49ers expected to sign Washington WR Pierre Garçon on Thursday

The San Francisco 49ers appear to be set to sign Washington Redskins WR Pierre Garçon. A report by Chris Mortensen of ESPN stated that the deal may be frontloaded and Garçon could make $16 million in his first year with the team.


On Tuesday, Mike Silver of NFL Media noted that Garçon could be on his way to San Francisco. On Wednesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Media wrote that the 49ers have set their sights on signing Garçon and that his familiarity with head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense may be playing a part in the decision.


Rapoport added on NFL Network's "Good Morning Football" on Wednesday that the receiver should earn upwards of $10 million per season.

Garçon's best season came in 2013 with Washington when he caught 113 passes for 1,346 yards and five touchdowns. That was the last of two seasons that Garçon spent with Shanahan as his offensive coordinator.

Garçon will be 31 when the 2017 season kicks off, but he is coming off his second career 1,000-plus-yard season. In 2016, he had 79 receptions for 1,041 yards and three touchdowns. He could come at a significantly cheaper price tag than a player like Alshon Jeffery but still dramatically improve the 49ers' group of wide receivers.

"His skill set is built to last, as his game is not based on speed but on route running, toughness and sure hands, similar to ex-Niner Anquan Boldin," wrote our own Jason Bertolucci while looking at potential free agents for the 49ers.