NFL trade deadline 2018: Latest 49ers news, rumors and reports
By Peter Panacy
Pierre Garçon on the Trading Block
According to an Oct. 28 report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, wide receiver Pierre Garçon is garnering a lot of interest from teams leading up to the deadline.
San Francisco 49ers
Here’s what Schefter had to say:
"The 49ers have fielded calls from at least three teams in the past week inquiring whether Garcon is available, and San Francisco has listened to what others are offering as talks are expected to continue following Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals, sources told ESPN."
Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed Schefter’s story following the 49ers’ 18-15 Week 8 loss in Arizona, although he also noted there was nothing officially on the table.
Garçon, 32 years old, is signed through 2021. But the last three years of his deal have team options, which could be attractive for a suitor on the open market.
The problem, though, is Garçon’s production has been nowhere close to where it was the first half of last season. Through seven games played, the veteran has just 21 catches for 230 yards. At the halfway point last year, Garçon had numbers of 40 and 500, respectively.
Still, Garçon’s veteran prowess and physicality could have some noted value on the open market. The return compensation might not be too much. But moving him would open up doors for younger receivers like Kendrick Bourne and Dante Pettis to assume larger roles.
They’re bigger parts of San Francisco’s long-term plans anyway.