When asked to comment on Pierre Garcon's rejection of the Colts' five-year contract offer, beat writer Mike Chappell had this to say:
"Unless it was a take-it-or-leave-it offer from the Colts, and I seriously doubt that was the case, it was just the first overture from the team. Generally, there is back and forth in negotiations. Clearly, Garcon and his agent want more than the Colts offered, whatever that was. I would expect further discussions and I’ll be surprised if the Colts and Garcon don’t find common ground. Of course, that depends on the Colts offering reasonable money and Garcon being reasonable. And everyone’s definition of “reasonable’’ in contract talks is relative. What I’ve expected all along is for the Colts to sign Garcon to a long-term deal, try and fail to get a long-term deal with Robert Mathis and use the one-year franchise tag on Mathis. I’m pretty sure Mathis would get a hefty offer from another team if hits the open market. The guy’s a beast. If neither Garcon nor Mathis agree to long-term deals, the Colts will have to decide which to tag. The franchise tag for Mathis is $10.6 million. It’s $9.4 million for Garcon."
Whether Peyton Manning or Andrew Luck is under center to start the 2012 season, the Colts would be wise to lock up Garcon to a long-term deal. Reggie Wayne is on the decline and Austin Collie's durability will always be in question.
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