The 2026 Free Agency Thread

[skinsinparadise]

Just seems like as a group we all have a list of wants but when we finally get one to strike off the list we then get another warning about the need at wide receiver

I'll give Peters this, unlike last off season when almost every spot we worred about wasn't addressed or if it were it was with some sort of flier except for O line -- this off season, its been the opposite, he seems to be methodically working through addressing the team's holes.

Only ones left IMO
A. Wr. And I think they need two.
B. OC-OG. I'll give them the benefit of doubt on Allegretti but I don't want all the eggs in his basket, bring him competition
C. CB. I think its the one weakness remaining on the defense, they need one more IMO.

But they've come a long way this off season. I'd give him an A minus. If he addresses the remaining needs, A plus from me.

 

[burgold]

Will see, but IMO he's a better back than Croskey-Merritt.

lol... I'm rooting for Bill to make you all change your minds. I remember especially early in the season Bill looking special. I'm hoping he takes another step forward this year.

 

[Dah-Dee]

Of the many offseason mistakes AP made in 2025, seems like (1) failing to retain Zaccheus and (2) failing to sign someone to start ahead of Brown were maybe the worst. We're currently still in that same bad place WR-wise, even with the expected addition probably possibly maybe someday of Aiyuk. Lane/LMC/Burks should be, at best, 4/5/6 on the depth chart in whatever order. We still need a solid #2 even if we think Aiyuk is healthy and can be the #3. And I'd like to see multiple draft picks come in to challenge for a roster spot.

I'm very very happy with the 2026 offseason so far, just that Zaccheus mention brought back unpleasant memories....

 

[KDawg]

lol... I'm rooting for Bill to make you all change your minds. I remember especially early in the season Bill looking special. I'm hoping he takes another step forward this year.

I think a lot of us are rooting for that.

 

[DWinzit]

I think a lot of us are rooting for that.

Yup, also probably one of the reasons they only signed White to a one year deal

 

[method man]

From the insane RB class of 2025, I bet some of those guys will turn over and get cut if we want more RB depth

 

[Bulldog]

The way you have switched up should be studied.

No, I just look now with the chessboard where it is and see that our #7 and #71 picks can be used as a safety net so to speak for anything we are not able to accomplish in free agency.

It wasn't until we made enough moves in FA that you could see the outlines of the board and the strategy that is being put in place.

It is interesting that Jennings and Deebo have not been signed - which to me means they are not going to earn what they hoped for in a new contract.

 

[Dlts20]

This is live right now

 

[RWJ]

I'll give Peters this, unlike last off season when almost every spot we worred about wasn't addressed or if it were it was with some sort of flier except for O line -- this off season, its been the opposite, he seems to be methodically working through addressing the team's holes.

Only ones left IMO
A. Wr. And I think they need two.
B. OC-OG. I'll give them the benefit of doubt on Allegretti but I don't want all the eggs in his basket, bring him competition
C. CB. I think its the one weakness remaining on the defense, they need one more IMO.

But they've come a long way this off season. I'd give him an A minus. If he addresses the remaining needs, A plus from me.

Yep, AP's first year was fire in FA, then ice and now fire again.

 

[SkinsLife]

Not a huge fan of White. But the signing makes sense for 1y. This basically says, “if love is there, we take him”.

I differ in my opinion of Pierce with most on this board. I think he is much more than he’s been asked to do so far and his 30mil/y contract will look like a steal in a couple of years.

 

[skinsinparadise]

lol... I'm rooting for Bill to make you all change your minds. I remember especially early in the season Bill looking special. I'm hoping he takes another step forward this year.

I got to revive the draft thread from day 3, I must have posted on I want Croskey-Merritt and why like 20 times -- so my credentials as to the love for the player are as strong as anyone here.

But...

In today's NFL, if you aren't a pass catching threat and not a hot pass protector -- you got to be really special to be a lead back. And while I like Croskey-Merritt, he's not special IMO. And he's about to turn 25 next month so I don't see some long developing runway for him.

As a pure runner, he's good. Not special IMO. But good. He runs with his hair on fire and has some wicked cuts in open field. But IMO his vision-patience isn't special. Good back though but not a complete back.

Rachaad White isn't special either but he's a complete back. Good pass catcher, good pass protector, You don't know if its a run or pass when he's in the backfield. I forgot which film guy made this point about Croskey-Merritt I think it was Suter who said you know they are running the ball when Croskey Merritt is in the backfield because they don't trust him to catch the ball or pass protect.

 

[ES1974]

I'll give Peters this, unlike last off season when almost every spot we worred about wasn't addressed or if it were it was with some sort of flier except for O line -- this off season, its been the opposite, he seems to be methodically working through addressing the team's holes.

Only ones left IMO
A. Wr. And I think they need two.
B. OC-OG. I'll give them the benefit of doubt on Allegretti but I don't want all the eggs in his basket, bring him competition
C. CB. I think its the one weakness remaining on the defense, they need one more IMO.

But they've come a long way this off season. I'd give him an A minus. If he addresses the remaining needs, A plus from me.

Exactly where I’m at, I see corner as a glaring weakness on D. Wonder if we take a random flyer on Diggs, is he still out there?

 

[Bulldog]

Most teams have a running back tandem or rotation. Even Walker in Seattle was in a two-back offense until the playoffs.

I don't know whether Merritt will make significant strides in these other areas, but I think he can be part of the puzzle here over the next year or two.

It may very well be that he doesn't get a second contract here but I am not worried about that in 2026.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Exactly where I’m at, I see corner as a glaring weakness on D. Wonder if we take a random flyer on Diggs, is he still out there?

The weird story with Diggs and his butler I gather needs to be resolved first.

 

[ES1974]

The weird story with Diggs and his butler I gather needs to be resolved first.

I’ve clearly missed that….and I am not even going to ask….😂

 

[burgold]

I got to revive the draft thread from day 3, I must have posted on I want Croskey-Merritt and why like 20 times -- so my credentials as to the love for the player are as strong as anyone here.

But...

In today's NFL, if you aren't a pass catching threat and not a hot pass protector -- you got to be really special to be a lead back. And while I like Croskey-Merritt, he's not special IMO. And he's about to turn 25 next month so I don't see some long developing runway for him.

As a pure runner, he's good. Not special IMO. But good. He runs with his hair on fire and has some wicked cuts in open field. But IMO his vision-patience isn't special. Good back though but not a complete back.

Rachaad White isn't special either but he's a complete back. Good pass catcher, good pass protector, You don't know if its a run or pass when he's in the backfield. I forgot which film guy made this point about Croskey-Merritt I think it was Suter who said you know they are running the ball when Croskey Merritt is in the backfield because they don't trust him to catch the ball or pass protect.

I know and it feels like I'm always picking on you when it comes to Bill. I think it's just the role you take on here at BGO.

For what it's worth, I think pass pro can be picked up and improved upon. Hands... I'm not so sure. Still, if a RB can train his hands not to fumble then he ought to be able to improve as a pass catcher.

 

[Bulldog]

Not a huge fan of White. But the signing makes sense for 1y. This basically says, “if love is there, we take him”.

I differ in my opinion of Pierce with most on this board. I think he is much more than he’s been asked to do so far and his 30mil/y contract will look like a steal in a couple of years.

Well unfortunately for the rest of the NFL Pierce decided that waiting for his quarterback to rehab a serious knee injury after playing with him for a single season was enough for him to turn down more money from other suitors.

He reminds me of Ben Johnson, just conflicted about whether to move out of his comfort zone or not.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Agree he's a strong #2, but I don't see JCM as a #1 either. They need one more

 

[Bulldog]

We need 4 backs right? So, we are halfway there.

 

[KDawg]

I know and it feels like I'm always picking on you when it comes to Bill. I think it's just the role you take on here at BGO.

For what it's worth, I think pass pro can be picked up and improved upon. Hands... I'm not so sure. Still, if a RB can train his hands not to fumble then he ought to be able to improve as a pass catcher.

Pass pro is actually really difficult to be good at. It’s the hardest for a back.

You have to understand defensive schemes, play with sound technique and have the ass to take on a 250lb freight train.

Receiving is much easier to improve.

Vision is also very difficult to improve on.