Money talks. The San Francisco 49ers will reportedly pay free agent wide receiver Pierre Garcon $16 million next season, as part of a front-loaded, lucrative contract, according to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen.
But the real story behind the Garcon signing isn’t the money. It’s the fact that he trusts Kyle Shanahan so much, he was willing to sign blindly, without knowing who will play quarterback next season and beyond in San Francisco.
The 49ers landing a productive receiver who could’ve easily signed with a contender has everything to do with their brand new head coach. Shanahan is a quarterback genius and Garcon has benefited from the brilliance before. While Robert Griffin III was struggling to grasp playing from within the pocket in 2013, Shanahan still helped Garcon lead the league with 113 receptions and 1,346 yards. The Redskins struggled to win games that year, but they did not struggle moving the football.
Whether it’s Brian Hoyer, Matt Schaub, Deshaun Watson or Mitch Trubisky, Garcon has placed his faith in Shanahan’s coaching abilities. He trusts the 49ers will eventually find a franchise quarterback, and until they do, Shanahan will still be able to make Garcon a productive player on offense. I’m told a reunion with Kirk Cousins was intriguing to Garcon, but it was not the major selling point at all. Garcon is a chess piece Shanahan has proven he knows how to get open.
What other first-time head coaches around the league have this kind of sway with free agents? It’s a rare gift Shanahan has brought to San Francisco. He’s elevated so many different types of players around the league that his former pupils feel a sense of loyalty to him. Garcon didn’t want to miss the chance of posting career-numbers. This signing — for the coach and player — was about guaranteed production. Both trust each other.
The Los Angeles Rams have Jared Goff and Garcon’s former offensive coordinator Sean McVay now leading the show. They were just as interested in the Haitian native. He also could’ve waited for a contender for slightly less money. Garcon has a wildly successful pizza joint, Spin Fire, in Northern Virginia. Despite the offseason drama right now, the Redskins could easily make the postseason next year.
Money is always the forefront of free agency, but that and Shanahan alone were the only two things San Francisco had to offer. Garcon doesn’t really even know who his running mates will be at his position. Again, money talks, but Shanahan’s credibility rings just as loud.
Some fans will whine that the team should’ve thrown that type of money at Alshon Jeffery, but I’m told the 49ers had serious concerns about his durability. Garcon hasn’t missed a game since 2012; Redskins teammates constantly commended him for his toughness. Sources at the combine in Indianapolis told KNBR.com the 49ers viewed Garcon as a less expensive and more reliable playmaker than Jeffery. Garcon was San Francisco’s number one free agent target on offense. Shanahan feels comfortable the offense can be successful next season now with one of his favorite receivers on the roster.
Pro Football Focus ranked Garcon as the No. 8 wide receiver in the league last season. He dropped just one pass in 80 catchable targets. Again, this signing was all about reliability for the 49ers. Garcon is a very balanced player, and not purely a possession receiver. Of the free agent class — Jeffery, DeSean Jackson and Terrelle Pryor — Garcon’s 150 catches the last two seasons were 46 more than the next closest competitor.
Garon is also a locker room leader and won’t shy away from the tough things that need to be said — filling the void Torrey Smith is leaving behind in Santa Clara. Garcon is a devastating blocker in the run game. He does so many of the little things correctly. Shanahan can use him as an example to coach up younger receivers added in the draft. He’s what we call a pro’s pro.
We’re not exactly sure how all of this will transpire on the field, but one thing is certain about this new regime: They are winning in the meeting room. The Garcon singing comes on top of Earl Mitchell and K’Waun Williams, both who turned down contract offers from more established teams. Players are willing to be a part of this rebuilding process in San Francisco — not something you always see in the NFL. Free agents want to come to San Francisco and we haven’t said that in ages.
The energy and optimism Jed York created by hiring Shanahan and GM John Lynch is now playing out in free agency.