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Redskins free agent-to-be hints he could be open to playing elsewhere next season

We try not to read into nebulous social media posts too much this time of year because, well, they can be a little misleading. But it’s hard not to read what Washington Redskins wide receiver Pierre Garcon wrote on Instagram and wonder what he meant.

#YallHiring?

A post shared by Pierre Garcon (@pierregarcon) on Feb 20, 2017 at 5:29am PST

Garcon, coming off a big season, is set to hit free agency in a few weeks. The Redskins have a lot of pending free agents and likely can’t or won’t keep them all. He might be turning 31 during training camp, but Garcon caught 79 passes for 1,041 yards last season and surely still has some very good value to some team out there.

The Redskins’ most important free-agent decision is what to do with quarterback Kirk Cousins. He was franchised last season and would be due more than $24 million this season if he’s tagged again. After that, wide recevier DeSean Jackson also is sure to command a lot of attention and is expected to test the market. Could the Redskins allow both Jackson and Garcon walk? That would feel like a large risk to take with so few reliable option after them.

Washington Redskins receiver Pierre Garcon, left, issued a vague Instagram post about his future. (AP)
Washington Redskins receiver Pierre Garcon, left, issued a vague Instagram post about his future. (AP)

Garcon quietly has been a huge piece of the offensive puzzle the past few seasons and hasn’t missed a game the past four seasons. He’s tough, productive and pretty sure-handed. Garcon also made $8 million last season and could seek a raise. Would the Redskins be willing to give it to him?

There could be plenty of teams vying for his services. The Los Angeles Rams might be one, with receiver looming as a large need and new head coach Sean McVay, who spent the past few seasons with the Redskins, quite familiar with Garcon’s ability. Another could be the San Francisco 49ers, whose own new head coach, Kyle Shanahan, coached Garcon with the Redskins in 2012 and 2013.

Garcon’s latest dispatch suggests there’s uncertainty, or at the very least a willingness for him to explore the market to see what his value might be. The Redskins have a lot going on right now as free agency looms, and there are few clear answers.

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Eric Edholm is a writer for Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at edholm@yahoo-inc.com or follow him on Twitter!