Pierre Garcon - Pro Football Rumors

Latest On DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon

February 11th, 2017 at 7:55pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Free agent receiver Pierre Garcon is expected to garner $9MM per season on the open market, and Redskins teammate DeSean Jackson could command even more, sources tell John Keim of ESPN.com.

Garcon, 30, has already been linked to five clubs — the Rams, Eagles, Bears, Cowboys, and 49ers — a month before the free agent process begins, so it’s not a surprise that he’s targeting an annual salary that would place him among the top-20 highest-paid wide receivers. Although Garcon has hinted he’d prefer a reunion with Washington, Keim expects Garcon to accept the largest contact offer in free agency after posting 79 receptions, 1,041 yards, and three touchdowns.

Jackson, meanwhile, can expect a salary near or exceeding double digits, and as Mike Garafolo of NFL.com reported earlier today, Jackson will likely have to take less money in order to remain with the Redskins. The 30-year-old Jackson is reportedly interested in heading back to Philadelphia this offseason, a scenario the Eagles have also contemplated. In his third season with Washington, Jackson led the league in yards per catch for the second time in three years while scoring four times.

The Redskins haven’t begun negotiations with either Garcon or Jackson, but neither are expected to offer any sort of hometown discount. As such, Keim writes that a “real likelihood” exists that both Garcon and Jackson defect via free agency.

Five Teams Interested In WR Pierre Garcon

February 10th, 2017 at 5:39pm CST by Dallas Robinson

At least five clubs are expected to express interest in Redskins wide receiver Pierre Garcon, according to Mike Jones of the Washington Post, who reports the Rams, Eagles, Bears, Cowboys, and 49ers are among the teams intrigued by the veteran pass-catcher. Garcon, for his part, would prefer to return to Washington, but as of earlier this week, the Redskins have not engaged in contract talks with the 30-year-old.

Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Chicago, and San Francisco are all engaged in various stages of rebuilding, and as Jones notes, each club would view Garcon as a “security blanket” as they continue to develop young quarterbacks. In the case of the Bears and 49ers, of course, that youthful signal-caller is likely not yet on the roster, but the Rams’ Jared Goff and Eagles’ Carson Wentz could each use new weapons as they head into their second NFL campaigns. Of the four clubs mentioned here, none finished higher than 16th in offensive DVOA in 2016, with Chicago leading the way and Los Angeles — dead last at No. 32 — rounding out the list.

The Cowboys, on the other hand, are in a different boat altogether, and are squarely in the 2018 Super Bowl conversation following a season that saw the breakout of quarterback Dak Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott, continuous excellence from the offensive line, and viable receiving threats that allowed the unit to rank third in DVOA. However, with both Terrance Williams and Brice Butler scheduled to hit unrestricted free agency next month, Dallas could be on the lookout for a dependable No. 2 wide receiver, a description that Garcon ably fits.

In his ninth NFL season, Garcon led the Redskins in both receptions (79) and receiving yards (1,041) while managing three touchdowns, and finished 10th in DYAR and 15th DVOA among wideouts. Coming off a five-year deal signed in 2012, Garcon averaged an $8.5MM salary during his time with Washington.

Redskins Notes: Davis, WRs, Cap Casualties

February 8th, 2017 at 5:50pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

With the exception of tight end Vernon Davis, the Redskins haven’t yet had any discussions with their pending free agents regarding new contracts, according to John Keim of ESPN.com. Aside from Davis, the team’s list of unsigned players includes quarterback Kirk Cousins, wide receivers Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson, and defensive end Chris Baker, among others. As Keim notes, though, the team’s decision not to engage with any of its potentially soon-to-be available players isn’t necessarily cause for concern, writing that “there’s no urgency yet and multiple agents weren’t surprised no one has been contacted.” Nevertheless, it would behoove the Redskins to retain at least one of Garcon or Jackson, opines Keim, who argues that better options in free agency will be few in number. Garcon and Jackson were the only Redskins targets to exceed 1,000 receiving yards last season, and losing the pair would leave them with Jamison Crowder and Josh Doctson – who endured a lost rookie year because of an Achilles injury – as their top two wideouts.

NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Claiborne, Garcon

February 7th, 2017 at 10:06am CST by Zachary Links

Cornerback Morris Claiborne is one of the free agents most likely to depart the Cowboys this offseason, Kate Hairopoulos of The Dallas Morning News writes. Claiborne had a strong start to the season, but injuries were again an issue for him and he wound up missing the final nine regular season games before returning in the postseason. While he flashed his potential, Hairopoulos feels the Cowboys will not offer him a multi-year deal because of his inability to stay on the field. In the end, a fresh start could be the best outcome for both sides.

Here’s more from the NFC East:

The Eagles are set to face some major cap-related decisions in the coming weeks, Tim McManus of ESPN.com writes. The team could save $7.75MM by dropping defensive end Connor Barwin and although he’s willing to take a pay cut, former agent Joel Corry tells McManus that both sides would be better off with a release because he doesn’t fit a 4-3 scheme. Others to address include center Jason Kelce ($6.2MM cap number, $3.8MM savings if cut), linebacker Mychal Kendricks ($6.6MM cap number, $1.8MM savings), and left tackle Jason Peters ($11.7MM cap number, $9.7MM savings).
The Redskins have yet to talk to pending free agent Pierre Garcon and other veterans who are out of contract, John Keim of ESPN.com tweets. However, it’s early, so this doesn’t necessarily mean that the team is looking to move on from the veteran wide receiver. Earlier today, one writer posited that Garcon would be a good fit for the Ravens. At his age, Garcon is not a WR1-type, but he still has plenty of value as a possession receiver.
The Giants are reportedly intrigued by South Alabama tight end Gerald Everett as they look ahead to the draft.

Pierre Garcon Eyeing Redskins Return?

December 26th, 2016 at 5:36pm CST by Sam Robinson

Still listed on the “In the Hunt” portion of playoff info graphics, the Redskins have a chance to delay their offseason this weekend by booking a second straight postseason berth. But the recently unseated NFC East champions will have decisions to make regarding their receiving corps soon.

Both DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon could be entering the final games of their Washington contracts on Sunday, but the older — by four months — of the team’s two impending UFA pass-catchers would like to sign a second Redskins contract. “I love playing in Washington, and the fans are amazing. D.C. is home for me,” Garcon said during an appearance on Sirius XM Radio (Twitter link).

Garcon has played out the five-year, $42.4MM contract he signed with Washington in 2012 and is amid the second-best season of his half-decade run with the Redskins. The former Colt is 55 yards away from the second 1,000-yard season of his career, with the chain-moving target’s 75 receptions representing the second-most in his nine-year run as well.

The top statistical season of Garcon’s career came in 2013, when he amassed 1,346 yards and five touchdowns on 113 receptions. Two 700-plus-yard seasons followed in 2014-15 before what’s quietly been a quality 2016 slate.

Washington could lose two of its top three wideouts this offseason, with only Jamison Crowder under contract among the trio for 2017, and likely will not retain both Jackson and Garcon. The latter playing Sunday would give him four straight 16-game seasons. Jackson, though, leads Washington with 971 receiving yards on 18.0 per reception. Both figure to be coveted free agents situated near the top of the 2017 UFA class, one that stands to include Alshon Jeffery, Kenny Britt, Michael Floyd and Terrelle Pryor.

A medium-length deal would probably be what the Redskins would prefer regarding one of these 30-year-old receivers. The team will not have much tied to the wideout position, with Crowder and Josh Doctson still on their rookie deals, and stands to possess upwards of $47MM in cap space.

We haven’t heard much on Garcon’s UFA options, but a report emerged earlier this month about mutual interest existing between the Eagles and a Jackson reunion. In November, a report placed the odds at 50-50 on whether or not the Redskins re-sign Jackson, citing his injury history as a potential road block. Jackson has not played a full 16-game season since 2013, but if the deep threat plays Sunday as he’s expected to, he will have suited up for 15 regular-season games in the past two years. So, the injury history might be a tad overblown in assessing D-Jax’s value.

NFC Notes: Lions, Staley, Redskins

November 6th, 2016 at 11:41am CST by Rory Parks

Let’s take a look at some notes from the NFC as we head into the full slate of Week 9 action:

Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com says that Lions fans should not expect any shakeups in the club’s defensive coaching staff this year, even if the defense continues to struggle. Rothstein notes that Teryl Austin is a good coordinator and that the team has shown improvement in some areas–like its pass rush and in total yards allowed–and the fact that Austin’s unit has been ravaged by injury gives him a bit of a pass.
Speaking of injured Lions, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press tweets that Detroit could try to make DeAndre Levy restructure his contract at the end of the year. Levy is set to count $8.39MM against the cap, and the Lions would be on the hook for $7.2MM in dead money if they were to cut Levy.
We learned earlier today that the Raiders were going to prioritize a new contract for Derek Carr this offseason, and former NFL agent Joel Corry tweets that Matthew Stafford would be wise to wait and see what type of deal Carr gets before entering into extension talks with the Lions.
49ers tackle Joe Staley, now 32, has not given any thought to retirement, according to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. Staley was the subject of trade rumors leading up to last week’s deadline, but he never thought he would be dealt and he continues to be singularly focused on returning the Lombardi Trophy to the Niners. He is under contract through 2019.
Josh Doctson‘s lost rookie season may change things, but John Keim of ESPN.com does not foresee the Redskins retaining more than one of DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon. Both players, in fact, may look to move on in 2017, and if that happens, Washington would be forced to look for wide receiver help on the open market and/or expend a high draft choice on a wideout.
We learned earlier today that the Packers would bring in free agent RB Joique Bell for a workout tomorrow.

NFC Notes: Redskins, Cowboys, Cardinals

August 6th, 2016 at 10:55am CST by Ben Levine

Kirk Cousins‘ top two targets will both be free agents following the 2016 season, and ESPN.com’s John Keim writes that the Redskins quarterback will vicariously play a role in the duo’s future contracts.

Veteran wideouts Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson are both set to hit free agency following the season, and Cousins is focused on earning the pair as much money as possible.

“I said to guys in college that I would take great pride in them having NFL careers,” Cousins said, “and it’s a point of emphasis that I would get them the ball, help them play well enough as a college player and it would give them an opportunity to be noticed and play in the NFL. The same would be true now. I want to see them have great success in this league and have long careers and certainly as a quarterback, you have a role in that.”

For what it’s worth, both Garcon and Jackson are simply focused on their on-field production, as both veterans understand that that’s all they can control at this point.

“We can just give great effort and however they want to use us is how they use us,” Garcon said. “Kirk has to throw touchdowns and get passing yards and we have to get receiving yards. We can’t control the outcome of the contract, but we can control what goes on with us between the lines.”

“I’m just really keeping it real right here, keeping it real simple,” Jackson added. “I don’t want to put no extra pressure on anybody, on myself, on the team, nobody. I’m just here to work and be rewarded for whatever it is. Whatever that turns out to be at the end of the year, so be it.”

Let’s take a look at some more notes from the NFC…

Cowboys cornerback Brandon Carr took a significant pay cut for 2016, with his salary dropping from $9.1MM to $4.25MM. However, the veteran understands that on-field production will lead to a future payday. “Get the ball, get this money,” Carr told Clarence E. Hill Jr. of the Star-Telegram. “Keep it simple. Get the ball, make some plays and you’ll see what happens when it’s all said and done.”
Cowboys quarterbacks coach Wade Wilson has taken a personal leave to deal with “personal matters,” reports Hill. There’s no timeline for when the coach will return to the team. “I don’t know. I don’t want to speculate on that,” said vice president Stephen Jones. “Wade has got to take care of himself. I know no one wants to be out here more than him.”
Cardinals general manager Steve Keim had no issues extending 36-year-old Carson Palmer. In fact, the executive doesn’t want to imagine life without the talented quarterback. “That’s all I think about,” Keim said (via ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano). “That’s what keeps you up at night. I mean, if you think about it, what GM or coach doesn’t have their career attached to that position?…I was fortunate enough to get this job, and one of the first moves I made was to trade for Carson. And the rest is history. Three years, 10, 11 and 13 wins. And there’s no doubt he’s obviously the biggest impact.”
With Palmer, Larry Fitzgerald, and Tyrann Mathieu recently earning extensions, Cardinals defensive tackle Calais Campbell is hoping his new contract is next on the organization’s agenda. “I hope so,” Campbell told ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss. “Just one of those things when it comes, I’m going to be very happy but you got to be patient and continue playing ball and whenever it comes I’m going to be ready for it.”

No Contract Talks For DJax, Garcon

May 9th, 2016 at 7:34pm CST by Zachary Links

It appears that Washington plans on going into the 2016 with both DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon on the roster, multiple sources close to the players tell Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link). However, there have been no talks with either player about contract extensions or re-doing their contracts.

Garcon, 30 in August, has roughly $8MM tied up between salary and bonuses for 2016. Jackson, 29, is set to carry a $9.25MM cap number in 2016 before hitting the open market. Without contract talks for either player, it would seem that the team is getting ready to move on from one of the veterans – or perhaps both – after the 2016 season.

Based on their moves this offseason, it seems that Washington is already shifting its offensive focus away from Jackson and Garcon. The team used a first-round selection to grab TCU product Josh Doctson who was the third wide receiver to come off the board after Corey Coleman of Baylor (Browns) and Will Fuller of Notre Dame (Texans). And, more recently, Washington shook hands with tight end Jordan Reed on a brand new extension worth $48.421MM over five years. Cole posits that the team is looking to supplant one of its veteran wide receivers with Doctson while utilizing Reed as the star of its aerial attack.

Garcon caught 72 passes for 777 yards in 2015, a far cry from his 113 catches for 1,346 yards in 2013. Jackson spent a good chunk of 2015 on the sidelines and only managed to record 30 receptions for 528 yards across ten games last season. In his previous two campaigns, Jackson comfortably cleared 1,000 yards receiving.

Recently, PFR’s own Dallas Robinson highlighted Jackson and Garcon as two veterans who could be seriously impacted by the NFL Draft.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

NFC East Notes: Bradford, Ryans, Washington, Donnell

February 25th, 2016 at 7:24pm CST by Zachary Links

The latest from the NFC East:

Having spoken this week at the combine about how they’d like to re-sign Sam Bradford, Eagles head coach Doug Pederson and GM Howie Roseman met with the quarterback’s agent, Tom Condon, on Wednesday in Indianapolis, tweets Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Negotiations between the two sides are ongoing.
Agent Ben Dogra says the Eagles did not offer to keep DeMeco Ryans at a lower figure, per Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News (on Twitter). Dogra added that his client wants to continue his playing career after being cut by Philadelphia.
Washington team officials and agents for some of the club’s players will meet Friday to discuss contract restructurings, reports Mike Jones of the Washington Post. Jones lists receiver Pierre Garcon ($10.2MM), defensive end Jason Hatcher ($8.7MM) and safety Dashon Goldson ($8MM) as players whose deals Washington could look to rework.
Giants general manager Jerry Reese updated the status of tight end Larry Donnell, whose season ended in December because of a neck injury. “We’re expecting him to be back, but necks can be tricky, so we’ll have to wait and see where that goes,” Reese said Thursday. “Hopefully he can get healthy and come back and continue his career.” Despite Reese’s guarded statement, Donnell’s neck injury isn’t a “career concern,” a source tells the New York Daily News’ Ebenezer Samuel.

Connor Byrne contributed to this post.

NFC Links: Lions, Brees, Washington

January 23rd, 2016 at 11:50am CST by Ben Levine

Haloti Ngata was banged up for much of his first season in Detroit. Still, the veteran enjoyed his time with the Lions, and the impending free agent is very interested in returning.

“I’d love to stay,” he told Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com. “I love what coach (Jim) Caldwell has done here. I love playing under him and coach Kris (Kocurek). I feel like I got in a groove at the end of the season and hopefully I can play a full season understanding the system.”

Let’s look at some more notes from around the NFL…

The Lions are expected to hire David Walker as their running backs coach, reports Fox Sports’ Alex Marvez (via Twitter). Walker previously spent time on the Colts coaching staff, where he worked under Lions head coach Jim Caldwell.
Drew Brees doesn’t necessarily need to take a payout to save the Saints some money, writes ESPN.com’s Mike Triplett. The veteran quarterback could sign a multi-year extension, and the organization could then distribute the cap hit however they’d like. Ultimately, the writer believes the team should continue to pay Brees $20MM a season. While it isn’t necessarily a paycut, it’s well below what the veteran could make on the open market.
Safety Dashon Goldson could be among the surprise cap casualties for Washington this offseason, according to Rich Tandler of CSNMidAtlantic.com. Meanwhile, Tarik El-Bashir points to lineman Kory Lichtensteiger and receivers Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson.