The 2026 Free Agency Thread

[HTTR]

while a new RB would be a bonus.. we have soooo many other needs. Honestly a coordinator that can properly match our run game to pass can make Rordriguez and Bob look better. I dont want an average level starter.. those are a dime a dozen. we either swing big or not at all. Not sure where all the love for Etinenne and White coming from but both are just ok, above average but nothing special.

That’s pretty much where I’m at. If we can get K9 or Breece do it for sure. Three down backs with star power. Anything other than that though and I prefer to wait for the draft. I don’t want to take Love off our draft board for mediocre guys. We can always get someone of that caliber later.

Maybe Etienne belongs on the list as well, I’m on the fence with him. Never was a big fan, but he certainly had a hell of a year.

 

[skinsinparadise]

They need more of an F TE IMO than a Y

 

[Riggo44]

 

[Riggo44]

I have some reservation on Likely I was thinking about. The Ravens willingly chose to extend Andrews over Likely, even though Andrews is 5 years older. Why? What do they know about Likely? The Ravens are a well-run organization. When a team like them makes this kind of decision, I always wonder what we aren't seeing or know

 

[Due East]

I have some reservation on Likely I was thinking about. The Ravens willingly chose to extend Andrews over Likely, even though Andrews is 5 years older. Why? What do they know about Likely? The Ravens are a well-run organization. When a team like them makes this kind of decision, I always wonder what we aren't seeing or know

Mark Andrews was a bonified All Pro and Likely was TE2 with a lot of potential. I don't think it reflects negatively on Likley at all its kind of objective truth he was TE2 in a good TE room.

 

[Conn]

I have some reservation on Likely I was thinking about. The Ravens willingly chose to extend Andrews over Likely, even though Andrews is 5 years older. Why? What do they know about Likely? The Ravens are a well-run organization. When a team like them makes this kind of decision, I always wonder what we aren't seeing or know

I’ve been assuming it’s because they expect him to be way overpaid in FA, and so does his agent. So if they weren’t willing to tag him, there may not have been a deal to be made. Andrews is older and more injured but also easier to re-sign if there really was no forward momentum with Likely.

Likely has probably been jonesing to get out of there and be a true starter for years. That can be tough to fight as an organization. He was constantly second fiddle at best there unless Andrews or others were inured (heck earlier in his career despite some big fill-in games he was third fiddle). You just never know the motivation on either side

 

[HTTR]

Also, Lamar really really loves Mark Andrews. He may have intervened on his behalf. They weren’t going to be able to afford both so they made a call. The ravens have never been afraid to let good players go.

 

[Conn]

Another guy who may come available. Even if not our flavor of RB signing, may make it easier to get who we want.

Hopefully we don’t immediately jump down to the third tier to quickly sign Rachaad White, he should be a secondary option imo

 

[skinsinparadise]

Listened to Keim's podcast on FA Wrs. My takeaways. Keim also disguises his opinion for their opinion but of course I don't know for sure. He couched it all as his opinion but Keim's "opinion" is usually code for what he's hearing and he's told not to report any of it. So as betting that might be the case here.

Not a great FA crop for that spot. Suggested they are looking for an explosive WR who can stretch the defense. Maybe the draft in play. He said there are some spots he thinks in FA that can fill their needs easier than WR and will hit that soon.

A. That's the interesting one to him, by Pierce he goes fits the profile of what they need. Now is that Keim's thought or the team's? Don't know but maybe. Suspects he doesn't hit FA but might.

B. Saheed fits too but doesn't expect Seattle to let him hit FA

C. Jennings good player but considering he's more of a possession guy he doesn't think he fits the profile

D. Not sure if Deebo is worth bringing back at the price he likely wants

E. Pittman might be a cap casulty, doesn't fit the profile as being explosive but maybe some intrrigue

F. Jauan Jennings, nor a burner, so has doubts they
G. Aiyuk. How's the knee? How's the mindset? Maybe in a one year prove it deal. They won't sign him to please Jaayden but they might pick Jayden's brain to learn about his mindset.

H. Dyami Brown -- maybe back perhaps in a backup rotation spot

I. Romeo Doubs -- suspended for a game for missing practices, might not be dynamic enough for them

J. Wandale Robinson -- didn't say much, he's 5 '8, didn't say yes or no but sounded like no

Towards the end he goes he doesn't know for sure but called it informed speculation, so here's my best shot at cracking Keim code with me adding some of my own inferences to his points.

They would chase Pierce or Shaheed if they hit FA. If Pittman is released and he's at a good price, maybe. Deebo only if at a good price and probaby not. Dyami might be back as a back up. Aiyuk is possible if he checks out and the price is right, not slam dunk but enough to explore.

I'll hit this point harder in the draft thread but in short if Pierce or Shaheed don't hit FA and they land one or their is a surprise WR cut that intrigues them expect them to use their first or third for a WR in the draft.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Digesting the Keim podcast some more. I am wondering if Kyle Pitts is in play. Yeah its buyer beware with him. But he's a rare vertical threat for a TE.

 

[method man]

Dyami, OZ and Burks would be an upgrade to what we had in the mid and back rotation to start the season last year at WR. We wouldn’t be completely screwed if Terry and our future WR2 were to go down

 

[skinsinparadise]

Dyami, OZ and Burks would be an upgrade to what we had in the mid and back rotation to start the season last year at WR. We wouldn’t be completely screwed if Terry and our future WR2 were to go down

Who is Oz Zacchius?

 

[burgold]

Dyami, OZ and Burks would be an upgrade to what we had in the mid and back rotation to start the season last year at WR. We wouldn’t be completely screwed if Terry and our future WR2 were to go down

In Kliff's system absolutely. In Blough's system? We don't know.

The fact that Dyami looks to be free again doesn't speak well for him.

 

[skinsinparadise]

 

[Conn]

Digesting the Keim podcast some more. I am wondering if Kyle Pitts is in play. Yeah its buyer beware with him. But he's a rare vertical threat for a TE.

Yeah, I had posted a few weeks ago that if you sign Pitts, it’s not really overlapping with your TE need as much as your WR need, where the crop is thin. So that’s a possibility if they get creative. Wouldn’t even stop me from possibly also signing another TE that’s more well-rounded.

 

[36ST21]

There are going to be some interesting released receivers past Aiyuk. If the Colts give Pierce the bag, they will probably cut Pittman who has underperformed his contract. They will save $24M against the cap by cutting him.

The issue, obviously, is we won’t know for a few weeks until this all flushes out

I think your choice of verb in your last sentence is a Freudian slip for the perceived quality of the WR FA market.

 

[Anselmheifer]

Guess that seals the deal regarding Alec Pierce. He will get the tag if they can’t sign him.

What do you guys think of Pittman as a WR2? He isn’t the speedy, big play guy we were looking for, but he caught 80 balls last year and is way more competent than anyone other potential WR2 on the roster.

Yeah, I had posted a few weeks ago that if you sign Pitts, it’s not really overlapping with your TE need as much as your WR need, where the crop is thin. So that’s a possibility if they get creative. Wouldn’t even stop me from possibly also signing another TE that’s more well-rounded.

I would love a Pitts signing. I think he’s the kind of big play threat we could use at TE. But I agree with you. He’s a big WR. Imagine signing Pitts and Njoku or likely and running a bunch of 12 personnel. We could so easily marry our running game with the passing game and if we had a Breece Hall or a Jeremiah Love, we would be hell to deal with on offense.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Yeah, I had posted a few weeks ago that if you sign Pitts, it’s not really overlapping with your TE need as much as your WR need, where the crop is thin. So that’s a possibility if they get creative. Wouldn’t even stop me from possibly also signing another TE that’s more well-rounded.

Voice_of_Reason likes to joke that I am Keim or his kid. Nope. But I've become a Keim addict as to nuggets as to FA and the drafts especially. And i'd guess about 95% of the time it correctly steers you at least in the right direction. And he often couches opinion as to what he's hearing without saying he's hearing it.

So to me that FA WR podcast was the first likely window into what they are thinking some.

A. They want an explosve player. Keim hit the point on WR because the topic was on that. Quinn sort of alluded to the same thing with Sheehan.
B. Feels like they outright would go for Pierce and Shaheed if they become available
C. They don't think WR is hot in FA, they do think other spots are better in FA
D. Sounds like they aren't hot for a possession type WR but might make an exception if Pittman becomes available.
E. Don't rule out Aiyuk. Sounds like they might kick the tires and decide.

But yeah they might be in a pickle if they want an explosive player who can stretch the field if Pierce and Saheed don't hit FA. They will definitely sign a TE. And if they can't get the WR that's explosive maybe then its a TE, and that would fit Pitts.

As to the draft also presents a tough scenario. At least judging by mocks, Tate might be gone by the time they pick. Tate isn't a burner but he's definitiely a stretch the field type. Tyson and Lemon aren't so much. Ditto Boston.

My point is they might not have many options if they are bent on this and Pitts is sort of an end around solution to the problem.

 

[skinsinparadise]

He's worth it, I touted him before the playoff run but yeah the post season alas makes him more expensive probably.

 

[skinsinparadise]

What do you guys think of Pittman as a WR2? He isn’t the speedy, big play guy we were looking for, but he caught 80 balls last year and is way more competent than anyone other potential WR2 on the roster.

He was one of my guys in that draft. I recall some asking me if you had to pick the next Terry (who I liked in that previous draft) type, not b elite level touted WR but underrated, in this draft who would that be?

I said Pittman. And I recall some of it was:

A. Work ethic, character, leader
B. Run blocking
C. And just was a fun watch.

I haven't followed his pro career that closely but from afar he's had a good career, not a burner, but a really good and legit #2. Worse case, you can let Terry go in 2027, have Pittman and sign or draft another dude.