Wide receiver Pierre Garçon figured to be a top free-agent target for 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan.
And that is reportedly happening, as the NFL’s open-negotiating period with free agents enters its second day. The 49ers are “setting their sights” on Garçon, reports Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. The official free-agent signing period opens Thursday at 1 p.m., but teams are allowed to negotiate with agents representing players up to that point.
When Garçon finalizes his deal with the 49ers, he is expected to net $16 million in the first year, reports Chris Mortensen of ESPN.
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Garçon, who turns 31 in August, is coming off a 79-catch, 1,041-yard season with Washington. He produced his best season while in Washington working with Shanahan as the offensive coordinator.
In their third of three seasons together, Garçon caught 113 passes for 1,346 yards in Shanahan’s offense in 2013.
The 49ers released veteran receiver Torrey Smith this week. Garçon, a nine-year veteran, is considered a more versatile receiver with the ability to run all the routes in Shanahan’s offense.
The Los Angeles Rams could also be interested in Garçon. New Rams coach Sean McVay was with Washington for all of Garçon’s five seasons. McVay was Washington’s offensive coordinator the past three seasons.