As good as Wagner still is (and he's still pretty good) I'd much rather sign him as an assistant linebackers coach or as a linebackers coach than as a player. Not sure if he has any interest in that, but I think to move forward we have to take a risk of going backwards.
There are several other players who don't deserve not to be brought back that I would let test the waters. Jeremy McNichols has done everything we asked of him and been so much better than he should be. I don't know that I bring him back. Noah I, Jonathan Jones are both competent, but not better than depth. I want depth that can push to start. Deebo is a tough, tough call. I think they will want to bring him back because it's tough to trade away a draft pick and let the guy go a year later, but at this point, I think he's fine and I don't see greatness in him. Wylie is another I'd let walk. He's fine as a depth piece and I think we can trust him as a spot starter, but that's his ceiling at this point. The team really seems to like Trent Scott. He caught Daniels first TD pass. Probably not, but maybe.
I think I would bring back CRod if he'll take the above contract offer. I think he's been undervalued and that his toughness is useful. I think I'd give Chris Paul another go. Mariota is a good backup/low end starter. I'm curious about Jacob Martin. I like his hustle.
Yikes, I don't agree with a lot of this, or at least it doesn't seem realistic/feasible.
First, I suspect Bobby will choose to retire and take the decision out of the team's hands. If he doesn't, he has already suggested he does not want to coach. I'm for brining him back if he still wants to play.
Second, I don't know how you get better depth than J. Jones and Iggy on any sort of budget. Those guys, if resigned, would be backups and you need competency there. Our problem this year was some combo of talent and scheme/coaching. You have to think better coaching improves the situation to some degree.....at least to a competency level. Either way, we need to bring in another starter via FA (IMO) and we can't be breaking the bank on the backups. Jones/Iggy should fit that need.
Third, I don't understand signing Deebo for the $$ he will want. Don't know if he will get it on the open market, but he is a weapon rather than a staple. We need a staple to take care of Jayden. I'm all for drafting a WR with our #1 pick, need to protect the most important asset on the team.
Fourth, I wouldn't let Wylie walk. He s/b cheep to retain and he is good depth at 2 positions. IMO, we did a good job securing the o-line last offseason which (again) is integral to protecting our most important asset. Why put yourself in the position we were in during Ron's reign of terror? Seems like an easy decision to make that shouldn't cost much.
Folks are going to lose their minds about roster age, but I still don't know how we cure the pass rush issues on defense w/out signing some older guys. We could use our #1 pick on one, but that feels like something we shouldn't want to have forced. The team should bring in viable options in FA. The other option is to just acknowledge we can't fix it all at once and go into next year w/a wanting DE group. It might actually be the right call, play the long game.
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