The 2026 Free Agency Thread

[heisenberg]

It's so unclear. But teams also use that list for when guys retire? It's not like teams have to do that every year for every retired person that still had a contract ongoing right? So it's confusing.

It is confusing as hell and I dont know how most of it works either I just go mostly by what would make sense.

I wish someone who does know would clarify all the little details.

 

[Discobob]

So he just reports and forces their hand. If he even wants to play at all that is.

If he shows up and starts doing interviews... the gig is up for SF... that's gonna become a media circus overnight

 

[gbear2]

Why do people keep acting like san fran is going to hold on to Brandon Aiyuk till sept 1st to avoid paying him? I will be shocked if they hold on to him past August 25th when they have to cut their roster to their final roster size fir the season. You mean you think they will cut somebody they want on the team to keep him for a couple more days? I suspect it is just lazy to think the roster bonus money is the only reason he will be cut.

 

[Dlts20]

Ben Johnson last year had all 3 receiving spots with similar numbers so you rather not have the decoy if you have the talent. The decoy is just out of necessity

 

[skinsinparadise]

Another team going all in to help their young QB

 

[Conn]

Why do people keep acting like san fran is going to hold on to Brandon Aiyuk till sept 1st to avoid paying him? I will be shocked if they hold on to him past August 25th when they have to cut their roster to their final roster size fir the season. You mean you think they will cut somebody they want on the team to keep him for a couple more days? I suspect it is just lazy to think the roster bonus money is the only reason he will be cut.

You’re right, that extra week is going to make a huge difference to us

 

[Dah-Dee]

It's so unclear. But teams also use that list for when guys retire? It's not like teams have to do that every year for every retired person that still had a contract ongoing right? So it's confusing.

It really is confusing. I *think* the retired list is a separate category of 'reserve'/whatever, and the 'did not report/left team' list has its own rules. But that whole area seems very fuzzy.

 

[Discobob]

Why do people keep acting like san fran is going to hold on to Brandon Aiyuk till sept 1st to avoid paying him? I will be shocked if they hold on to him past August 25th when they have to cut their roster to their final roster size fir the season. You mean you think they will cut somebody they want on the team to keep him for a couple more days? I suspect it is just lazy to think the roster bonus money is the only reason he will be cut.

I mean, he'd need to show up to TC to force their hand regarding the active roster. If he just sits at home, he goes on the DNR list.

So technically, he will have to show up at some point to force their hand if they plan on riding this thing to the absolute end. I doubt that happens, because it becomes instant distraction, they probably cut bait before then.

 

[Discobob]

Aiyuk after they cut him...

 

[Always Commander Never Captain]

Why do people keep acting like san fran is going to hold on to Brandon Aiyuk till sept 1st to avoid paying him? I will be shocked if they hold on to him past August 25th when they have to cut their roster to their final roster size fir the season. You mean you think they will cut somebody they want on the team to keep him for a couple more days? I suspect it is just lazy to think the roster bonus money is the only reason he will be cut.

If he's on the Reserve/DNR list, then that doesn't matter. He would not count against the roster.

 

[KDawg]

I recall Newmark said in his presser that they will take some time to decompress (my words, not his) and then this week regroup and look at what else they need to do with their roster.

I am hoping they don't take too much time doing this because it seems like other teams are ready to pounce and are doing so.

Decompressing in the most important time of the year for a football franchise to be built/finalized is a choice.

 

[KDawg]

If he's on the Reserve/DNR list, then that doesn't matter. He would not count against the roster.

Also, assuming they cut him before the final roster deadline because he reports to camp and plays the good soldier…

I mean - that’s the final roster deadline. Why would we now want to bring in a guy who likely hasn’t practiced and doesnt know our system a week before our first game?

I think again, we are talking ourselves in circles here so let’s stick to facts:

1) Brandon Aiyuk is a San Francisco 49er and under contract currently for this season

2) We need a receiver.

3) San Fran doesn’t HAVE to cut him.

That’s it: those are the facts. Everything else is speculation.

I know that I sure as hell wouldn’t be throwing any eggs into the Aiyuk hat. If he is released sooner I’d talk to him and likely even sign him at this point assuming all is well.

But until that happens he doesn’t exist.

 

[Always Commander Never Captain]

It's been 6 months since anybody related to football, personal trainer, personal coaches, whoever have even been able to talk to him.

The rumors about what is going on with Aiyuk are all over the place. Nobody knows anything about his physical or mental states. All we know is that he doesn't want to play football ever again for the 49ers. Unfortunately it is also unclear if he wants to play football ever again for anyone else either.

 

[DWinzit]

Also, assuming they cut him before the final roster deadline because he reports to camp and plays the good soldier…

I mean - that’s the final roster deadline. Why would we now want to bring in a guy who likely hasn’t practiced and doesnt know our system a week before our first game?

I think again, we are talking ourselves in circles here so let’s stick to facts:

1) Brandon Aiyuk is a San Francisco 49er and under contract currently for this season

2) We need a receiver.

3) San Fran doesn’t HAVE to cut him.

That’s it: those are the facts. Everything else is speculation.

I know that I sure as hell wouldn’t be throwing any eggs into the Aiyuk hat. If he is released sooner I’d talk to him and likely even sign him at this point assuming all is well.

But until that happens he doesn’t exist.

Exactly!

So it's time to move on.

AP, bring us WR2 not named Aiyuk and be very careful with the 2027 draft picks!

 

[HailYeah]

9er karma for getting handed Trent Williams. Maybe Aiyuk shows up and his helmet doesn’t fit.

 

[HTTR]

• 9 TDs last year
• Good size at 6’3”
• In his prime at age 28
• Great blocker
• #1 remaining FA at any position
• And we have all that cap space

 

[Riggo44]

Agreed on Miami. I’d take the Bills over us - they don’t have a Terry level guy (Moore is a notch or two below Terry for me) but they have more proven production outside of DJ Moore although a lot depends on Keon Coleman developing.

So I would say we are ahead of maybe the Raiders and Miami on receiver room. Thats it.

The Bills benched Coleman multiple times last year.

Who are Cleveland's receivers?
Who do the Ravens have after Zau Flowers?
Isn't Atlantas #2 right now Olamide Zacchaeus?
Colts have Alec Pierce and...Daniel Jones coming off an injury
Chiefs receivers are a bunch of JAGs
9ers top receiver from last year is currently unsigned and no one wants.

A lot of teams have questions at receiver.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

• 9 TDs last year
• Good size at 6’3”
• In his prime at age 28
• Great blocker
• #1 remaining FA at any position
• And we have all that cap space

View attachment 14826

It’s really possible he wants more than Terry is making and you can’t do that 1) because he’s not worth it and 2) because you’ll create a Terry problem.

I don’t think they want him. If they really wanted him they would have gone after him by now.

The fact he’s still out there indicates he isn’t as good as he thinks he is and the league has passed judgement that he’s probably not as good as fans think also.

 

[MartinC]

The Bills benched Coleman multiple times last year.

Who are Cleveland's receivers?

Jerry Juedy and then they used a 1st round pick on Concepcion and a 2nd round pick on Denzel Boston. They have really invested in the position this draft. And they have Fanin at TE.

Who do the Ravens have after Zau Flowers?

Fair. Bateman is a 2021 first round pick who still has not shown the production they’d like but they also have Mark Andrew’s at TE.

Isn't Atlantas #2 right now Olamide Zacchaeus?
Colts have Alec Pierce and...Daniel Jones coming off an injury
Chiefs receivers are a bunch of JAGs
9ers top receiver from last year is currently unsigned and no one wants.

A lot of teams have questions at receiver.

Yeah. But we are part of that group and after Terry we really don’t have anyone who you could really say we can depend on for 50ish and 500. Chig at TE should be good for that and maybe a bit more and we are going to have to get catches from the backs and hope Williams can be productive out of the gate.

 

[MartinC]

It’s really possible he wants more than Terry is making and you can’t do that 1) because he’s not worth it and 2) because you’ll create a Terry problem.

I don’t think they want him. If they really wanted him they would have gone after him by now.

The fact he’s still out there indicates he isn’t as good as he thinks he is and the league has passed judgement that he’s probably not as good as fans think also.

He’s visiting with the Vikings this week, suspect they sign him and it will be interesting to see what he signs for.