The 2026 Free Agency Thread

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.
Deebo was an early second. Pick 36. Not that it matters much. Aiyuk was a late first (25), and Persall was #31. And Persall hasn't actually done much of anything.

Peters spent a third rounder on a WR his first draft, and a 4th on a WR in second year, and a second on what we thought was a pass catching TE.

I think it's important to remember, he's only had 2 drafts. So, after using his first round pick to select Daniels, he had one more, which they used on Connerly. Which wasn't a bad pick, because they also had to fix the OL.

I agree, he needs to be more aggressive. But they really weren't THAT aggressive in SF at weapons. He might pick a WR in the first this year, and might again next year.

We'll see. I think we're in agreement they have failed to build the WR room. I'd say the same with the TE and RB rooms. TE seems to be mostly fixed for now. RB still needs some work but better than last year. WR is a complete work in progress because they had a bad plan last year which somewhat predictably blew up in their faces, and they struck out with the top 2 WRs in FA.
 
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

I am not referring to the Aiyuk part of the point but the part that goes we can fix the #2 2027 WR spot in 2027 if need be.
 
No trade for Aiyuk.

The only thing that leveraged thinking he could come here was the control factor re salary to ensure he behaves.

Negotiating off a $26M guarantee for Sept 1?

Good luck with that and anticipating his reaction.

I am sure taking money from his deal will really get the best out of him 😳
 
Deebo was an early second. Pick 36. Not that it matters much. Aiyuk was a late first (25), and Persall was #31. And Persall hasn't actually done much of anything.

Peters spent a third rounder on a WR his first draft, and a 4th on a WR in second year, and a second on what we thought was a pass catching TE.

I think it's important to remember, he's only had 2 drafts. So, after using his first round pick to select Daniels, he had one more, which they used on Connerly. Which wasn't a bad pick, because they also had to fix the OL.

I agree, he needs to be more aggressive. But they really weren't THAT aggressive in SF at weapons. He might pick a WR in the first this year, and might again next year.

We'll see. I think we're in agreement they have failed to build the WR room. I'd say the same with the TE and RB rooms. TE seems to be mostly fixed for now. RB still needs some work but better than last year. WR is a complete work in progress because they had a bad plan last year which somewhat predictably blew up in their faces, and they struck out with the top 2 WRs in FA.

You are right, but super early 2nd round versus first close enough. The point wasn't about production with Pearsall but draft capital.

Taking Aiyuk in the first and then not too many drafts later taking Persall, trading McCaffrey in that similar timeline for 4 picks, including a 2nd. Is pretty darn aggressive.
 
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:

View attachment 14371

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.
I know. That's why I said that they will release him at some point. I'm just speaking on their request but they have to release him anyways
 
I am not referring to the Aiyuk part of the point but the part that goes we can fix the #2 2027 WR spot in 2027 if need be.
I agree, the #2 WR has to be fixed for 2026.

In my mind the only options left are:
1. Signing Aiyuk and it works out.
2. Drafting a guy at #7 and it works out
3. Some trade for a #2 WR which nobody is expecting or reporting, completely out of left field
4. Burks miraculously becomes that guy

Signing Deebo doesn't solve WR#2. But as a last resort, you could sign him, then put him in the slot and rotate Burks/DBrown/etc. on the outside and try and make do. Would it work? Don't know. Might depend on how good an OC Blough is.

I think they will try and do #1 and #2 above. I'd be fine with that.

No guarantee, but it's at least another swing.
 
You are right, but super early 2nd round versus first close enough. The point wasn't about production with Pearsall but draft capital.

Taking Aiyuk in the first and then not too many drafts later taking Persall, trading McCaffrey in that similar timeline for 4 picks, including a 2nd. Is pretty darn aggressive.
Don't disagree, I do think it takes some time to get there though. That group has been together for a long time and had many drafts.

Peters has had 2, and had to rebuild the entire roster.

The Lattimore trade blew up pretty spectacularly and impacted what they could do in the draft last year.

Peters has had one 1st round pick other than Daniels. It went to a tackle. Who looks like he's going to be really good.
 
Out of interest, for those who want us to go for Jennings, what kind of deal do you think he is worth, based on the WR market so far in FA ?
 
I agree, the #2 WR has to be fixed for 2026.

In my mind the only options left are:
1. Signing Aiyuk and it works out.
2. Drafting a guy at #7 and it works out
3. Some trade for a #2 WR which nobody is expecting or reporting, completely out of left field
4. Burks miraculously becomes that guy

Signing Deebo doesn't solve WR#2. But as a last resort, you could sign him, then put him in the slot and rotate Burks/DBrown/etc. on the outside and try and make do. Would it work? Don't know. Might depend on how good an OC Blough is.

I think they will try and do #1 and #2 above. I'd be fine with that.

No guarantee, but it's at least another swing.

I think Jennings would do it. He's sort of IMO is the read deal versus the fantasy of who they hoped Noah Brown to be. Baller-red zone target-elite run blocker. He can get banged up, too but not to the same extent as Noah.

If its Aiyuk IMO they need to draft a WR in the first or third.

I don't mind fliers like Burks, McCaffrey, etc but I don't want to depend on them
 
Don't disagree, I do think it takes some time to get there though. That group has been together for a long time and had many drafts.

Peters has had 2, and had to rebuild the entire roster.

The Lattimore trade blew up pretty spectacularly and impacted what they could do in the draft last year.

Peters has had one 1st round pick other than Daniels. It went to a tackle. Who looks like he's going to be really good.

My bar was pretty low for Peters to meet for WR last year. You don't draft a guy early -- fine. You don't sign a big name FA WR -- fine. But don't back up fliers at that spot with street FAs. Sign a Keenan Allen, etc. You don't have to go crazy.

Like they are doing now in the right way, Von Jefferson and Dyami aren't hot but if you got them backing Terry and Noah the bottom isn't going to fall out.

Peters set up a glass house version of the WR corp. And left a bolder right in front of it that would easily break that glass into pieces.

Heck even Field Yates, who if I recall worked with Peters and is a fan of his, Peters did a rare interview with Yates last year -- Yates goes when he picked Tate for this team at 7 that the WR corp on that team was unacceptable and full of street FAs.
 
Maybe we are in on AJ Brown…..you could just see Philly sat picking #7…..
 
I think Jennings would do it. He's sort of IMO is the read deal versus the fantasy of who they hoped Noah Brown to be. Baller-red zone target-elite run blocker. He can get banged up, too but not to the same extent as Noah.

If its Aiyuk IMO they need to draft a WR in the first or third.

I don't mind fliers like Burks, McCaffrey, etc but I don't want to depend on them



Bottom line, Aiyuk has to be a luxury investment, not something you're depending on. Aiyuk can't be the answer to any question... which is why the numbers dont work in the trade scenario.
 
Absolutely no chance they trade him within the division - or that we give up what I assume they would want in a trade.
Wouldn’t be so sure based on previous between the GMs. Anything might be possible. I think teams are now more focused on getting value, or what they want/need, over every other factor.
 
Wouldn’t be so sure based on previous between the GMs. Anything might be possible. I think teams are now more focused on getting value, or what they want/need, over every other factor.
Don’t think we have the assets (or the will) to make that trade and I really don’t think the Eagles would pull the trigger. Draft is where we get the #2 WR IMO.
 

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