The 2026 Free Agency Thread

[skinsinparadise]

No offense to Standig but 1) I will trust Keim over basically everyone but the good Lord himself, and 2) I want Standig to be wrong so there's that.

Yeah, me too. Standing is swinging quite a bit on the rumerville stuff this time around. And props to him for the entertainment value. But I am also betting on Keim -- not that he or anyone will nail it all the time but he will typically steer you in the right direction.

 

[skinsinparadise]

I hope so. Going zone-heavy with him may be the move, it’s just concerning when it seems he’s not a natural in the position they want him to be—slot CB—and also lacks traits they want on the outside despite playing better there. Makes you wonder where his longterm home is and if he’s an every-down player who won’t be picked on

I think it was a mismatch in the draft. you got Quinn-Whitt who love man coverage-press. And then draft a zone-eyes on the QB CB. Sort of like what this team did eons ago with Norman -- playing man when he was a zone guy. And the Cincy corner where they played zone but he was known for man. Weird how this team keeps on this ride.

But 10 picks including the post season in 2 years, is something you can build on. And typically picks correlate with pressure and this team doesn't do pressure.

So it seems both the perfect type of coverage, heavy zone, off man, coupled with in theory pressure. Should be perfect for him. Will see. I know some reporters have heard from the team they think this scheme suits him well.

But yeah he oddly seems better on the outside then inside.

 

[Primus Porcus]

It's sort of like the Biadaz move. Some think they made a mistake and are better evaluators of that spot and what they have on the roster then they are. Are we? Maybe. So no sarcasim implied with the point. I don't know. Will see.

If they have a false believe in MaGee for example. Or have designs on the wrong LB in FA or the draft, its possible.

I know they can't sign every big FA. And granted they haven't yet, but did take some big swings. So they are willing to spend, clearly.

Are these guys, Quinn, Peters, Blough, and D. Jones as dumb or even dumber than the previous regime? Maybe.

For myself, I've seen enough good moves among the bad moves and Peters-Quinn came here with good reputations that I'll give them the benefit of the doubt this off season.

I did the same for Rivera until I saw enough and turned on him. And Rivera and their FO came with much more checkered reputations. If they bomb this off season, I'll turn on this regime, too. But for me, I'll let it play out. I try to give every regime 3 years before deciding. And year 1 was very good, especially FA. Year 2 oddly their drafting improved. Their FA signings were good too -- but it lacked ambition.

That's my key for this off season, what is the ambition level. After day 1, hard to tell yet. But not bad.

I also think we shouldn't lose sight of the fact that we got rid of our DC who was supposed to be a CB guy, and we got rid of our O-Line coach despite the fact that we all thought he was doin pretty good. It's very possible Quinn and Peters believe we left a lot of meat on that bone over the last two years. That some of these players we believe are underperforming, in fact we simply weren't getting their best version and they could see it day in and day out. I don't think these guys are in the business of letting good people go just because. The O-Line coach had questions coming here, and again, while he was here we felt the O-line was pretty good... but maybe we're just not seeing the whole picture. I personally don't think Allegretti is as good as Biadasz, but I'm just a fan on the outside. Of course we won't truly know whether it was a good decision or not til it all actually plays out.

 

[method man]

Jay Gruden on the Junkies, pumping up Love in the draft and thinks he's a great fit here. Really thinks they need a TE badly.

Interesting sort of hinted at a minimum they were torn between Vea and Payne in that draft, and then said Vea was taken before their pick, seemed to suggest they'd have taken Vea. They was a divisive debate on ES, I was on team Vea, good to hear that Vea was on their radar, I didn't get the Payne over Vea narrative.

I wouldn’t be worried about Tennessee. They go EDGE or OT.

I think Giants go Styles or Downs. Styles complements Edmunds really well

 

[method man]

Giants, are active, and easily the team with the most off season swagger, the media jumping on their bandwagon, the Harbaugh ego, on and on will make it an insufferable off season.

I know he is a disappointment for a first round pick but this feels like great value. Weren’t there rumors we were interested in him back in 2024?

 

[skinsinparadise]

I also think we shouldn't lose sight of the fact that we got rid of our DC who was supposed to be a CB guy, and we got rid of our O-Line coach despite the fact that we all thought he was doin pretty good. It's very possible Quinn and Peters believe we left a lot of meat on that bone over the last two years. That some of these players we believe are underperforming, in fact we simply weren't getting their best version and they could see it day in and day out. I don't think these guys are in the business of letting good people go just because. The O-Line coach had questions coming here, and again, while he was here we felt the O-line was pretty good... but maybe we're just not seeing the whole picture. I personally don't think Allegretti is as good as Biadasz, but I'm just a fan on the outside. Of course we won't truly know whether it was a good decision or not til it all actually plays out.

Yeah. I trust Keim-Sheehan combining their takes which is that the team seems to think at a minimum no drop off from Allegretti and Biadaz and if anything might be a slight improvement as to run blocking in a zone scheme. Whether they are right or wrong, I got no idea, I would need to see it play out.

I have heard enough that they feel like this is a make or break season, so I am guessing they aren't being self destructive to the short term at least not purposely so.

We are about one year removed from Peters being hailed by some as the executive of the year and overhauled a bottom roster it seemed over night. Quinn was hailed as the ultimate culture builder. On and on.

And then it crashed last season with injuries not being the only reason but the prime reason.

It's a theory of mine but I do think they got a bit arrogant last off season. The highlight among others for me was when the FO was miked up during that draft when Peters was making moves and Harris grinning ear to ear and said yeah Adams "Fing" Peters. Looking at Peters like he's a GM god. I just think some of that went to that regime's head for various reasons that I've explained and lol I do get constant strong pushback by a few people here whenever I mention this. So its not a popular theory for some clearly.

But my point, I think I am relatively balanced on this regime. I do think their success in 2024 was real -- not fools good. I do think their decline in 2025 was also real -- and they deserve some of the blame for it.

I used the corny Rocky 3 analogy even before the collapse last season. They had some unexpected glory. They lost their edge some IMO. Got their asses kicked by Mr. T. And now lets watch the rematch.

My gut is the down year will help them refind that edge. I do think they bounce back. I'll trust them for now. But if they get their ass kicked again by Mr. T in the rematch, I am out.

 

[Conn]

I think it was a mismatch in the draft. you got Quinn-Whitt who love man coverage-press. And then draft a zone-eyes on the QB CB. Sort of like what this team did eons ago with Norman -- playing man when he was a zone guy. And the Cincy corner where they played zone but he was known for man. Weird how this team keeps on this ride.

But 10 picks including the post season in 2 years, is something you can build on. And typically picks correlate with pressure and this team doesn't do pressure.

So it seems both the perfect type of coverage, heavy zone, off man, coupled with in theory pressure. Should be perfect for him. Will see. I know some reporters have heard from the team they think this scheme suits him well.

But yeah he oddly seems better on the outside then inside.

I think that’s what throws me and makes me question the whole structure. All this group talks about is collaboration in the operation. Quinn is a smart defensive guy. Whitt was a DB guy. Peters presumably talked with them a lot. Sinnott not fitting Kliff is another example. How the hell did this happen and persist for two years? There’s a disconnect somewhere that speaks to a muddled philosophy or muddled communications. If they didn’t get that figured out (way too late) this offseason then they’re all going to get fired. Gotta row in the same direction.

 

[turtle]

Thank you to everyone providing updates. Its appreciated

 

[skinsinparadise]

 

[Ashburn Dave]

It's sort of like the Biadaz move. Some think they made a mistake and are better evaluators of that spot and what they have on the roster then they are. Are we? Maybe. So no sarcasim implied with the point. I don't know. Will see.

Regarding the Biadaz move, I don't think that I'm a better evaluator than them. Not even close.

What I didn't like about the Biadaz move was that it did not look like the team had a better replacement. I'm still not convinced that they upgraded at C either. There was no benefit to the team to release him without a replacement other than doing him a solid which may or may not mean something to other FA's.

 

[skinsinparadise]

I think that’s what throws me and makes me question the whole structure. All this group talks about is collaboration in the operation. Quinn is a smart defensive guy. Whitt was a DB guy. Peters presumably talked with them a lot. Sinnott not fitting Kliff is another example. How the hell did this happen and persist for two years? There’s a disconnect somewhere that speaks to a muddled philosophy or muddled communications. If they didn’t get that figured out (way too late) this offseason then they’re all going to get fired. Gotta row in the same direction.

Feels like the scheme is now alinging with personel including as to Sainristil and Sinnott. Will see. But agree they should have been on the same page from the start.

 

[Higskin]

Keim just reiterating the WR possibilities. I think this will be a busy day for them.

 

[Gooseneck]

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25404872-2026-nfl-free-agency-big-boards-best-available-players-after-day-1

 

[RexTomb]

Keim just reiterating the WR possibilities. I think this will be a busy day for them.

Starting really slowly for the day though. Do they work bank hours in Ashburn?

 

[skinsinparadise]

Regarding the Biadaz move, I don't think that I'm a better evaluator than them. Not even close.

What I didn't like about the Biadaz move was that it did not look like the team had a better replacement. I'm still not convinced that they upgraded at C either. There was no benefit to the team to release him without a replacement other than doing him a solid which may or may not mean something to other FA's.

It seems like those who are critical of the move (inherent in your point here, too) think that Allegretti isn't a replacement for Biadaz. They think he is. They want to add depth to help him out and maybe even compete for the job -- assuming Sheehan-Keim are right.

To use a baseball analogy. Feels like they think Biadaz is a 270 hitter but getting paid like he's a 300 hitter. They would rather use that cash to build elsewhere (its not always about the cap but also the cash, 8 million) especially when they feel that Allegretti is a 272 hitter.

They aren't in love with either center and want someone to compete with them. But they don't need both of them on the roster for that price.

Maybe Allegretti or whichever center they sign suck, and they end up dead wrong. I don't know. But some think they are dead wrong already. Maybe. I don't know either. I have not watched Allegretti at center to have a strong opinion on the issue.

 

[method man]

I wonder who the LB would be. Would they go for a value guy like McFadden who they could get for $3M-$5M on a 1 year deal?

 

[Conn]

Feels like the scheme is now alinging with personel including as to Sainristil and Sinnott. Will see. But agree they should have been on the same page from the start.

If this staff (or even just AP) becomes successful here in the future and really builds something lasting, I guess we’ll have to chalk it up to growing pains and a pedigreed but new GM taking baby steps. But man, they sure feel like preventable errors that we can see from the outside. Aligning talent with scheme, on either side of the equation (either drafting for your coaches or hiring adaptable coaches), is like 101.

 

[skinsinparadise]

I wonder who the LB would be. Would they go for a value guy like McFadden who they could get for $3M-$5M on a 1 year deal?

Don't know. Both Standig and Keim haven't name dropped a LB name unless I missed it.

If it were me, I'd love Chenal. He's been my guy on this thread for eons.

 

[Anselmheifer]

Keim seems to be doubling down on Chig today. That would be a huge boost for the offense. Fingers crossed.

 

[Discobob]

I'm getting antsy again....

Keim seems to be doubling down on Chig today. That would be a huge boost for the offense. Fingers crossed.