The 2026 Free Agency Thread

[DWinzit]

I believe he retired. Cushenberry failed his physical with Tennessee and Hennessey signed with the Cowboys.

From the veteran pile, James Daniels? He has been injury riddled the past couple seasons

Maybe Pocic is ready to play midseason

Yes the FA Center pool has turned into a bit of a stink pile.

There are some pretty decent round 2 and 3 guys, again missing that 2nd

 

[KDawg]

Yes but my point is getting a high level RB in free agency is a lot cheaper than receiver and we might not pick this high again anytime soon, if things workout like we want it to

What high level running backs hit FA?

 

[DWinzit]

I think there is another plan. I’m just not sure what it is.

We’ll see. Maybe not.

There really must be. It is through the draft which I am certain was not part of any initial plan of attack, a Plan D

 

[DWinzit]

What high level running backs hit FA?

Etienne and Walker then there was a drop in a level

 

[KDawg]

Etienne and Walker then there was a drop in a level

A significant drop.

 

[Canuck]

C Rod and McNichols being replaced by (checks notes) White and Ford just shows how easy it is to find players like C Rod, McNichols, White and Ford. Which makes a guy like Love really stand out. I too agree the tea leaves are kind of pointing at Tate, I hope it's Love or Downs.

IDK, CRod signed with Jax the first day that he was available and it was for 2 yrs.

Still think they should have kept him, then only sign one of White or Ford.

 

[CuredFromBatteredFanSyndrome]

I didn't see any of that with Jayden. It looked mostly all self inflicted. He started taking off a lot immediately without going through progressions and even when guys were wide open, he was off target a lot. His accuracy was pin point as a rookie and way down last year.

Honestly, his demeanor was way different. He was much more of a goof ball last year compared to him as a rookie. It honestly bothered me to see guys like Maye look focused and serious while Jayden was laughing and smiling in crucial moments and after all his bad plays.

The prior year he was more non chalant and calm. Not being a goof ball 24/7.

This is just looking for things to be mad about. In 2024 it was highly acknowledged how cool Jayden was under pressure; unflappable, moves on to the next play, etc. He regularly left the field with a smile, bad play or not. It’s just everybody likes everything you do when you win, but when you lose those same things are annoying.

 

[heisenberg]

Yes but my point is getting a high level RB in free agency is a lot cheaper than receiver and we might not pick this high again anytime soon, if things workout like we want it to

This is working under the assumption that both tate and love will end up having equivalent careers respective to their positions

There are some of us who believe tate is good but most likely to end up in that above average jennings/wandale robinson/shaheed tier whereas love is more likely to end up in that elite, Robinson/gibbs/barkley tier and that is why we want love over tate.

If this were a decision between jammar chase coming out or jeremiyah love then it would be a no brainer but then again chase would never in a million years fall to us at 7 and love might because of the position he plays.

 

[ES1974]

Love certainly looks to have elite traits whereas Tate looks like a very good receiver.

However, because of that, getting the former at #7 seems unlikely in my opinion.

 

[KDawg]

If the choice was Jeremiah Smith or Jerimiyah Love it’d be a much tougher decision for me and I think I’d go Smith. But it isn’t.

 

[method man]

If the choice was Jeremiah Smith or Jerimiyah Love it’d be a much tougher decision for me and I think I’d go Smith. But it isn’t.

Why wouldn’t Smith be a slam dunk no brainer for you in this scenario?

 

[Primus Porcus]

Hey folks, appreciate the discussion but this is the Free Agency thread. I understand there is some overlap but lets keep this one with Free Agency as the basis.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

What high level running backs hit FA?

Well. Sequan Barkley did 2 seasons ago.

I can’t remember whether Henry was traded to a Baltimore or signed as a FA. But I think he was signed as a FA.

Depending on your point of view, either one of them could have been the best RB in the league, certainly not outside the top 5, the year they hit Free Agency.

 

[KDawg]

Why wouldn’t Smith be a slam dunk no brainer for you in this scenario?

Because I love Love as a prospect and I think he makes a big impact to whoever gets him and I could give a shit about min max options at this point with our roster.

Having said that, I said Smith. So what’s it matter if it’s tough for me to choose?

To make this about FA - I think it’s easier to get impact receivers in FA than it is to get an impact RB. Cost matters, yes, but not when you have cap space and don’t use it.

We just whiffed on the receivers.

 

[heisenberg]

If the choice was Jeremiah Smith or Jerimiyah Love it’d be a much tougher decision for me and I think I’d go Smith. But it isn’t.

That's where I am too, only under that circumstance I now buy into the positional value and cost of a veteran argument and would take Smith without hesitation.

Getting jammar chase on a rookie contract has much more cap value than Getting Bijan Robinson not to mention career longevity.

 

[prodigy]

is it wrong for me to be so envious of josh johnson's career?

 

[CapsCommies]

is it wrong for me to be so envious of josh johnson's career?

Josh Johnson is unassailably one of the most successful NFL quarterbacks of all time

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

is it wrong for me to be so envious of josh johnson's career?

Not even a little bit wrong

 

[prodigy]

I like the Ford signing, I've had in FF so have watched him quite a bit.

He is a solid, well rounded back, good in the passing game.

Has always produced when give a chance. Others mentioned he got hurt last yr and was passed by Judkins.

I'd say he is probably RB1 for us as of now so long as he is healthy.

agreed. even without Love, our RB room is significantly upgraded imo.

 

[ES1974]

To make this about FA - I think it’s easier to get impact receivers in FA than it is to get an impact RB. Cost matters, yes, but not when you have cap space and don’t use it.

We just whiffed on the receivers.

I’d agree here. I mean, Pierce apparently wanted to stay at the Colts. We’re still sat with stacks of cap space, in our situation you literally go balls deep and get the player. Opens up the whole of FA and the draft. But we only go 5% higher and don’t push the button enough, IMO.