The 2025 Free Agency Thread

[SkinsNumberOne]

You tell no lies.

I knew in my gut the moment he said Trent Williams needed to prove himself that we were up poop creek without a paddle.

It’s almost unbelievable just how bad he was all-around.

Just when I focused on his drafting, it made me forget about splashes like William Jackson III and Carson Wentz.

God bless AP, you have your work cut out for you, sir.

Wow, I sometimes forget how badly TW was handled. I actually think Bruce probably poisoned Ron, and Ron was too daft and weak to figure it out.

I still give Ron some blame. I think it was pretty obvious what situation we had, even if you were only superficially looking, or even held a recent/brief interest. This team was ANCHORED by TW. He knew it. Anyone with football IQ knew it. Bruce was in a childish war. I actually think there was an avenue where Ron backs up TW and fixes that situation. Ron was going to be Ron though -he towed the company line in his respectable, affable manner - in that "treat them like men" manner, he made yet another monumental screw-up. You're right, that was probably the first major sign.

The main thing AP did in year-1 was exactly what he needed to do. He shored up the scouting and set up process there. That is no small feat considering what RR had done. So, I actually think the scouting is largely fixed in the most important ways (there were a lot of reports about AP shoring up that department early in his tenure; pretty awesome when you think back and consider what happened later!). I also think they have an idea of how they want to move forward which is also great.

I think the fans on this board for the most part know, year-1 success may not carry over. That's key to not getting too disappointed next year; the good news is, the scouting really appears to be fixed up in terms of process and personnel. So, the vector should be very good. The best teams KNOW that defenses adapt, so hopefully we will be ready with some new wrinkles.

 

[TakeCommandRollTide]

Last night just confirmed my feelings on this offseason. Build the trenches. HAVE to improve our OL and DL as much as possible this offseason. While having a Tee Higgins would be nice I don't think he'll be worth how much he's going to be paid.

 

[Anselmheifer]

Last night just confirmed my feelings on this offseason. Build the trenches. HAVE to improve our OL and DL as much as possible this offseason. While having a Tee Higgins would be nice I don't think he'll be worth how much he's going to be paid.

I mean, I understand the premise. The problem is that this FA period has impact players at WR and in the secondary and not so much on OL and DL.

I’d be fine if we signed Khalil Mack, Ronnie Stanley and Trey Smith, but I think Mack may be the only one that changes teams and then we are left holding a bag of money and still don’t have a dynamic WR2.

I’m just taking a wait and see approach. It feels like we have enough money for Stanley, Khalil Mack and Higgins. Draft BPA. Trade for Myles Garrett after the draft. Our Fl would look crazy with Myles Garrett on one side and Khalil Mack on the other side.

 

[Chris 44]

Last night just confirmed my feelings on this offseason. Build the trenches. HAVE to improve our OL and DL as much as possible this offseason. While having a Tee Higgins would be nice I don't think he'll be worth how much he's going to be paid.

I agree, but damn, having an AJ Brown on your team who catches everything thrown near him is huge!

 

[heisenberg]

Sobering thoughts following the worst Super Bowl I’ve ever watched.

The non-existent difference makers from the top of the last several Ron drafts has created a daunting task for Peters.

The Eagles roster damn near looks illegal with the cap magic alone. But what they do have are several key contributors on cheap contracts because they drafted so well.

We have some money in FA, but I’m not sure how you make up for the lack of production from prior drafts.

Ron’s ineptitude helped us net Jayden, but his criminal drafting also really kills our ability to stack the roster on Jayden’s rookie deal.

I guess there really is no cure.
😅

 

[heisenberg]

Yeah the eagles are more talented but we just had our best season in over 30 years, are returning almost the entire coaching staff, have top 3 cap space in the league and most importantly by far, have our franchise quarterback who is now the envy of three quarters of the league.

Sure the eagles are gonna be a massive impediment for years to come but so were the giants in the 80's and that made our victories that much sweeter.

Peters and company are just gonna have to work that much harder and they know it and that need to be competitive with the eagles will make us that much better against everybody else.

Good times are coming and the fact that we may have to be david versus Goliath for a couple years is OK, jayden is pretty damn good with a sling.

 

[Utah]

Interesting little tidbit from our conference game. Did anyone happen to watch Chris Paul vs Jalen Carter? That film could play a bit into our decision making. Yes, he has been raw but maybe he took the next step. I'll tell you this, Carter doesn't like facing him. You can see that when he starts jawing at him.....4 yds down field. Something to watch because we need a bruiser who can maul and he might make himself a factor. Never know.

I was watching Smith last night vs him and unfortunately he did not produce well in this game. But then again, who did for the Chiefs.

 

[TakeCommandRollTide]

I agree, but damn, having an AJ Brown on your team who catches everything thrown near him is huge!

For sure. But I don't think Tee is AJ Brown

 

[TakeCommandRollTide]

I mean, I understand the premise. The problem is that this FA period has impact players at WR and in the secondary and not so much on OL and DL.

I’d be fine if we signed Khalil Mack, Ronnie Stanley and Trey Smith, but I think Mack may be the only one that changes teams and then we are left holding a bag of money and still don’t have a dynamic WR2.

I’m just taking a wait and see approach. It feels like we have enough money for Stanley, Khalil Mack and Higgins. Draft BPA. Trade for Myles Garrett after the draft. Our Fl would look crazy with Myles Garrett on one side and Khalil Mack on the other side.

There are a number of DL and OL guys worth looking at even if there isn't anyone who is going to break the bank. I don't think we are even really in the place to break the bank for a single player unless its a Myles Garrett. I think overspending for a guy like Tee would be a mistake. Idk we'll see.

 

[CommDownMan]

Current Cap 78
Just a spit balling exercise, I generally like to make up an example of how much we could do in an offseason. I generally hate to use up all the cap space, but with Daniels rookie contract, I went a bit extra this year.
https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-2025-nfl-free-agent-rankings (I used this for contract guesses), along with some Sportrac (like a 2mil/yr bump from Bosa to do the Garrett projection).

This exercise left me with 8.5 mill in cap space for 2025 season with about 53.4 for the 2026 season. The draft picks wouldn't impact cap basically at all with the 2025 and 2026 first rounders going to Cleveland. Trading picks isn't high on my list generally, but it wasn't as hard with a later pick.

Myles Garrett (2 firsts – 5 / 185, 37 mill cap), so here to make the cap work I'm trading Jon Allen cap 22.5mill (16.5 savings) for a 2025 and 2026 4th rounder – assuming Garrett gets 2 voids, I'm calling year 1 difference 2.5mill cap (hits of 19, 24, 33, 37, 37 and 2 voids 15, 15)
Patrick Mekari (3/23), minus Andrew Wylie 10.4 (7.75 savings) - Mekari has experience all over the line, so he and Coleman can work out RG/RT. Cosmi return in 2026 moves one to LG most likely.
Ronnie Stanley (3/54) - year 1 cap hit 13.5 (single void year, 13.5, 15.5, 18.5, 6.5)
DeAndre Hopkins (2/28) - year 1-12 mil, I think Tee Higgins is too much with the above signings. So for me a short deal with an older guy makes sense.
Dre Greenlaw (2/16) / Baun (3/24), Wagner (1/7) - Saying 1 here, no order, but price ~7-8mill. If we could get Garett, I feel like he can cover some of the leadership intangibles while we get younger with Greenlaw/Baum. I'm not sure the fit with Baum, but the added bonus of taking from the Eagles makes me consider.
Charvarius Ward (1/8) - with play this year, I'm assuming he'll want a bounce back / prove it deal. Not really sure how to gauge the contract here.
Terry Marshall Jr. - minimum (no cap change for rule of 51). Really this is just to keep my dueling Scary Terry dream alive.

Re-signs
Jeremy Chinn (2/10)
Fowler (2/12) Clein Ferrell (1/5), would like to keep 1, Fowler preferred. Calling cap hit 6mill
Tress Way (1/3.5)
Ertz (1/5 again but 4 guaranteed?)
Lucas (2/7)
Zaccheaus (2/5), Crowder (2/3), Dyami Brown (2/8), Noah Brown (2/8) (no order of preference, but think we should keep at least 1) - calling it 4 mil
Kicker IDK get a good one (1.2 mill)
Bates (2/3)

This would leave 8.5 mill in cap space for 2025 season with about 53.4 for the 2026 season. The draft picks wouldn't impact cap with the first rounder going to Cleveland.

Draft Picks:
#61, #79, #148, #207, #238, #250 and ~#120 for Allen (not saying the Bucs just in that range).

QB (2): Daniels and ??? IDK and that's a problem! ok, I need to work on this a bit more....
RB (3): BRob, Ekeler and 2nd/3rd round pick.
WR (6): TMac, Hopkins, Zaccheus, McCaffrey, draft pick (probably need at least 1 more Terrence Marshall....??)
TE (4): Ertz, Bates, Sinnott, Yankoff
OL (9): Stanley, Allegretti, Biadasz, Coleman, Mekari, Lucas, Paul, at least 1 draft pick and another guy that fits in the Scott/Deiter range.

DE (5): Garett, Fowler, Armstrong, Jean-Baptiste, Jones Jr.
DT (5): Payne, Newton, Day, assuming a pick here and another street body
LB (6): Greenlaw, Luvu, Magee, Walker, Bellore, another pick here.
CB (5): Lattimore, Sainristil, Ward, Igbinoghene, final 2 picks here- as the future weakness of this group looks likely.
S (5): Chinn, Martin, Butler, Reaves, Owens

K (1): Hopefully someone good
P (1): Way
LS (1): Ott (I didn't know his name, which means I'm good with him returning).

 

[Anselmheifer]

I don't understand why people here are in favor of DeAndre Hopkins. He doesn't have it anymore. He's cooked. Wasn't great during the regular season. Had that huge drop last night.

I'd rather have almost anybody at WR. If we sign an old guy, I'd rather it's Davante Adams, if he is cut. But, I'd rather sign or draft someone with a little more tread on the tires.

Anyone watching that game would understand that the Eagles are awesome in the trenches. If you look at the NFC, the two best teams have a load of guys that are just physical mismatches for the rest of the league. Jalen Carter. AJ Brown. The Eagle's OL. Saquon Barkley. Penei Sewell. Jameson Williams. Jahmyr Gibbs. We have Jayden and...? We need to find some blue chip players with elite physical traits, anywhere on the field.

 

[Riggo44]

We need to find some blue chip players with elite physical traits, anywhere on the field.

I said the same thing watching the talent gap between us and the Eagles. I love Frankie Luvu, but he's not a game wrecker. He's a very good player, but he isn't going to win DPOY like Jalen Carter can. Like Myles Garret. We need that athletic freak on both sides of the ball that causes opposing coordinators to shit their pants (aside from Jayden)

 

[Anselmheifer]

I said the same thing watching the talent gap between us and the Eagles. I love Frankie Luvu, but he's not a game wrecker. He's a very good player, but he isn't going to win DPOY like Jalen Carter can. Like Myles Garret. We need that athletic freak on both sides of the ball that causes opposing coordinators to shit their pants (aside from Jayden)

Myles Garret would be a huge add. We also don't have that guy on offense, outside of Jayden. Terry is great at what Terry does, but he can be taken out of the game by an elite CB. He's not a Ja'Marr Chase, Tyreek Hill, etc. Honestly, if its the easiest add, I could see a trade up for Jeanty. We need some dynamic weapons on both sides of the ball. Adding good players is a hell of a lot easier than finding those super blue chip guys. Anywhere we have an opportunity at one, I would take that shot.

 

[Utah]

My first focus is the Dline. I go after Garrett. No-Brainer. IF he doesn't happen, then we have options through draft but the impact is likely very low.

My next look, is at the teams who are in a bit of cap hell. To me, kinda standing out, is Seattle. I would look at DK Metcalf. Talk about having all the physical traits for our '#2' to have the ability to take over a game. Now, is he a Commander? Thats for AP to decide. I think we need impact at both WR for next year while we grow some talent to add. Terry and DK would garner some sleepless nights for sure.

I should point out that Offensive Line is my main focus, but there just isn't anyone who forces a big move to get that is out there. Like I said in another thread, watch Chris Paul vs Carter during our Championship game. Lots of factors play into getting the right guy, but we need a mauler for our run game. Not saying he is the answer, but there are alot of linemen out there who are going to fall out of favor and they could check the boxes for us. Key part of the whole off season to me.

I do look at the Browns and their Corners or maybe even DJ Reed but those guys have to pass the Commander test, as does every one of these guys.

Otherwise, we have film on everyone and we pick and choose who can come in and compete and improve us. We'll make some big changes, but we don't necessarily have to dump guys and hope the new ones add to the team and make us better. We have options.

 

[NoCalSkins]

There are enough needs on this team that this upcoming offseason still isn't going to make this roster as talent-rich as Philly, however, what we have that they don't is a force multiplier under center, so the talent level on the roster (or to be safe, the offense) will never have to be as stacked as a team like Philly to compete with them. That isn't to say I don't want to get there in another couple of seasons, but Jayden Daniels as a rookie already looked better against that defense than Mahommes did. It's also why I don't think AP is breaking the bank to bring in Free Agents right now. Phone calls will be made, inquiries will take place, but I don't see our front office going the route of putting all the eggs into a couple baskets at the expense of addressing the needs of a roster still being overhauled.

Something I have noticed a lot with Hurts is that he rarely takes off running because he is under duress. Quite the opposite, he drops back, sits in the pocket, and if no one is open, the field in front of him is usually wide open so he just takes it because it is there. I swear last night in the superbowl there was one time he took off up the middle where not only was the field wide open but there was an O-lineman just chilling next to him with no one to block....


(Unrelated) Also, I am wondering if the Rams have a chance to be an under the radar contender next season. Some folks are expecting the 49ers to bounce back, but I really think the Rams win that divisional round game if the weather hadn't been such a factor in effecting their passing offense.

 

[CommDownMan]

I don't understand why people here are in favor of DeAndre Hopkins. He doesn't have it anymore. He's cooked. Wasn't great during the regular season. Had that huge drop last night.

I'd rather have almost anybody at WR. If we sign an old guy, I'd rather it's Davante Adams, if he is cut. But, I'd rather sign or draft someone with a little more tread on the tires.

Haha, noted.

 

[method man]

I don't understand why people here are in favor of DeAndre Hopkins. He doesn't have it anymore. He's cooked. Wasn't great during the regular season. Had that huge drop last night.

I'd rather have almost anybody at WR. If we sign an old guy, I'd rather it's Davante Adams, if he is cut. But, I'd rather sign or draft someone with a little more tread on the tires.

Anyone watching that game would understand that the Eagles are awesome in the trenches. If you look at the NFC, the two best teams have a load of guys that are just physical mismatches for the rest of the league. Jalen Carter. AJ Brown. The Eagle's OL. Saquon Barkley. Penei Sewell. Jameson Williams. Jahmyr Gibbs. We have Jayden and...? We need to find some blue chip players with elite physical traits, anywhere on the field.

The dude did finish with a top 25 PFF grade for receivers this season. That being said, his raw numbers weren't particularly impressive this season.

On Adams, we do have a connection on the coaching staff to him. David Raih was his position coach in Green Bay in the first year Adams had a 1K season. Not a guy we will have to trade for as teams know he has the Jets by the balls with the massive cap number

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

Wow, I sometimes forget how badly TW was handled. I actually think Bruce probably poisoned Ron, and Ron was too daft and weak to figure it out.

I still give Ron some blame. I think it was pretty obvious what situation we had, even if you were only superficially looking, or even held a recent/brief interest. This team was ANCHORED by TW. He knew it. Anyone with football IQ knew it. Bruce was in a childish war. I actually think there was an avenue where Ron backs up TW and fixes that situation. Ron was going to be Ron though -he towed the company line in his respectable, affable manner - in that "treat them like men" manner, he made yet another monumental screw-up. You're right, that was probably the first major sign.

The main thing AP did in year-1 was exactly what he needed to do. He shored up the scouting and set up process there. That is no small feat considering what RR had done. So, I actually think the scouting is largely fixed in the most important ways (there were a lot of reports about AP shoring up that department early in his tenure; pretty awesome when you think back and consider what happened later!). I also think they have an idea of how they want to move forward which is also great.

I think the fans on this board for the most part know, year-1 success may not carry over. That's key to not getting too disappointed next year; the good news is, the scouting really appears to be fixed up in terms of process and personnel. So, the vector should be very good. The best teams KNOW that defenses adapt, so hopefully we will be ready with some new wrinkles.

I have a different take on the Trent Williams situation. He claimed it was medical malpractice, claimed nobody visited him after his cancer was removed and then did not want the NFLPA to follow up. Because he was lying and I lost all respect for him. When he signed his deal it was front loaded, per his request. When he got to the back end of the deal which now made him underpaid, his reaction to being paid up front was "that was in the past". Again I lost more respect for Trent Williams.

 

[CuredFromBatteredFanSyndrome]

I have a different take on the Trent Williams situation. He claimed it was medical malpractice, claimed nobody visited him after his cancer was removed and then did not want the NFLPA to follow up. Because he was lying and I lost all respect for him. When he signed his deal it was front loaded, per his request. When he got to the back end of the deal which now made him underpaid, his reaction to being paid up front was "that was in the past". Again I lost more respect for Trent Williams.

There’s a few different versions of this story out there. The one you cite here to me is the least believable. This situation took place during the culture is damn good era. Really hard for me to believe that the org had no wrong doing in the situation.

As for the contract piece, it’s a common practice in the NFL to rework deals when the guaranteed money is gone. Particularly for blue chip studs like Trent Williams.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

There’s a few different versions of this story out there. The one you cite here to me is the least believable. This situation took place during the culture is damn good era. Really hard for me to believe that the org had no wrong doing in the situation.

As for the contract piece, it’s a common practice in the NFL to rework deals when the guaranteed money is gone. Particularly for blue chip studs like Trent Williams.

Originally when I was following the story I took your approach. I was not about to side with Allen and Snyder. But as I learned more it became clear. He was obviously lying about the medical claims, that's kind of obvious now. His claim that nobody visited him was simply not true, why on Earth would he not want the NFLPA to investigate if they really did as he claimed?

It was always about the contract, a contract he was paid mostly up front per his request.