The 2026 Free Agency Thread

[Conn]

Lynch sounds desperate (and he is bc local media there is FINALLY putting a microscope on their poor drafting over the last decade, so he’s testy and defiant during this presser)

 

[Conn]

You can’t give up any picks for him, especially in this situation. Folding here is a tell to other FOs that AP is a guy who folds in a negotiation

Yeah the 49ers have zero leverage over us and Aiyuk does not want to play for anyone but us. WE have the leverage. I let that dude’s career die before I trade even a 2028 7th for the right to renegotiate his contract (which I also don’t want to do—I want to sign him off the street while Lynch whimpers)

 

[Riggo44]

I disagree with the screaming idiot.

I am so happy to see people calling Russell the Screaming Idiot (TM), as I coined that phrase way back on ES.

In standard Russell fashion, he is pole vaulting over rabbit turds. Keim, among others, has repeatedly said they are not counting on Aiyuk at all. He would be a one-year flyer anyway, probably no guarantees. There is absolutely nothing new in the video to any one paying attention. Russell is just trying to rile up his moronic fanbase.

 

[prodigy]

We need to sign to sign two WR. There are more CB available then I thought. These players are mostly washed and expensive but we were short picks. Probably one year deals.

Maybe both Diggs brothers for one year and anothrr Wr.

I'm out on both diggs. the DB diggs...he sucks. stefon has too many legal troubles and I don't want his toxic ass on the team. someone suggested Keenan Allen. I'd rather have Keenan for an additional veteran in the room that can teach the young ones the right way we to be a pro.

 

[HTTR]

I’ve been in favor of acquiring Aiyuk since day one when these rumors started. But I’m feeling less and less like it’s going to work out well for us. At this point, I think I’m just done with it.

Put me in the camp of let’s go get Jennings. We’ve got the cap room burning a hole in our pocket and I really like the idea of him being a great blocker downfield. I don’t think we need that spot to be a prolific pass catcher necessarily, just reliable, which he is.

Keenan Allen is my back up plan. He would bring reliability, leadership, and stability as a one year stop gap until we see what other options become available next year.

As for Aiyuk I say let San Fran soak in the stew they’ve created. If/when they finally decide to cut ties we can revisit at that point, but as it stands now, I’ve lost my enthusiasm for him.

 

[prodigy]

As for Aiyuk I say let San Fran soak in the stew they’ve created. If/when they finally decide to cut ties we can revisit at that point, but as it stands now, I’ve lost my enthusiasm for him.

yep, don't bail them out. if anything, treat aiyuk like a mid-season playoff run addition.

 

[Dlts20]

I'm also sick of the way these leading media guys are reporting this story. They are always saying things like "it seems SF truly believes that they really can get something in return for him and dont want to give him away for nothing".

No tf they don't. This is just their way of legally and morally being petty a-holes without getting in trouble or having it look bad against them and this naive reporting is helping them do it by acting like it's a genuine claim when it's clearly not. They know that no one is going to trade for that contract.

I would rather SF stop addressing it at all instead of trying to play in our faces like we are dumb but again, the media is allowing them to get away with it. They are even putting our name in it and saying that SF really believes that they can get a pick from Washington.

The other thing that bothers me is you can tell that for the most part AP is genuineluly a soft spoken, good dude, and it's coming off to me like Lynch is trying to big bro him or bully him when AP clearly looks up to him and feels a little indebted to him.

Lynch is taking advantage of his pupil and it's not cool. Again, he's almost acting like he feels like we had something to do with this. Like we tampered and put things in his head about coming to us even before things went bad in SF..........?

 

[ES1974]

I think I’m over Aiyuk too.

Trade multiple picks for BTJ and be done with it. He’s done in Jax.

 

[Dlts20]

See, I feel the exact opposite. They still feel like this dude is toxic and don't want him around. They have moved on. They have young receivers and SB aspirations. I don't think that they want him anywhere near camp and will either release him before or try to send him home.

That's why I feel like Aiyuk should be present now. Don't wait for camp. Show up to the facility on the regular and make them send you home for no reason until the NFLPA gets involved. Make them look like the bad guy

 

[Bulldog]

I'm also sick of the way these leading media guys are reporting this story. They are always saying things like "it seems SF truly believes that they really can get something in return for him and dont want to give him away for nothing".

No tf they don't. This is just their way of legally and morally being petty a-holes without getting in trouble or looking bad against them and this naive reporting is helping them do it by acting like it's a genuine claim when it's clearly not. They know that no one is going to trade for that contract.

I would rather they stop addressing it at all instead of trying to play in our faces like we are dumb but again, the media is allowing them to get away with it. They are even putting our name in it and saying that SF really believes that they can get a pick from Washington.

The other thing that bothers me is you can tell that for the most part AP is genuineluly a soft spoken, good dude, and it's coming off to me like Lynch is trying to big bro him or bully him when AP clearly looks up to him and feels a little indebted to him.

Lynch is taking advantage of his pupil and it's not cool. Again, he's almost acting like he feels like we had something to do with this. Like we tampered and put things in his head about coming to us even before things went bad in SF..........?

A 7th round draft pick hardly makes Lynch and the 49ers look redeemed in the first place.

When I hear a GM talk about a guy they used a #1 pick on moving him out for a #7 the first thing I think is he mismanaged his asset.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

Like Voice_of_Reason who never misses an opportunity to shit on ‘media’ members…I will never miss one to shit on the Lattimore trade.😉

I appreciate you acknowledging my disability.

 

[heisenberg]

I think I’m over Aiyuk too.

Trade multiple picks for BTJ and be done with it. He’s done in Jax.

Im so torn on how to feel about BTJ and whether or not id want to trade good assets for him.

On the one hand he had a phenomenal rookie year and has a good rapport with jayden.

On another he seems to have fallen out of favor with Jacksonville and I'd love to know why.

On another Jacksonville has made some very head scratching moves lately and maybe this is another one.

On another they were a pretty damn good team last year so maybe their moves are 3d chess level genius.

 

[HTTR]

I appreciate you acknowledging my disability.

I don’t see that as a disability. More like a super power. The media can’t be bashed enough!

 

[prodigy]

See, I feel the exact opposite. They still feel like this dude is toxic and don't want him around. They have moved on. They have young receivers and SB aspirations. I don't think that they want him anywhere near camp and will either release him before or try to send him home.

That's why I feel like Aiyuk should be present now. Don't wait for camp. Show up to the facility on the regular and make them send you home for no reason. Make them look like the bad guy

we survived with Robbie Chosen, Tay Martin, Chris Moore, and River Cracraft seeing regular season snaps. we have better depth now with more veteran options we can add before the 53 man roster cuts. we'll be fine. we can wait the 49ers out. we are in a stronger position than last year.

 

[HTTR]

Im so torn on how to feel about BTJ and whether or not id want to trade good assets for him.

On the one hand he had a phenomenal rookie year and has a good rapport with jayden.

On another he seems to have fallen out of favor with Jacksonville and I'd love to know why.

On another Jacksonville has made some very head scratching moves lately and maybe this is another one.

On another they were a pretty damn good team last year so maybe their moves are 3d chess level genius.

For me, that’s too many maybes to give up valuable draft assets. If they are giving him away for a late pick then sure I’m in. But if that was the case, I suspect a trade would’ve already occurred. I’d really love to go into next year‘s draft with a full slate of picks. Jennings can be had for just money which we have plenty of to use.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

Yeah the 49ers have zero leverage over us and Aiyuk does not want to play for anyone but us. WE have the leverage. I let that dude’s career die before I trade even a 2028 7th for the right to renegotiate his contract (which I also don’t want to do—I want to sign him off the street while Lynch whimpers.

Unless they find a way around paying him the bonus in September, he will be released then.

Put him on the PS and see what happens.

If they somehow just keep him forever, then that’s just too bad for him.

 

[Dlts20]

we survived with Robbie Chosen, Tay Martin, Chris Moore, and River Cracraft seeing regular season snaps. we have better depth now with more veteran options we can add before the 53 man roster cuts. we'll be fine. we can wait the 49ers out. we are in a stronger position than last year.

We didn't survive. That was the worst receiving unit in the NFL last season and it hurt us a lot. Guys couldn't get open or be trusted to run the correct routes. Things look better because of Terry but if he goes down then we are in deep trouble again, as it stands now

 

[Bulldog]

Brian Thomas Jr. rumors just won’t go away.

These keep hitting the media, the only thing I can think is that he wants out and his agent is salting some stories to poke the team.

 

[Anselmheifer]

I now believe (thank god) that barring injury, Van Jefferson does not have a shot at this roster. Which makes him good veteran fodder for training camp, someone who knows how to work and can be a good baseline JAG for the younger guys to compete against and beat out. You need a couple of those guys in camp.

If Aiyuk is added at a later date, someone else’s roster spot may be in danger. Especially since this crew will want to keep 4 RB’s likely, and potentially 4 TE’s.

I currently see it, in regards to roster safety, as:

Terry
Williams
McCaffrey
Lane
Dyami
Burks

Add Aiyuk and it’s 7. Non-zero chance one of these guys above (or Aiyuk) gets nicked up and starts on IR or PUP.

The LSU UDFA feels like a good bet for the PS if he flashes at all in preseason, he’s a knucklehead with consistency issues so he can show growth or GTFO in future years. Van Jefferson as a vet presence on the PS who can be elevated if needed due to injuries feels like a lock as well, if he makes it through preseason healthy.

That’s how I see it too, and I think Aiyuk knocks off Burks.

I think Lane is safe. It’s hard to replace a guy that had 2 punt returns for TD’s the year prior. And I could still see him developing as a receiver.

I honestly at this point might bring back Deebo and if Aiyuk ever gets released, fine. But I wouldn’t just sit and wait.

Terry, Williams, and Deebo would be a quite complementary trio, I think.

 

[Bulldog]

Still don’t like the player. I think he’s a flake and obviously someone that loves drama.

Remember him on social media before he got a new contract talking about his best friend Daniels and how much fun it would be to play with him someday.

He was classless from the start crying about not being appreciated, he was like a 12 year old.