The 2026 Free Agency Thread

[skinsinparadise]

I’m not saying I want Hendrickson. But, he had a core muscle injury last year. That’s not an age related injury and he generally hasn’t had health problems. But, “how he played last year”, was very solid. He had a PFF grade of 82.9 with a 90.0 pass rush grade. He’s been EXTREMELY consistent. And I think atv31, he has at least 3 really good years left. But, Id still rather have a younger player, and he doesn’t sound like a scheme fit, as the Flores defense generally requires its edges to drop into coverage.



Love this. It sounds like we will be pursuing top of the market guys. This is the most direct that Keim has been about this, I think.

A lot of good stuff in this, listening to it now. lol, got a bad night sleep so I don't feel as sharp so might have to listen to it twice. But he's doubled down on some things he's said in the recent past so those things especially I take seriously. I'll throw in my take of this podcast shortly.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

They will probably have to do all of those things, but 1/2 of them are going to be cheapskate deals for randos.

They're going to have to sign some cheapskate deals for randos.

Like they did in 2024. They signed 25 FAs, most of which started, all but Biadasz, Luvu and Allegretti were on 1 year cheap deals. Ekler was a 2 year deal. Ertz, Wagner and Ekler were all well known names, but all past their prime, and all contributed significantly.

I think you're going to see something similar but a little more aggressive. You're going to get probably 3-4 multi-year deals, the difference is 1-2 of those will be more top of the market type deals.

Then you're going to see a bunch of shorter deals as well for mid-tier players.

It's going to be a combination. As it should be.

They don't have enough money to sign long term, top of the market deals with the top WR, TE, DE, CB, RB and C on the market. Nobody does. So they have to pick where to focus, be aggressive in those areas, and then fill in with other, shorter cheaper contracts.

They did this really well in 2024. They also tied the FA signings to draft picks really well in 2024. For the guys they signed, they drafted guys behind them to develop.

The plan has failed because the guys they drafted haven't developed.

 

[skinsinparadise]

They did this really well in 2024. They also tied the FA signings to draft picks really well in 2024. For the guys they signed, they drafted guys behind them to develop.

The plan has failed because the guys they drafted haven't developed.

Feels like a more aggressive version of 2024. 2024 lets say they drove 50 miles an hour. 2025 20 miles an hour. This feels like 70 miles an hour.

As I've said before if they sign 3-4 FAs at the higher end of the market, and I think something like that will happen. The rest has to be low to mid signings. And if they do that, they likely will be the top spenders in the market or at least top 3.

The interesting thing is seems like the NY Giants have similar needs and also want to be aggressive. Standig thinks everything being equal, the Giants are the more attractive destination for FAs. that might be tested soon.

 

[skinsinparadise]

I don't think anybody knows what we're going to do at center. I probably agree with Standig that it doesn't seem overly likely they will sign Linderbaum to a $20m/year deal.

But I also don't think they're going to go into the season just giving Allegretti the role.

They're going to sign a FA at center who is at least a capable starter. They were also the same guys who benched Allegretti last year. They're not going to put all of their eggs into that basket.

And as an aside, nowhere has it been reported directly (or maybe indirectly?) that this was a cash saving move. I think people have said "they save this amount of cash" but i don't think there has been any correlation between that fact and a reason why they released Biadasz.

The thought combing Keim and Standig is they aren't swinging big on center. Keim comes off like he flat out heard that. But seems like he also heard they will sign someone to compete with Allegretti. Will see.

 

[Higskin]

I'd be very surprised if they don't. Except for WR, I see a top one signed -- but feels like Aiyuk is the plan for the 2nd WR signed and SF oddly hasn't released him yet. I wonder if SF is pissed about the Aiyuk connection to Jayden and this team. Peters didn't exactly do a hot job cloaking liking Aiyuk.

From what I've read and heard they are waiting to the start of the new league year (March 11th) for something related to cap purposes.

 

[Dlts20]

I’m not saying I want Hendrickson. But, he had a core muscle injury last year. That’s not an age related injury and he generally hasn’t had health problems. But, “how he played last year”, was very solid. He had a PFF grade of 82.9 with a 90.0 pass rush grade. He’s been EXTREMELY consistent. And I think atv31, he has at least 3 really good years left. But, Id still rather have a younger player, and he doesn’t sound like a scheme fit, as the Flores defense generally requires its edges to drop into coverage.



Love this. It sounds like we will be pursuing top of the market guys. This is the most direct that Keim has been about this, I think.

I didn't really watch him last year so I will take their word for it even though I think their numbers are a little shaky sometimes. However, I was following his numbers all last season because of the Terry situation.

Now 4 sacks in 7 games is solid. That's like a 9.7 sack pace but it's neatly half of his 17.5 sacks he had the previous 2 seasons and less than the pace that Armstrong was on last season who had 5.5 sacks in 6 games.

Sacks aren't everything but combined with his age, he seems to be trending down to me where I think that Terry didn't show any signs of that in his play. That's why I would not want to pay Trey that much.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Keim's podcast and I marry some of the points from his other podcasts to paint the picture I believe he is trying to paint.

A. They will be aggressive.

B. What he's hearing from the team and elsewhere sounds different from the past. They were active in 2024 especially but weren't chasing top of the market players, this time he hears they will. The aggression will be on a different level from the past.

C. Pursuing doesn't mean of course they land all their targets.

D. EDGE, CB, WR top quests

E. Aiyuk on the table. But they would add another WR, too, not just him. 1 year prove it deal.

F. Interested in Pierce and that might affect Aiyuk though because of the bigger money it would take to get Pierce. Hints they'd chase him but the price might get too high. This is me extrapolating from this and other podcasts which is they'd prefer to add two WRs, with Aiyuk likely one of them. So easier to do without paying one WR 27-30 million.

G. Mentioned again Jauan Jennings and Doubs and Saheed.

H. Thinks they learned the lesson of trying to rely on Noah Brown last year. Need depth at that spot.

I. Saw the rumors about Mike Evans, he hasn't heard the same from his sources but he can't rule it out, he's not going to hear everything about every player, there will always be surprises for him.

J. Jalean Phillips is a guy to watch but Philly could resign him. Mafe, Oweh

H. Grennard probably off the table, need to give up a pick for him

I. Trey Hendrickson, they might kick the tires on him. I am guess by that he means they chase him if his market isn't crazy albiet it probably will get crazy

J. Will add depth along the front. Maybe Tim Settle.

K. An out of leftfield point about Payne. He goes he hasn't been extended for a reason. If you sign a player or two, maybe they could try to trade Payne. He didn't say this is likely going down but he said there could be surprises like this. Though the trading partner would likely have to extend Payne and rework that contract. Sounds likely its unlikely but possible

L. Corner. A. Taylor brings versatility which helps disguise coverages in the Flores style scheme. Brings length. J. Dean. J Watson. Woolen.

M. Reports (assuming referencing the Berry report) of this being Terry's last year. He said its possible and another reason why you need to get a good WR for Jayden to build on

N. Tyler Biadaz. You can be rest assured they tested to see if they could trade him. They've gotten picks for other players in the best. They try to get trade comp.

O. They aren't going to get Linderbaum, they aren't spending big on center. They like Allegretti, they might sign a veteran to compete.

P. He knows they don't want to overspend in FA for a TE but he's not sure what that means, that point wasn't elaborated to him. Okonkwo or Likely maybe. Doesn't think Njoku.

Q. RB. Doesn't know if they want to spend what it will take for Etienne. Proven RB who can catch. Rachaad White fits that type

R. Not sure what they are doing at LB. If Wagner came back (not sure he does) it would be in a lesser role. Maybe Eric Wilson because of the scheme fit -- on that one sounds like its not name dropping but speculation. If I understood him right, he doesn't think they spend big at this spot -- but couldn't quite make out his point the way he said it.

S. Talking to someone with the team one of their lessons from last season was they need to improve their depth.

T. Are willing to spend top money on CB, Edge, WR -- they see them as big time impact spots that's a large part of the reason why they don't want to spend big on other spots because you can't do it all.

 

[skinsinparadise]

From what I've read and heard they are waiting to the start of the new league year (March 11th) for something related to cap purposes.

Yeah Keim said he thought it could happen by the end of the week

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

The thought combing Keim and Standig is they aren't swinging big on center. Keim comes off like he flat out heard that. But seems like he also heard they will sign someone to compete with Allegretti. Will see.

Whether or not Keim has heard something or not (I generally think not, but I have no way of knowing. Keim hasn't "reported" they won't go after a top-end center, he's just said he doesn't think they will pretty definitively.

I kindof like the way Standig put it, which was a little more nuanced that he didn't think it made sense for them to go after a $20m/year center. But he doesn't think they are going to just hand Allegretti the job either.

I agree with that also, I don't think they are in the position to make that kind of move for a center.

Standig and JP are more nuanced about bringing in competition, both saying essentially they don't think they would just hand Allegretti the role. Why would you bank on the guy who you benched last year at guard to be a starting center without competition is basically their position. Which makes sense.

Bram, oddly, thinks they have the solution in-house, and threw out Coleman as a possibility. I really think he's throwing spaghetti at the wall with that one, but he did bring up a quote from Quinn that said they were working Coleman all over and even having him do some snaps. So, maybe? I find that somewhat unlikely. It would be really out of left field if that was the answer, though. In which case, they need a guard. (Said in Jay Gruden voice. )

I think the plan is probably for Coleman to play LG and pray that it isn't as much of a disaster as early last season was which caused him to get benched, Allegretti would be the back-stop at center if they can't find somebody else in FA or the draft.

Wylie is the swing tackle/guard. They will need to find another backup tackle or guard.

 

[SkinsFTW]

I'd stay away from Philips for the kind of money they are all talking about. He hasn't played more than 9 games since 2022.

 

[Riggo44]

Id be very concerned if they made no real additions to C or LG. Maybe Coleman can develop into that role? Maybe he fits better with what Blough wants to do? But he got benched for a reason last year, same with Allegretti. He would have to improve significantly to win that spot.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Digesting all that intel, Keim mostly some Standig here's my best guess at what they do in week 1

A. Check in on Pierce and Hendrickson but get out bid and bow out of those biddings.

B. They sign either Phillips or Mafe at edge. Runner up Oweh. And then they go for another a week or two later like Ebikittie

C. 50-50 if they sign Oknonkwo or Likely. Hard call.

D. At CB. They sign A. Taylor. If not J. Dean

E. They sign Shaheed. If not Jennings

F. They sign either Rachaad White or Allegier at RB

Clearly, they do more than just this but this is what I'd bet on where am guessing I get at least one of those things right based on their intel. Will see.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Id be very concerned if they made no real additions to C or LG. Maybe Coleman can develop into that role? Maybe he fits better with what Blough wants to do? But he got benched for a reason last year, same with Allegretti. He would have to improve significantly to win that spot.

Sounds like Coleman definitely would be the LG but surprised if they signed one. Sounds like they do sign a center.

 

[Riggo44]

I'd stay away from Philips for the kind of money they are all talking about. He hasn't played more than 9 games since 2022.

I think Phillips might be ye ol' smoke screen. Peters specifically stated that he wasn't going to chase injury prone players. That would be very surprising if they went after Phillips.

Also, Armstrong was on a 13.5 sack pace last year, before he got hurt. Someone like Mafe or Oweh on the other side of him, that would allow Luvu to play more in his natural position, rather than an almost full-time edge, would do a lot for the pass rush.

 

[Skinfanjon]

I'd stay away from Philips for the kind of money they are all talking about. He hasn't played more than 9 games since 2022.

Agreed. I’d like to double dip at edge and aim high for both. Mafe and Oweh would be awesome. Doesn’t seem likely to happen but my thinking is the only one of the big three left in the draft at 7 will be Bain and I don’t want him.

You add those two and hope Dorance returns to form, sprinkle in Martin and Jean-Baptiste, maybe bring back Von for one more go and that room sounds pretty strong to me.

 

[RWJ]

Digesting all that intel, Keim mostly some Standig here's my best guess at what they do in week 1

A. Check in on Pierce and Hendrickson but get out bid and bow out of those biddings.

B. They sign either Phillips or Mafe at edge. Runner up Oweh. And then they go for another a week or two later like Ebikittie

C. 50-50 if they sign Oknonkwo or Likely. Hard call.

D. At CB. They sign A. Taylor. If not J. Dean

E. They sign Shaheed. If not Jennings

F. They sign either Rachaad White or Allegier at RB

Clearly, they do more than just this but this is what I'd bet on where am guessing I get at least one of those things right based on their intel. Will see.

Thanks for the info/post as always, SIP. I'd really like to see them outbid and get Pierce. I think he's head and shoulders the best FA WR and AP will regret not getting the youngest, best available WR, even if it exceeds TM's salary. Jennings would be good consolation but do he and Aiyuk play together again in DC like in SF. I hope not and even if Aiyuk didn't like playing in SF, to me it raises red flags about him as a player.

Hoping for Oweh over Mafe and stay away from Phillips.

Hoping for Taylor as he just fits best at CB.

I figured RB White as JD5 has connections with but it shouldn't be about connections but best player.


Thanks again for the post/input.

 

[KDawg]

We’re going to need to keep an eye on the Raiders, too. They have something like $121M in cap space, 26M more than anyone else.

That with our actual roster holes and needing to average a hair over $5M for each active roster vacancy means we are going to have a ton of competition. The Raiders will be in the Edge market as well, albeit to a lesser extent. But they are going to target receivers to pair with Mendoza and Jeanty and Bowers.

They’ll probably be very active on OL, too.

 

[Riggo44]

If we are signing complimentary backs instead of bell cows--from what the team as said about Bill, and reporters have said about what their looking at--it sounds like they're going with the former. I think White makes more sense than Allegier. Allegier looks like a more proven Chris Rodriguez.

 

[KDawg]

If we are signing complimentary backs instead of bell cows--from what the team as said about Bill, and reporters have said about what their looking at--it sounds like they're going with the former. I think White makes more sense than Allegier. Allegier looks like a more proven Chris Rodriguez.

I think I’d prefer CRod to Allgeier. Less strain on cap and similar productiob.

Of that second tier the only one I see as a scheme fit is White. I don’t feel good about him as our lead, but in the event that it’s not Love that we wind up with he is the best option for an all-around back that won’t break the bank.

I’d be melancholy with White, but not frustrated. It’s a positive step.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Whether or not Keim has heard something or not (I generally think not, but I have no way of knowing. Keim hasn't "reported" they won't go after a top-end center, he's just said he doesn't think they will pretty definitively.

I kindof like the way Standig put it, which was a little more nuanced that he didn't think it made sense for them to go after a $20m/year center. But he doesn't think they are going to just hand Allegretti the job either.

I agree with that also, I don't think they are in the position to make that kind of move for a center.

Standig and JP are more nuanced about bringing in competition, both saying essentially they don't think they would just hand Allegretti the role. Why would you bank on the guy who you benched last year at guard to be a starting center without competition is basically their position. Which makes sense.

Bram, oddly, thinks they have the solution in-house, and threw out Coleman as a possibility. I really think he's throwing spaghetti at the wall with that one, but he did bring up a quote from Quinn that said they were working Coleman all over and even having him do some snaps. So, maybe? I find that somewhat unlikely. It would be really out of left field if that was the answer, though. In which case, they need a guard. (Said in Jay Gruden voice. )

I think the plan is probably for Coleman to play LG and pray that it isn't as much of a disaster as early last season was which caused him to get benched, Allegretti would be the back-stop at center if they can't find somebody else in FA or the draft.

Wylie is the swing tackle/guard. They will need to find another backup tackle or guard.

The way Keim explained it, sounds very much like its something he's heard. Will see, As for Keim, I understand you don’t see him as someone who really “knows,” when he puts something out that isn't a report and you’ve been consistent about that for a long time. And I don't want to dive back into that rabbit hole, especially after i spent almost an hour more or less transcribing a long podcast for the benefit of some here who are interested.

I heard the Bram Coleman stuff from Bram's podcast. Maybe but I doubt it. In part because looks like they very likely lose Chris Paul and for what its worth lol some that cover the team (not just Keim) believe Paul is gone if he gets a good deal elsewhere and if so Coleman is likely slated at LG. I see them signing a swing center-guard similar to Allegretti. They would need to if Coleman replaces Paul. They do have Trent Scott and Wylie as backup tackles. But I'll give this regime props that they do tend to value depth on the O line.