The 2026 Free Agency Thread

[ES1974]

You’d image one was us….😂
https://x.com/JFowlerESPN
Jeremy Fowler

@JFowlerESPN

Free agent guard Mike Caliendo is signing a one-year deal to remain with the Chiefs, per agent Nate Richman of @3XLSports. Caliendo had numerous offers elsewhere but wanted to stay with Kansas City.

 

[DWinzit]

Your point in our repeated debates on this topic has been he had a plan so whether i liked the plan or not it was a plan. It sure was and the plan for 2025 sucked IMO and i called it before it unraveled.

As for 2024, Jayden overcame the mediocre WR crew. Does that validate Peters as to his instincts on WRs? You suggest, yes. IMO, hell no. But it does give him props for drafting Jayden.

As for 2026, i made my point with plenty of detail and nuance which you missed. And I dont have the energy to repeat.

Ive defended Peters on some issues and I believe I am relatively balanced on him.

I admittedly haven't been following some of this exchage you two have had.

I agree the WR group Jayden has been given in each year has been far from stellar. That is on AP alone

Jayden was fortunate to have Ertz to lean on in 2024

AP is working to rectify his past by really weaponizing this offense.

Still desperately need that WR2 and probably a stronger RB1 if the plan is to go with a bigger running game.

I will sprinkle in that the offense also still needs an answer at Center past Allegretti

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

I figure they have been grooming him (no pun intended) to become a coach, which seems like it's quickly becoming the de facto QB3 career trajectory.

If he's being groomed to be a coach, then they can make him a coach and open the roster spot to somebody else.

I personally think the only grooming he needs is at Hair Cuttery.

 

[skinsinparadise]

I admittedly haven't been following some of this exchage you two have had.

I agree the WR group Jayden has been given in each year has been far from stellar. That is on AP alone

Jayden was fortunate to have Ertz to lean on in 2024

AP is working to rectify his past by really weaponizing this offense.

Still desperately need that WR2 and probably a stronger RB1 if the plan is to go with a bigger running game.

I will sprinkle in that the offense also still needs an answer at Center past Allegretti

The same people push back on my criticism of what Peters did with WR in 2025, and that's cool to each their own on that. Their arguments are a variation of Deebo, Deebo, Deebo. And the idea of me mocking Peters' approach, doesn't take into an account that there was a plan and logic to that plan. And the plan could have worked out.

That's fine. I never thought it was just some wild random moves. I am sure everything comes with a plan. And almost every plan has some logic to it. I can't of course see Peters going to Harris and going this probably will blow up in my face but here's what am thinking.

The problem with Deebo is he is a side dish, gadget WR, you can see that because as for now they aren't even reupping with him and looking for a traditional WR -- I like Deebo but Deebo is what you do when you have two good reliable receivers. He's the extra.

But if the thought is hey give him credit for having a plan. Yeah, I'll agree it was a plan but a bad one.

As for 2026, as I've said, give him credit for trying. I'll give him credit for saying he's learned from what they did on WR -- that was in response ironically to a question from Standig about their reliance on Noah Brown last year. I'll give him credit for the backups not being discarded street FAs. The Wr lineup sucks right now. Even worse than last year. But the backups are better. And I don't think Peters is done. Will see.

 

[Dlts20]

This is the first time I thought about the fact that Chenal and Omenihu played together... Lol

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

Even worse than last year. But the backups are better. And I don't think Peters is done. Will see.

I agree. Whoever posted the tweet from whoever who said "the Commanders are not going to throw money at the top of the market and then settle at the position" sortof encapsulates what I'm thinking. They know there's a problem, they tried, they failed, they changed plans to at least get competent depth (which they didn't have last year), but there is still the draft, Deebo and Aiyuk are still available.

Something will change.

I don't think they are going to count on McCaffery, Lane and Burks to just be starters and significant contributors from nowhere. That would be like Jay Gruden trying to convince me Ryan Grant could replace Pierre Garcon. Which was just an absolutely ridiculously stupid thing to say, because it wasn't true, and everybody knew it wasn't true. I don't even think Jay believed it. And if Jay believed it, then he was even a bigger idiot than I give him credit for.

Peter's actions to this point don't suggest he's going to go that route. He isn't going to try and convince us that McCaffery, Lane, DBrown and Burks are the final answer, and just trust him that things will work out.

We'll see what he does. If I future gaze, I think there is a starting FA signed and a WR drafted. Who the starter is, it's either Deebo or Aiyuk, depending on what happens with SF. I think if they can't get Aiyuk, they have to re-sign Deebo. He might not be the ideal guy, but he's at least a starting caliber talent. And then they can address the starting outside WR in the draft. But that puts a lot of pressure on the #7 pick.

If they get Aiyuk when SF is done farting around and assuming he clears whatever mental checks and physical checks they are going to do, then they have more options. I'd probably still draft a guy, but maybe you don't have to do it at #7. Or maybe they sign both Aiyuk and Deebo and don't feel like they have to draft a guy. Not sure.

But something will happen. I'm 100% convinced of that.

 

[skinsinparadise]

I agree. Whoever posted the tweet from whoever who said "the Commanders are not going to throw money at the top of the market and then settle at the position" sortof encapsulates what I'm thinking. They know there's a problem, they tried, they failed, they changed plans to at least get competent depth (which they didn't have last year), but there is still the draft, Deebo and Aiyuk are still available.

Something will change.

I don't think they are going to count on McCaffery, Lane and Burks to just be starters and significant contributors from nowhere. That would be like Jay Gruden trying to convince me Ryan Grant could replace Pierre Garcon. Which was just an absolutely ridiculously stupid thing to say, because it wasn't true, and everybody knew it wasn't true. I don't even think Jay believed it. And if Jay believed it, then he was even a bigger idiot than I give him credit for.

Peter's actions to this point don't suggest he's going to go that route. He isn't going to try and convince us that McCaffery, Lane, DBrown and Burks are the final answer, and just trust him that things will work out.

We'll see what he does. If I future gaze, I think there is a starting FA signed and a WR drafted. Who the starter is, it's either Deebo or Aiyuk, depending on what happens with SF. I think if they can't get Aiyuk, they have to re-sign Deebo. He might not be the ideal guy, but he's at least a starting caliber talent. And then they can address the starting outside WR in the draft. But that puts a lot of pressure on the #7 pick.

If they get Aiyuk when SF is done farting around and assuming he clears whatever mental checks and physical checks they are going to do, then they have more options. I'd probably still draft a guy, but maybe you don't have to do it at #7. Or maybe they sign both Aiyuk and Deebo and don't feel like they have to draft a guy. Not sure.

But something will happen. I'm 100% convinced of that.

I agree, And just as for my Peters credentials so to speak.

A. I wanted to give him 3 years to fully judge. I am not one here who wants to fire him now
B. I do like what I've read about his makeup, competitivesness and work ethic
C. While I hated his lack of ambition in the 2025 FA class -- I think he's really good at playing the FA market, so many hits
D. While the 2024 draft looks meh on the aggregate, I think he bounced back with a good 2025 draft
E. Love his emphasis on the O line and done a nice job with it
F. I think this FA class is borderline masterful.

I am far from one of the loudest critics of Peters on the whole. But I am the loudest critic on the supporting cast issue.

In short, you can see some teams like the Bears operate where they want to load up Caleb with some many weapons that its borderline ridiculous where its almost impossible to fail. It's like code red to them and some other teams with young QBs. and the fact that it clearly has not been remotely code red for Peters bugs the hell out of me. But I do think he's likely learning a lesson from it. Jayden isn't superman there are limiits to how low you can go as to giving him help where he can overcome it. I don't want the team's young franchise QB having to overcome things. I want it to be made super easy for him like the Bears do for Caleb.

The Pats spent a ton in FA last year. Went heavy this year, too. They beat Washington to Doubs and now are trying to trade for AJ Brown. I want that mindset with Peters. And we have some signs that its coming. Will see.

 

[Higskin]

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

The Pats spent a ton in FA last year. Went heavy this year, too. They beat Washington to Doubs and now are trying to trade for AJ Brown. I want that mindset with Peters. And we have some signs that its coming. Will see.

I want them to surround Daniels with a great supporting cast too. And I didn't like the plan for WR either. I actually really didn't like the plan for TE either. I was screaming they needed a guy who could stretch the middle of the field to help the running game and spread the defense. RB, eh, I didn't care as much. But I'd be happy to never run the ball. (That's an exaggeration)

It's really possible that Peters learned a tough lesson. If you look at his history, he grew up in the Pats, Denver and SF organizations.

The Pats never went big to get weapons for Brady, except Moss, who everybody thought was washed up. They traded a 4th to get Moss. Ironically, the best weapon Brady ever had, the Brady/Moss combo never won a SB. Got close and lost to the Giants. The other weapon of note was Gronk. Who was a second round draft pick. They had guys like Edleman (7th round), Wes Welker (undrafted), etc. who Brady made into all-pros.

SF seems to always have weapons, but they seem to get them and develop them. Except for McCaffery, who they traded for to put them over the top. Deebo was a second round pick who exploded. Aiyuk was a late first. Jennings was a 7th rounder. Those are the receivers with the most receiving yards in the last 7 years.

I think it's possible Peters' upbringing tells him you don't have to spend a ton on weapons because either Brady or Kyle basically showed him you don't have to.

And in 2024, they didn't spend big for weapons, and they got to the NFC Championship game with Terry, combination of Noah Brown, Diyami Brown, OZ and Ertz as the primary targets in the passing game.

Then 2025 happened.

And he's immediately adjusted.

And I think that's a really positive sign.

 

[Dlts20]

We aren't giving him anything. We drafted Bill in the 7th round. Brady was drafted in the 7th. Their own Purdy was drafted in the 7th. I'm not giving up anything for him. They will release him at some point. We can just draft a WR either way.

 

[HTTR]

Good luck, San Fran, you’re gonna need it. A seventh rounder is no big deal but nobody is going to want all that baggage and have to pay him that contract. If he was even close to worth it, San Fran would just keep him anyway rather than take the cap hit for letting him go.

We should wait it out, even if it means accepting that we may not be able to fix WR2 until next year. Perhaps one of our young guys steps up, or another opportunity presents itself. Plus there’s still Jennings possibly.

The good news is, when they eventually have no choice but to drop him, we know that he very much wants to come play here.

 

[Anselmheifer]

Just give them a fucking 7th and renegotiate the contract. I’d rather have the house I want for an extra $10,000 than the house I didn’t, for the savings. A 7th is almost nothing. Get him here. In time for OTA’s, to install the new offense, and bring back the Jayden of ‘24.

The damage of getting a guy like Aiyuk here in August, instead of April, is worse than the value of a 7th. At least for this team, trying to rehab Jayden, with the need to be relevant again, this year.

Edit: At this point, Aiyuk should go back to the players union and have them contest the voiding of his guarantees.

 

[Primus Porcus]

Yea, a lot of the interest in Aiyuk is because you can get him on a 1 year prove it deal with very little liability beyond that. The 7th isn't the issue, the money in 2026 isn't even the problem with a $14m cap hit, it's 2027 @ $41.4m / Dead cap of $21.2m and 2028 @ $43M / Dead cap of $12.9m

There's no way his camp would re-negotiate his deal all the way down to 1 year @ $8m, or whatever actual prove it deal that he would get.

 

[skinsinparadise]

I want them to surround Daniels with a great supporting cast too. And I didn't like the plan for WR either. I actually really didn't like the plan for TE either. I was screaming they needed a guy who could stretch the middle of the field to help the running game and spread the defense. RB, eh, I didn't care as much. But I'd be happy to never run the ball. (That's an exaggeration)

It's really possible that Peters learned a tough lesson. If you look at his history, he grew up in the Pats, Denver and SF organizations.

The Pats never went big to get weapons for Brady, except Moss, who everybody thought was washed up. They traded a 4th to get Moss. Ironically, the best weapon Brady ever had, the Brady/Moss combo never won a SB. Got close and lost to the Giants. The other weapon of note was Gronk. Who was a second round draft pick. They had guys like Edleman (7th round), Wes Welker (undrafted), etc. who Brady made into all-pros.

SF seems to always have weapons, but they seem to get them and develop them. Except for McCaffery, who they traded for to put them over the top. Deebo was a second round pick who exploded. Aiyuk was a late first. Jennings was a 7th rounder. Those are the receivers with the most receiving yards in the last 7 years.

I think it's possible Peters' upbringing tells him you don't have to spend a ton on weapons because either Brady or Kyle basically showed him you don't have to.

And in 2024, they didn't spend big for weapons, and they got to the NFC Championship game with Terry, combination of Noah Brown, Diyami Brown, OZ and Ertz as the primary targets in the passing game.

Then 2025 happened.

And he's immediately adjusted.

And I think that's a really positive sign.

I expected a bounce back off season from Peters and said in the throes of the misery of the 2025 season.

I just don't like the idea of lets say Caleb Williams thinking to himself thankfully he ended up in Chicago versus Washington -- in Chicago they gave him arguably a top 5 play caller as HC, the talent of multiple #1's at WR and TE, built the O line, too. Left no stone unturned. Versus Washington playing with a defensive head coach, first time play caller who hopes to be someday as good as Caleb's playcaller, with a 31 year old WR who might be breaking down and a bunch of fliers at that position. Now that's me bringing home the point was some drama. But some can see it this way.

I don't want Washington to be the team among others with young QBs, to be the one that sucks to go to. I want that narrative to change. I suspect it will. Peters has at least showed the mindset that he's on it.

SF drafted Deebo #1, Aiyuk #1, Pearsall #1. That's three #1 picks for receivers over the years. And added McCaffrey for a #1 and change.

Peters when hired said he learns more from his mistakes than success. to his credit he acknowleged in his press conference he learned from his actions at WR last year. Keim said in a podcast that last off season talking to people with the team they knew they were taking a chance on WR and Edge.

So I believe lesson learned. Will see. I think FA has gone great. Save WR. But at least they were swinging for WR.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

We aren't giving him anything. We drafted Bill in the 7th round. Brady was drafted in the 7th. Their own Purdy was drafted in the 7th. I'm not giving up anything for him. They will release him at some point. We can just draft a WR either way.

The issue is not the 7th. I'd give up a 7th. Truly don't care about a 7th.

The problem is you inherit the contract. So you have to renegotiate the contract BEFORE you do the trade. And that's going to be tough.

That's why nobody is going to give up a 7th. Or, if there was a 14th round, 14th round pick.

It has nothing to do with the pick. It has everything to do with the contract you are inheriting.

It would be much easier for any team to negotiate a new deal with Aiyuk rather than have the current contract as a backdrop. His current contract is:

I'm not sure how you even manage this with league rules. He'd have to essentially void his 2027 and 2028 years entirely, add some money to 2026, remove all future roster bonuses, etc.

No earthly idea how all that happens. Nobody is inheriting this contract.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Good luck, San Fran, you’re gonna need it. A seventh rounder is no big deal but nobody is going to want all that baggage and have to pay him that contract. If he was even close to worth it, San Fran would just keep him anyway rather than take the cap hit for letting him go.

We should wait it out, even if it means accepting that we may not be able to fix WR2 until next year. Perhaps one of our young guys steps up, or another opportunity presents itself. Plus there’s still Jennings possibly.

The good news is, when they eventually have no choice but to drop him, we know that he very much wants to come play here.

I think the SB window is still here now. I don't care right now about 2027. IMO they need to fix WR now.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

Just give them a fucking 7th and renegotiate the contract. I’d rather have the house I want for an extra $10,000 than the house I didn’t, for the savings. A 7th is almost nothing. Get him here. In time for OTA’s, to install the new offense, and bring back the Jayden of ‘24.

The damage of getting a guy like Aiyuk here in August, instead of April, is worse than the value of a 7th. At least for this team, trying to rehab Jayden, with the need to be relevant again, this year.

Edit: At this point, Aiyuk should go back to the players union and have them contest the voiding of his guarantees.

I just don't think it's going to be easy to renegotiate that contract. And you HAVE to do it before executing the trade, like it has to be signed as part of the trade, or else he can just renege and you're stuck with the original contract.

With a contract of that size and complexity, I'm not sure how you even pull it off.

 

[Primus Porcus]

I think the SB window is still here now. I don't care right now about 2027. IMO they need to fix WR now.

Not at that level of risk for Aiyuk though. That's a massive risk for a guy who, justified, indifferent, or not, has already shown he can reach a level where he will forfeit playing to prove a point. His cap number is $40M+ in 2027 and 2028

 

[ES1974]

I thought a trade would negate the ability to use the June 1st classification for cap purposes.

 

[HTTR]

I think the SB window is still here now. I don't care right now about 2027. IMO they need to fix WR now.

We would all like that, but would you trade a seventh for Aiyuk and his current contract?