The 2026 Free Agency Thread

[heisenberg]

Their talent wasn't bad. They've at a minimum had star power going back to Beckham, Barkley that this team hasn't shared. Even today, taking Jayden out of the equation, do we have a receiver as good as Nabers when healthy? We can tout all day long Payne or even Allen back in the day but they are a joke compared to Dexter Lawrence. Brian Burns >> M. Sweat.

You're preaching to the choir on this one, I've been railing on for years about our lack of star power and how we need to do something about it at any cost.
I wanted barkley in free agency but was told our roster wasn't ready for a guy like him because we weren't one player away.
I desperately wanted bijan robinson in the draft and was consistently told he would be a luxury pick and we had bigger needs.

And this year I want love if he's the only star power type player left.

We need to start somewhere and I honestly dont care at all what position the star plays as long as hes a star and running back seems to be one of the easier positions to assure star power because it has become so overlooked in the nfl.

 

[HTTR]

You're preaching to the choir on this one, I've been railing on for years about our lack of star power and how we need to do something about it at any cost.
I wanted barkley in free agency but was told our roster wasn't ready for a guy like him because we weren't one player away.
I desperately wanted bijan robinson in the draft and was consistently told he would be a luxury pick and we had bigger needs.

And this year I want love if he's the only star power type player left.

We need to start somewhere and I honestly dont care at all what position the star plays as long as hes a star and running back seems to be one of the easier positions to assure star power because it has become so overlooked in the nfl.

I’m with you on that. I did some preaching for Barkley as well on ES that year and got a lot of blow back for it. Running backs, even stars like him, were going super cheap at the time. The market screamed that this was an opportunity to get a star player without breaking the bank.

A lot of people criticized the Bijon pick, and Gibbs for the lions. But not a single fan of those teams regrets those picks right now. From everything we are seeing and hearing, this guy Love seems to be that caliber of player. If you believe in taking the best player available, there’s a very good chance it’s going to be him at seven. And if so, we should pull the trigger imo.

 

[DWinzit]

And Crosby is a great player but he’s racked up 10 or fewer sacks a season for most of his career. Again, really great player. Great locker room guy seemingly as well, not that he could do anything to help that Raiders culture. But he’s not worth more than Parsons was, not by a long shot. And yes, almost a whole contract older.

If that’s what it’ll cost then the Raiders aren’t serious and they’ll never move him. Teams are going to be wary after watching both the Packers and Colts both trade multiple 1sts for defensive studs and lose them to serious injury for a majority of the season, not putting them over the top. How many reckless teams are there left? Maybe a true contender that’s drafted well but has a shrinking QB window like the Rams.

Agreed. I am into this team burning so many assets on any one player, we have too many needs...mostly just in adding talent all over.

I do worry just a little when it comes to AP. I hope he doesn't get a little cocky and looks to make a big splash by pulling off a trade for the likes of Maxx or Henderson. There is little question he covets them and what they bring.

 

[RexTomb]

I’m with you on that. I did some preaching for Barkley as well on ES that year and got a lot of blow back for it. Running backs, even stars like him, were going super cheap at the time. The market screamed that this was an opportunity to get a star player without breaking the bank.

A lot of people criticized the Bijon pick, and Gibbs for the lions. But not a single fan of those teams regrets those picks right now. From everything we are seeing and hearing, this guy Love seems to be that caliber of player. If you believe in taking the best player available, there’s a very good chance it’s going to be him at seven. And if so, we should pull the trigger imo.

I agree, especially if the pass rushing talent at 7 is pretty lackluster. I could see a scenario where Bain and Bailey are both off the board by 7. A Caleb Downs pick makes sense at that point, but a Love pick would be an instant upgrade, day 1 bonafide starter on offense.

 

[CapsCommies]

Trey Hendrickson likely to leave Cincinnati, would be an older but cheaper alternative to Crosby.

 

[RexTomb]

I’d rather pay the premium for Crosby, who seems to be much more durable and more consistent. It’s not like we’d get Hendrickson for a bag of chips and a ham sandwich. He’s going to want a sizable contract and I’m not sure he’s worth that anymore.

 

[burgold]

I still say we get the Browns' GM drunk and him trade MIles Garrett to us for our 7th rounder.

 

[Conn]

I’d rather pay the premium for Crosby, who seems to be much more durable and more consistent. It’s not like we’d get Hendrickson for a bag of chips and a ham sandwich. He’s going to want a sizable contract and I’m not sure he’s worth that anymore.

You’d rather pay the premium in draft picks in trade, and contract money? Hendrickson at least only costs money in this scenario. If you whiff it doesn’t cripple you, we haven’t been spending that money anyways in two seasons so far under this regime.

 

[RexTomb]

Oh, well, actually, I didn't know Crosby would cost picks. Thought he might be a free agent. Nevermind then.

 

[DWinzit]

Don't forget, Bengals can still tag Hendrickson and force a tag and trade situation.

BTW, same can be said with Dallas and Pickens if they don't resign him and Baltimore is likely to tag Lindenbaum. Actually I am expecting many of the top FA's to resign or be tagged by current teams with that cap jump. We will not be able to count on who might be available come tamper time

 

[KDawg]

Don't forget, Bengals can still tag Hendrickson and force a tag and trade situation.

BTW, same can be said with Dallas and Pickens if they don't resign him and Baltimore is likely to tag Lindenbaum. Actually I am expecting many of the top FA's to resign or be tagged by current teams with that cap jump. We will not be able to count on who might be available come tamper time

Didn't Dallas already say they're tagging Pickens?

 

[HTTR]

Didn't Dallas already say they're tagging Pickens?

Shefter said they are expected to, but they can’t make it official until 2/17.

 

[RexTomb]

Don't forget, Bengals can still tag Hendrickson and force a tag and trade situation.

BTW, same can be said with Dallas and Pickens if they don't resign him and Baltimore is likely to tag Lindenbaum. Actually I am expecting many of the top FA's to resign or be tagged by current teams with that cap jump. We will not be able to count on who might be available come tamper time

Yes, that's why I find it a little silly to look at the FA list right now.

 

[method man]

Don't forget, Bengals can still tag Hendrickson and force a tag and trade situation.

BTW, same can be said with Dallas and Pickens if they don't resign him and Baltimore is likely to tag Lindenbaum. Actually I am expecting many of the top FA's to resign or be tagged by current teams with that cap jump. We will not be able to count on who might be available come tamper time

I don’t think the Ravens would tag Linderbaum based on how centers are classified amongst other linemen. The AAV on a tag would be $25M.

Same reason why the Jags are going to have to let Lloyd hit FA unless they can extend him ahead of fit

 

[DWinzit]

Didn't Dallas already say they're tagging Pickens?

I have read where they have said they will get him a new contact, tag him and keep him, tag and trade him so who knows. It appears similar with a lot of the current FA's, teams playing chess with others hoping for trade offers or getting the players agents attention.

 

[skinsinparadise]

You're preaching to the choir on this one, I've been railing on for years about our lack of star power and how we need to do something about it at any cost.
I wanted barkley in free agency but was told our roster wasn't ready for a guy like him because we weren't one player away.
I desperately wanted bijan robinson in the draft and was consistently told he would be a luxury pick and we had bigger needs.

And this year I want love if he's the only star power type player left.

We need to start somewhere and I honestly dont care at all what position the star plays as long as hes a star and running back seems to be one of the easier positions to assure star power because it has become so overlooked in the nfl.

Absoutely. I recall Beckham saying he thought he helped key that franchise afloat during the losing seasons while he was there because fans came to see him.

Washington doesn't do "stars". I mentioned this on ES, when Adrian Peterson was on this team even though it was late in his career, my wife a casual football fan, commented its odd to see any star name player on Washington.

Washington's GMs' no matter who they are tend to struggle to find stars-elite players. The fact that they likely keep a B at best level player like Daron Payne at 28 million because heck he's the best they got on defense brings it home.

I've been on the train for elite level backs in the draft, including J. Gibbs, for eons. But I'll say it doesn't feel like they are going to take Love right now. But I'll lol stay attuned to Keim as always as the draft approaches and maybe the vibe with change

 

[DWinzit]

I don’t think the Ravens would tag Linderbaum based on how centers are classified amongst other linemen. The AAV on a tag would be $25M.

Same reason why the Jags are going to have to let Lloyd hit FA unless they can extend him ahead of fit

The Ravens confused me by not picking up his 5th year option in April

 

[skinsinparadise]

 

[skinsinparadise]

 

[HTTR]

It’s a risk, of course, but sounds like Aiyuk would be a good buy low candidate. I know there are possible attitude issues, but we keep hearing over and over how much he and Jayden want to play together. Chance to get the receiver we need without necessarily breaking the bank. I was against this at one point, but I’m warming up to it.