The 2026 Free Agency Thread

[burgold]

Is Oweh Bailey and Chanel Sonny Styles? It almost feels like we just drafted both except with less draft projection and bust risk.

 

[RedWolf]

Evidently we have 80 million still available for free agents, that is the highest in the league. If you take seven off the top for the rookie pool, that puts us at 73 million. Lots of cash available to sign the right players

 

[skinsinparadise]

 

[skinsinparadise]

They could. But we also need a safety and I feel 71 is the best spot for that. I think we’re going to stand pat at a few positions or add low dollar competition. Can’t fill every hole.

I think Downs is in play at 7, too.

Am thinking Love likely gone before 7.

I'd bet right now on Downs or Tate.

 

[RedWolf]

I say we make a solid offer to Hendrickson. We got the cash

 

[Discobob]

I say we make a solid offer to Hendrickson. We got the cash

I said this earlier... but I'm OK with a two year overpay as long as the contract has an out after 2 seasons. Don't really care if it looks like a 3 or 4 year deal.

 

[RedWolf]

I said this earlier... but I'm OK with a two year overpay as long as the contract has an out after 2 seasons. Don't really care if it looks like a 3 or 4 year deal.

Exactly, I feel the same way. We let a few top free agents get away from us nail this one down

 

[Neophyte]

The Chenal signing has me excited all the sudden. If we end up running something akin to the Flores scheme that MN is using, he could be a breakout player.

He has the 3rd best RAS out of 2410 LBs rated between 1987 and 2022.

He is a ridiculous athlete.

 

[skinsinparadise]

If they sign another edge, another CB, doesn't have to be break the bank versions of it. And draft Downs. This defense should be at least average IMO.

The defense IMO had four problems last year.

A. No pressure.
B. Bad secondary
C. No depth.
D. Bad coaching

Depending on who they sign

A. Pressure should be at least OK maybe even good assuming Armstrong comes back healthy. As wacky as it sounds early in the season they were one of the top teams in pressure.

B. I think the scheme should help the secondary especially for Sainristil. They need though still to add a corner IMO. I don't love this unit but if they draft Downs he can cover some warts.

C. The depth should be at least ok.

D. Fingers crossed as to the coaching but I like the Flores scheme a lot.

 

[Bulldog]

Luvu going back to a LB role and blitzing inside the tackles could put him back up around 8-9 sacks in 2026.

Some of the improvements can come from within.

 

[actorguy1]

 

[lovemaskins]

If they sign another edge, another CB, doesn't have to be break the bank versions of it. And draft Downs. This defense should be at least average IMO.

The defense IMO had four problems last year.

A. No pressure.
B. Bad secondary
C. No depth.
D. Bad coaching

Depending on who they sign

A. Pressure should be at least OK maybe even good assuming Armstrong comes back healthy. As wacky as it sounds early in the season they were one of the top teams in pressure.

B. I think the scheme should help the secondary especially for Sainristil. They need though still to add a corner IMO. I don't love this unit but if they draft Downs he can cover some warts.

C. The depth should be at least ok.

D. Fingers crossed as to the coaching but I like the Flores scheme a lot.

You’ve accurately described a historically bad defense.

 

[aledb11]

The defense is going to be a LOT different than last year.

 

[DWinzit]

I’m still irritated we let Curl go, then doubled down and let Chinn walk. Ive been lurking but couldn’t hold my peace with the mention of needing a safety.

You're not alone with the concerns. There has been a lot more S talk I the draft thread than the FA thread. Especially when Curl resigned. It is due to the possibility of Downs at 7 and the deep pool so could get one at 71. There are a number of real good ones that I like that will go between the end of the first and later 2nd rounds

 

[DWinzit]

Good signing, good fit, doesn't break the bank and fills a need!

 

[Single-Bar Facemask]

The defense is going to be a LOT different than last year.

Yes it will.

Now go sign a WR.

 

[skinsinparadise]

You’ve accurately described a historically bad defense.

It certainly was. When you got at some point in the season, Jacob Martin as your best edge. and Luvu playing edge and your two somewhat pedestran DTS being billed as the top players on that defense according to what Keim hard from another team's coaches -- that's beyond pathetic.

And coached with a vanilla scheme by a dude who seemed a subdued personality -- meh.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Good signing, good fit, doesn't break the bank and fills a need!

Very nice. Like it a lot.

 

[Boone]

Wonder why it’s just 1 year?

 

[RedWolf]

Yes it will.

Now go sign a WR.

And TE, RB and S