”
The Chiefs also utilize Sherman on special teams where he’s totaled 17 tackles the past two seasons.
“He’s one of your top special teams players,” Reid said. “With that, John Dorsey extended him. He’s also one of the leaders on the football team. He kind of covers a bunch of bases there, but most of all he’s a good football player.”
Still, arguably Sherman’s largest contribution comes as the lead blocker for All-Pro running back Jamaal Charles.
Charles rushed for 1,287 yards with Sherman leading the way, and the Chiefs’ ground game enters Week 10 ranked sixth in the league, averaging 136.9 yards per game.
The Chiefs ultimately secured a player who isn’t just a key part of the offense and special teams, but a player his teammates respect.
“I really don’t think there’s a guy in this locker room who’s not happy for him today,” quarterback Alex Smith said. “So selfless, team guy, team first. Does it all – special teams, fullback – we move him around. We do a lot with him, it doesn’t matter. You could ask him to go out there and play any position and he would go out there and do it. Incredibly selfless guy, a guy everybody loves to have around, love to have in the locker room, that kind of personality, so happy for him.”
UPDATE: Charles wasn’t made available to the media to get his thoughts on his lead blocker’s contract extension, but Charles took to Twitter to congratulate Sherman:
Congrats to my fullback @shermanator35 on his new deal! #ChiefsKingdom http://t.co/crrMaSD3qD
— Jamaal Charles (@jcharles25) November 6, 2014
