San Francisco 49ers: 5 players who’ll lose starting jobs in 2019
By Peter Panacy
No. 4: Wide Receiver Pierre Garçon
Wide receiver Pierre Garçon managed to find the end zone back in Week 9 against the Oakland Raiders for the first time since the 49ers signed him in free agency back in 2017.
San Francisco 49ers
To date, Garçon has managed a mere 286 yards receiving on 24 receptions — not exactly the kind of numbers one would hope for out of what should have been a bona fide contributor. And while the entirety of San Francisco’s receiving corps has underperformed this season, Garçon’s relative absence from the stat sheet is a big part of the problem.
While he’s signed through 2021, technically, the 49ers hold option years for 2019, 2020 and 2021. If this season is an indication of the kind of numbers one can expect from Garçon moving forward, it’s safe to say Kyle Shanahan will seek an upgrade.
It’s possible one of those upgrades could already be on the roster.
Sitting Garçon now would open up more playing time for younger wideouts, namely Kendrick Bourne and Dante Pettis.
Pettis, the Niners’ second-round NFL Draft pick from 2018, has largely disappointed this year after such a promising training camp and preseason. Yet San Francisco has far more invested in him moving forward than Garçon.
Garçon could still be on the roster in 2019, especially if the 49ers are concerned about their depth. But he probably won’t wind up with the starting nod at all.
Speaking of wide receivers…