As I’ve been reporting on KNBR’s airwaves the last couple of days, the San Francisco 49ers were going to make Pierre Garcon their top target in free agency. Chris Mortensen is reporting the deal is being finalized.
When Pierre Garcon finalizes deal with 49ers, as expected, league sources believe he will make $16 million in first year.
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) March 8, 2017
The contract seems a little excessive, but I’m told the 49ers believe they can use Garcon as a No. 1 receiver upon his arrival. Here is what I was able to gather in Indianapolis last week at the combine.
I've been reporting on KNBR's airwaves the 49ers will target Pierre Garçon. Here's what I gathered from Indianapolis on him pic.twitter.com/fN4LiyobuL
— Kevin Jones (@Mr_KevinJones) March 8, 2017
The irony of the Garcon move is that he was the first big-name free agent the Redskins signed when Shanahan arrived in Washington in 2012. Critics blasted the move, calling Garcon a product of Peyton Manning’s offense. But the 30-year-old silenced the doubters, putting up productive numbers every season for the Redskins — even when his targets wore thin because of the additions of DeSean Jackson, Jordan Reed and Jamison Crowder.
Garcon in particular was beloved for his toughness. He hasn’t missed a game in four seasons. In 2013 under Shanahan, amassed 113 receptions and 1,346 yards.
The money is a lot, but we knew the 49ers were going to have to overpay for free agents this season, especially without a quarterback in place. Shanahan is confident he can get 1,000 yards or more next season from Garcon. At the early stages of this rebuild, it’s hard to put a price on reliability and productivity from an incoming veteran player with options.