The 2026 Free Agency Thread

[RedWolf]

We are long in the tooth and are obviously lacking in talent in some positions. Injuries have not helped either. Who might be available to fill some of our holes? What I see where we need help is at (no specific order):

- Receiving
- DE
- LB
- Secondary

Thoughts? We have some really savvy people here that know much more than I do.

 

[Ghost of Sarge]

I was not impressed with signings this off season, and it's the reason I said back in the summer that it was going to be a long season. We signed players like someone believed we were legitimately on the cusp of a Super Bowl, when we got to where we were last year with a whole lot of luck. The signing of Von Miller comes to mind. That's someone you sign when you have no other major holes to fill and you think he might give you that last little boost to make it to the Bowl. We obviously had more than a few signings like that this offseason, and they're not working out.

 

[method man]

I was joking with a friend that Peters had himself a Mike Elias type offseason

 

[method man]

When do we try to extend Chris Paul? The guy has easily been MIP.

 

[SkinsFTW]

I don't know who is going to be a available from other teams but they are going to have to resign Deebo and Armstrong is going to be in his last year and seems to be our best pass rusher so far this season. He has 5 sacks in 5 games.

They probably should be looking for a Wagner and Lattimore replacement next year. Sinnott doesn't seem to be doing anything so Ertz being upgraded will probably be on the list as well.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

It’s really too early for this, but I think the glaring need is going to be DB again. Lattimore is probably not coming back.

I agree about Wagner and Ertz. Wagner would be great to have around but in less of a starter role and have somebody a little younger in the middle. But that’s hard to find.

 

[method man]

I think we focus on our own extensions first- Tunsil, Armstrong, Luvu (?), Deebo (?), Paul. Probably not a lot left after. The biggest name we could pursue is probably going to be Hendrickson. That would be a hell of a get

I think we are looking at spare parts on 1 year deals in most places.

 

[method man]

On the corner front, something to thing about is moving Sainristil outside and signing or drafting a nickel. While he has some deficiencies outside, Sainristil showed he can be a solid player on the outside last year. Signing a proven Roger McCreary will be considerably less expensive than an outside CB peer. We may also be able to find a Day 1 starter at nickel in rd 3 next year

 

[DWinzit]

I was going to post the potential FA list but at this point, it's way too early for it to be reliable.

Offense - must resign Tunsil and hope to keep Mariota.
They need to make a decision on Deebo and will need another deep threat (draft?)
The offense needs a solid all around TE, good weapon and blocker.
Must add another RB to go with Bill

Defense needs more addressing than in the past across the board with emphasis on getting to the QB and coverage

 

[Commander Wraith]

I think we focus on our own extensions first- Tunsil, Armstrong, Luvu (?), Deebo (?), Paul. Probably not a lot left after. The biggest name we could pursue is probably going to be Hendrickson. That would be a hell of a get

I think we are looking at spare parts on 1 year deals in most places.

Yeah, I’m with you on putting question marks on Luvu and Deebo. Leaning toward letting both walk, perhaps a bit surprising considering Luvu’s play last year and how well Deebo’s playing this year. I could see Payne getting traded as well, though then we’d need to replace him.

A replacement for Ertz is going to be difficult, and even with McGee stepping in, considering his injury issues to date, we’d need at least one starting LB (if Wagner and Luvu are both gone). We have the young guys, but hard to pencil them in as starters.

Have to think Igbinoghene walks seeing as how we looked at trading him.

DE, WR, corner, maybe LB and DT and maybe/probably someone to take over from Harris. I’d guess most of those are probably the same type of cheaper, 1 year deals we’ve handed out.

 

[burgold]

Yeah, with how much we've been leaning on one-year deals this is always going to be a problem.

I'm mixed on Deebo. The thing he has going for him is his game is more about power and hands than speed so that shouldn't necessarily be hit by age as much. OTOH, do we really want two high cap 30+ year old wide receivers?

I think Luvu you keep because he's a good a player and he also seems to be one of the leaders. Last year especially players rallied around him. It really looks like the light won't go on for Sinnott. We all hoped he would be the natural replacement for Ertz.

 

[Commander Wraith]

Yeah, with how much we've been leaning on one-year deals this is always going to be a problem.

I’m not sure I view it as a problem, mainly because these types are fairly cheap, pros, and give you a baseline of quality for young guys to have to surpass. Obviously the goal is to have a team filled mostly with cheap, younger guys on long term deals though.

I'm mixed on Deebo. The thing he has going for him is his game is more about power and hands than speed so that shouldn't necessarily be hit by age as much. OTOH, do we really want two high cap 30+ year old wide receivers?

I think Luvu you keep because he's a good a player and he also seems to be one of the leaders. Last year especially players rallied around him. It really looks like the light won't go on for Sinnott. We all hoped he would be the natural replacement for Ertz.

Yeah, not looking great for Sinnot. Still have a lot of games left though, so maybe he surprises. Long shot that he (and/or Yankoff) gets to a point that we feel ok both moving on from Ertz and not replacing him with a vet or early pick.

 

[method man]

There will be good options at TE in the offseason. Per Spotrac, free agent TEs include all three Ravens TEs + Njoku + Goedert + Pitts + Otton.

Most of these guys will resign but I expect a couple options to come free. I would take who the Ravens don’t bring back between Andrews and Likely

 

[Primus Porcus]

There will be good options at TE in the offseason. Per Spotrac, free agent TEs include all three Ravens TEs + Njoku + Goedert + Pitts + Otton.

Most of these guys will resign but I expect a couple options to come free. I would take who the Ravens don’t bring back between Andrews and Likely

Pitts seems like just the kind of guy this FO would look at and believe they could get the most out of.

 

[Chris 44]

Im wondering to just how much of Sinnot not being utilized more is because we have Ertz firmly ahead of him and Bates in a blocking class of his own. McCathry and Lane didnt step out of their shells till they got the opportunities due to TM and Noah being out. I may be wrong here but perhaps he is not getting the reps to become familiar with the QBs and isnt able to show what he can do? A big part may also be coaching trust and only so many balls to go around. Just a thought.

 

[Anselmheifer]

I was going to post the potential FA list but at this point, it's way too early for it to be reliable.

Offense - must resign Tunsil and hope to keep Mariota.
They need to make a decision on Deebo and will need another deep threat (draft?)
The offense needs a solid all around TE, good weapon and blocker.
Must add another RB to go with Bill

Defense needs more addressing than in the past across the board with emphasis on getting to the QB and coverage

Yes to all of this. On offense, we absolutely would get killer miles off of a young, dynamic, receiving TE. I’d add that in addition to deep threats, we have just as much need for twitchy, route running technicians, that can reliably beat man coverage.

I think Deebo gets extended. I’m not convinced that at the end of the season, fans wouldn’t prefer keeping Deebo to Terry. Deebo is on pace for 1000 yards and is just obviously such a perfect match for this offense.

Also, for people questioning last year’s FA class, it looks good to me? Everybody seems to be performing well. Tunsil and Deebo were trades, but were also huge swings and both look to be great decisions. Our run defense looks very much improved. And we just look bigger and more athletic across the d line.

I understand that people think we weren’t active enough, but we spent a lot of money and needed to fill a bunch of roster spots. We don’t have enough draft class youth yet, and are still relying on these 1 year deals to fill out the roster.

 

[DWinzit]

Yes to all of this. On offense, we absolutely would get killer miles off of a young, dynamic, receiving TE. I’d add that in addition to deep threats, we have just as much need for twitchy, route running technicians, that can reliably beat man coverage.

I think Deebo gets extended. I’m not convinced that at the end of the season, fans wouldn’t prefer keeping Deebo to Terry. Deebo is on pace for 1000 yards and is just obviously such a perfect match for this offense.

Also, for people questioning last year’s FA class, it looks good to me? Everybody seems to be performing well. Tunsil and Deebo were trades, but were also huge swings and both look to be great decisions. Our run defense looks very much improved. And we just look bigger and more athletic across the d line.

I understand that people think we weren’t active enough, but we spent a lot of money and needed to fill a bunch of roster spots. We don’t have enough draft class youth yet, and are still relying on these 1 year deals to fill out the roster.

Yeah they did bring in a lot of talent that has worked out thus far. I do think the injuries to Jones, Wise and Harris are being glossed over. Their absence is absolutely being felt and were all pieces to the AP planned puzzle.

Solid point on fans wanting Deebo over Terry, which is sad but WTF, it's on Terry. I am hoping he can redeem himself by being back to form and kicking butt long into the post season. A good technical WR with the ability to separate quickly from a defender would be a great addition, even better if they could also spread the field going deep. I am hopeful Lane can move at least one into that lane as the year progresses as well.

The main things we need are players that can create pressure and/or cover (including LBs of course which maybe we already have ) and more weapons that will pressure DC's.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

On the corner front, something to thing about is moving Sainristil outside and signing or drafting a nickel. While he has some deficiencies outside, Sainristil showed he can be a solid player on the outside last year. Signing a proven Roger McCreary will be considerably less expensive than an outside CB peer. We may also be able to find a Day 1 starter at nickel in rd 3 next year

Quinn has said openly they like Sainristil inside, and both Bram and Keim have essentially dismissed him moving outside, either this year or in the future.

They drafted him and evaluated him on the inside, and that's where they really want him to play.

 

[Primus Porcus]

Im wondering to just how much of Sinnot not being utilized more is because we have Ertz firmly ahead of him and Bates in a blocking class of his own. McCathry and Lane didnt step out of their shells till they got the opportunities due to TM and Noah being out. I may be wrong here but perhaps he is not getting the reps to become familiar with the QBs and isnt able to show what he can do? A big part may also be coaching trust and only so many balls to go around. Just a thought.

I think that's got a lot to do with it, and there are multiple dimensions if we really peel back the onion.

We're talking about a different level of QB play. One we haven't seen here a lot. Jayden is able to do multiple things that create more chances without having to get as far down the list of reads. He rarely even needs to get to his 3rd or 4th read. When you've got a QB like Jayden, he can make throws to a 'covered' 2nd read that other guys cant. He's also very good at controlling his decision making, and he's very confident in his legs to create, so its not often he's going to get down to a 5th option on a given play. Add to all of that, that the offense Kingsbury is running is clearly predicated on the run. That's why we see additional lineman coming in on plays that other teams may look toward a 3rd TE being on the field. The threat to throw is unnecessary there because the benefit of having a 300lb tackle in front of your RB is more valuable than a TE.

Ultimately I don't think they look at TE like it's a weakness. Clearly we haven't been at practice, or in the meeting rooms, so we don't know the depth of what they truly feel about Sinnot. We heard positives about McCaffrey were left completely clueless as to why he's been seemingly left behind. Well the last 3 games have looked a bit different. I am with you in the curiosity that Sinnot's ability just hasn't been made public yet.

 

[Chris 44]

I think that's got a lot to do with it, and there are multiple dimensions if we really peel back the onion.

We're talking about a different level of QB play. One we haven't seen here a lot. Jayden is able to do multiple things that create more chances without having to get as far down the list of reads. He rarely even needs to get to his 3rd or 4th read. When you've got a QB like Jayden, he can make throws to a 'covered' 2nd read that other guys cant. He's also very good at controlling his decision making, and he's very confident in his legs to create, so its not often he's going to get down to a 5th option on a given play. Add to all of that, that the offense Kingsbury is running is clearly predicated on the run. That's why we see additional lineman coming in on plays that other teams may look toward a 3rd TE being on the field. The threat to throw is unnecessary there because the benefit of having a 300lb tackle in front of your RB is more valuable than a TE.

Ultimately I don't think they look at TE like it's a weakness. Clearly we haven't been at practice, or in the meeting rooms, so we don't know the depth of what they truly feel about Sinnot. We heard positives about McCaffrey were left completely clueless as to why he's been seemingly left behind. Well the last 3 games have looked a bit different. I am with you in the curiosity that Sinnot's ability just hasn't been made public yet.

You said that far more eloquently than I could.