San Francisco 49ers: 3 potential cap casualties in 2019

WR Pierre Garcon

When the 49ers signed Pierre Garcon back in 2017, the goal was for him to quickly emerge as the go-to receiver in San Francisco. As you probably know by now, that’s been far from the case.

In fact, his signing has been a near-disaster for the 49ers. Despite giving him top-receiver money, Garcon hasn’t come close to top-receiver production. In only 16 appearances across two seasons, he’s amassed 64 catches, 786 yards and one measly touchdown. Only once during that time has he broken the 100-yard mark in a single game.

The problem is he simply can’t stay healthy. Both of his campaigns with the 49ers have ended on Injured Reserve. As a result of his sudden inability to stay on the field (he didn’t miss a single game during his final four seasons with the Washington Redskins), his effectiveness when playing took a huge hit. That reflects in the above-mentioned stats.

So now comes the decision on his future with the franchise. The 49ers have a club option on each of the remaining three years on his deal, meaning they could simply opt out this offseason and rid themselves of the mistake. The move will create $7.2 million in dead money, but it’s a small price to pay for San Francisco to rid themselves of the remaining $32.5 million on his deal.

The Garcon signing seemed like a solid one at the time. Since then, it’s turned into an awful investment that has failed to pay dividends. It’s time for the 49ers to cut the veteran receiver loose and find better ways to spend the money they’ll recoup.