The Washington Post recently indicated a name out there that the Bears could have on their radar. Somebody who always seems to delight in proving doubters wrong.
“It doesn’t sound as if the Redskins plan to re-sign DeSean Jackson, who is extremely talented, but too inconsistent for management’s taste. The team likes Pierre Garcon, and Garcon says he wants to be here. But as many as five other teams (Rams, Eagles, Bears, Cowboys, 49ers) are expected to want this reliable veteran to serve as a security blanket for their young quarterbacks.”
Pierre Garcon turns 31-years old this coming August. He doesn’t strike as a long-term option a team can build around but he does qualify as an instant plug for a roster hole. He’s also no stranger to leaving a situation he likes in order to do what’s best for him and his family from a business sense. He left Indianapolis after a great run to join the Redskins. Now after another great run it’s not wise to best against him doing so again.
UNDERRATED EXCELLENCE
Washington has delivered one of the better passing attacks in the NFL the past two seasons with Kirk Cousins at the helm. He just finished with over 4,900 yards passing and reached his first Pro Bowl. A big reason for that has been the play of his weapons, most notably Garcon. Always a man who seems to get lost in the shuffle. He had 1,346 in 2013 before posting just over 700 in both 2014 and 2015. Most thought he’d peaked going into last season.
Then he posted 1,041 yards on just 79 catches.
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It was also the fourth-straight year in which Garcon has not missed a single game. If there is anything the Bears have come to appreciate about players in the past two seasons, it’s reliability. Jeffery missed a combined 11 games between 2015 and 2016. Their prized former first round pick Kevin White missed almost two entire seasons. Veteran Eddie Royal failed to appear in double digit games as well. It was an ugly situation that really set back their offense.
Now faced with the prospect of going into 2017 with White and former undrafted free agent Cameron Meredith as their top two options, Chicago knows a counter move to a Jeffery exit is critical. Garcon may not feel like a sexy choice. Sort of like substituting a dirt bike in for a Harley. Losing a younger, more gifted target and getting an older, less gifted one in return.
This is how the NFL works though. Sometimes teams are going to lose really good players for any number of reasons. Often it’s money or the player and team just not seeing eye to eye. Then again it’s not like losing great wide receivers has been a death sentence in the past.
