The 2026 Free Agency Thread

[skinsinparadise]

But that offensive group is exactly what made the plan go so poorly.

The entire offseason, the team's argument for not paying Terry was that he's getting old and with age, he's not going be the same player he once was. They doubled down on that by refusing to give in, and they could not have been more right about it.

Noah Brown was an injury prone WR who did what he did for more than half his career: He got injured.

Deebo was a good pick, I am okay with him. He was the only reliable receiver over the whole season.

Ertz was old, and unfortunately, he continued to age.

Ekler was awesome the year before, but again, getting old.

Relying on an injury prone WR to not get injured was a terrible choice. Relying on Ertz to not age, McLauren to not do what they spent the entire offseason arguing he would do, and no backup plan for a pass catching Ekler was also a bad choice. They should have forseen that any one of those 3 variables would turn out badly, and tried to patch the hole.

They have done better by replacing Ertz with Chig, but no backup plan behind him besides hoping that Sinnott won't be so awful this season. They replaced the RB room, excelllent. They replaced the only healthy reliable receiver that Deebo was. And that's it. If Terry goes down, the WR corps is down to a rookie and some players who hope they might be as good as the rookie. God forbid Chig is out for a few games.

The idea that Terry at 31, will play like peak Terry to your point is the opposite of what this FO felt last summer hence the tense negotiation.

So 30 plus year old WRs tend to be more injury prone and heal slower and decline. So Terry does exactly that last year at 30. but count on better times at 31? it's possible but what if it doesn't go down?

They got rid of their two most productive receivers last year and replaced them with younger players -- one with basically identical production to Ertz and the other being a rookie and a complete unknown.

This is the last team, if I had to pick one who can afford to not have a legiit #2 WR. If Terry is out, it can be almost as bad as 2025 if this remains the WR room.

It's not as bad because Dyami > Chosen-Moore. So the floor is higher. But the ceiling could potentially be even lower than 2025 let alone lets bank on it being higher.

I love Antonio Williams, but I am not counting on him to match or exceed Deebo in his rookie year.

 

[Primus Porcus]

But that offensive group is exactly what made the plan go so poorly.

The entire offseason, the team's argument for not paying Terry was that he's getting old and with age, he's not going be the same player he once was. They doubled down on that by refusing to give in, and they could not have been more right about it.

Noah Brown was an injury prone WR who did what he did for more than half his career aside from his one season with us: He got injured.

Deebo was a good pick, I am okay with him. He was the only reliable receiver over the whole season.

Ertz was old, and unfortunately, he continued to age.

Ekler was awesome the year before, but again, getting old.

Relying on an injury prone WR to not get injured was a terrible choice. Relying on Ertz to not age, McLauren to not do what they spent the entire offseason arguing he would do, and no backup plan for a pass catching Ekler was also a bad choice.

They have done better by replacing Ertz with Chig, but no backup plan behind him besides hoping that Sinnott won't be so awful this season. They replaced the RB room, excelllent. They replaced the only healthy reliable receiver that Deebo was. And that's it. If Terry goes down, the WR corps is down to a rookie and some players who hope they might be as good as the rookie. God forbid Chig is out for a few games.

I agree with the premise that there weren’t a ton of great options at WR in free agency—but I take that point in a very different direction.

Conn laid it out well: reading the tea leaves, they misplayed the WR market. They took swings on higher-end targets, those didn’t land, and while they were waiting, the next tier of options got scooped up. That’s not bad luck—that’s misplaying the FA game.

And yeah, I’m not pounding the table for guys like Rashid Shaheed or Jalen Nailor as exciting WR2 solutions. But if you told me the outcome was walking away with Van Jefferson and Dyami Brown as complementary pieces? I’d take that in a second over where they ended up. If the market is scarce factor that in your dealings IMO.

Same with the veteran tier, the previous seasson—Stefon Diggs, Davante Adams, even Keenan Allen. None of those moves are long-term home runs at this stage, but they’re still a clear upgrade over rolling into the season with an injured Noah Brown as your starting Z. That’s just raising the floor—and right now, the floor matters.

And if the argument is “we didn’t love the free agent class,” fine—then attack it in the draft. Use a first- or second-round pick at WR. Do it once if FA isn't going to be their bag at WR.

Look at the Chicago Bears—they relentlessly stack pass-catchers. WR, TE, over and over. Meanwhile, we’re celebrating a third-round receiver like it’s some big investment. For them, that’s a bonus pick. They took a WR in the third and a TE.

Their “extra gravy” moves at those positions are more aggressive than our primary strategy. And when you’re building around a young QB, that difference in approach can add up fast.

Or lets throw all of this out the window. And focus on it this way. There aren't too many teams that don't have a legit #2 WR. This team is one of the rare ones without one. So is three years asking for too much for Peters to land a measley #2? Some of the players you aren't high on, would still easily be a legit #2.

Diggs got $21M per year at the age of 31 less than 8 months after he tore his ACL. If Noah Brown should be dismissed, then betting WR2 money on a guy whos North of 30 AND coming off a major injury would be foolish.
Adams was always going to the Rams. It was the worst kept secret in the history of free agency after he got cut by the Jets.

Keenan Allen is a name i do find myself wondering. At this point I wouldn't hate bringing him here now... so yeah, don't hate that idea.

Maybe I'm not making sense.

I do still believe that the WR room is not good enough.

My point is, that what would you rather they have done? It's just not there. They went hard at the 2 best WRs of this class, and got passed up. The next tier down was not exactly biting at the heels of those guys (as you mentioned SIP).

 

[skinsinparadise]

Diggs got $21M per year at the age of 31 less than 8 months after he tore his ACL. If Noah Brown should be dismissed, then betting WR2 money on a guy whos North of 30 AND coming off a major injury would be foolish.
Adams was always going to the Rams. It was the worst kept secret in the history of free agency after he got cut by the Jets.

Keenan Allen is a name i do find myself wondering. At this point I wouldn't hate bringing him here now... so yeah, don't hate that idea.

Maybe I'm not making sense.

I do still believe that the WR room is not good enough.

My point is, that what would you rather they have done? It's just not there. They went hard at the 2 best WRs of this class, and got passed up. The next tier down was not exactly biting at the heels of those guys (as you mentioned SIP).

I'll bring this to a lower bar. Let's go to last summer, when often injured Noah Brown was injured again and missing camp without an immediate return date. Terry is holding out. They got a bunch of no names left. Why not sign Kennan Allen? Why leave things to chance?

When all of this bleeds into the season, don't let the 49ers outbid you for Bourne.

To Peters credit he admitted he made a mistake for not hitting on a WR during the season.

I am not wild about how they played FA at WR this year so far.

I am not wild listening to Logan-Grant talk about on their podcast, that yeah it might not look hot as to specific players at WR but Blough's scheme should help them transcend it. Really, lol, the rookie coordindator will transcend the talent on the roster? they later added a disclaimer on it but the whole conversation made me cringe even though I love their podcast. It made me cringe because I don't like betting on hope like that.

I love how Peters attacked edge this off season -- its stacking talent and leaving nothing to chance. That's a mindset. He was leaving nothing to chance. You can manage more than one spot like that an off season.

I am tired of them not stacking talent at WR, and leaving a lot to chance. It blew up on them last season and it could blow up on them again.

 

[Primus Porcus]

I'll bring this to a lower bar. Let's go to last summer, when often injured Noah Brown was injured again and missing camp without an immediate return date. Terry is holding out. They got a bunch of no names left. Why not sign Kennan Allen? Why leave things to chance?

When all of this bleeds into the season, don't let the 49ers outbid you for Bourne.

To Peters credit he admitted he made a mistake for not hitting on a WR during the season.

I am not wild about how they played FA at WR this year so far.

I am not wild listening to Logan-Grant talk about on their podcast, that yeah it might not look hot as to specific players at WR but Blough's scheme should help them transcend it. Really, lol, the rookie coordindator will transcend the talent on the roster? they later added a disclaimer on it but the whole conversation made me cringe even though I love their podcast. It made me cringe because I don't like betting on hope like that.

I love how Peters attacked edge this off season -- its stacking talent and leaving nothing to chance. That's a mindset. He was leaving nothing to chance. You can manage more than one spot like that an off season.

I am tired of them not stacking talent at WR, and leaving a lot to chance. It blew up on them last season and it could blow up on them again.

Trust me, I get it... but again I ask. Stack with what? Would we feel better with:

Terry McLaurin
Antonio Williams
Brandin Cooks
Nick Westbrook
Amari Cooper
Dyami Brown

I agree, I would feel a lot different with

Terry McLaurin
Romeo Doubs
Deebo Samuel
Antonio Williams
Treylon Burks
Jaylin Lane / Luke McCaffrey / Dyami Brown / Van Jefferson... Etc

I know you mentioned feeling different about Edge, had Oweh decided to go back to Baltimore, how would feel about it? What could Peters have done differently if he had?

 

[NickyJ]

I never said any of that. I said Peters is getting dismissed for doing more in his first year than other GMs, who have routinely praised, only finally accomplished after years on the job


No it isn't. It's much deeper at RB, and more versatile, we have a younger, more athletic receiving TE, and a younger, healthier WR room, if uninspiring past McLaurin. It's the same formula Paton employed last year, FYI.


Again, a completely false statement. Every aspect of the offense is far better now than it was 2 years ago, except MAYBE receiver, but that's debatable.

Peters' first season isn't getting dismissed. But Peters' GMing job is defined by his whole career here. Not just his first year. Peters got a head start year 1. He squandered that head start in year 2, and I fear that he still isn't going to match his starting pace this season. The other teams started slow, but they are building pace. Some of them will probably fail. But all of them are trying as hard as they can, which I cannot say the same for Peters with the WR and TE rooms he providing this season. The marathon is still going and Peters lost the lead last season and does not appear to put in the effort needed to take it back this season.

The RB room is better. The TE room is a wash, it's still a starting TE and prayers that Sinnott gets his head on straight. The WR room is an older starting WR than last year, a rookie instead of a veteran, and then everyone else who we can at least praise for being albe to run routes this time. The floor is now above ground level. The ceiling has stayed the same or gotten lower and is still threatening to collapse if the 31 year old WR has aged since he was 30. If Jayden still has to play with one playmaking WR, then it will get ugly.

I am on hands and knees begging to please sign a third WR with some of the 50m cap space. Is it really so much to ask? Even on one of those 1 year deals that spares us if the receiver is a dud?

 

[Anselmheifer]

I’d honestly feel a lot better even if all we did was bring back Deebo. I think he could at least be a legit number 2. And for all of the talk about how he isn’t a true outside guy, he’s still miles better than Luke, etc.

 

[DWinzit]

I’d honestly feel a lot better even if all we did was bring back Deebo. I think he could at least be a legit number 2. And for all of the talk about how he isn’t a true outside guy, he’s still miles better than Luke, etc.

Signing just Deebo or Jennings would make things feel a whole hell of a lot better. I have posted prior, just to have signed Jennings instead of Jefferson would have put us in a better WR lane

 

[skinsinparadise]

Trust me, I get it... but again I ask. Stack with what? Would we feel better with:

Terry McLaurin
Antonio Williams
Brandin Cooks
Nick Westbrook
Amari Cooper
Dyami Brown

I agree, I would feel a lot different with

Terry McLaurin
Romeo Doubs
Deebo Samuel
Antonio Williams
Treylon Burks
Jaylin Lane / Luke McCaffrey / Dyami Brown / Van Jefferson... Etc

I know you mentioned feeling different about Edge, had Oweh decided to go back to Baltimore, how would feel about it? What could Peters have done differently if he had?

You’re framing this through the lens of just the second offseason—but this is Year 3. He’s had three full cycles now.

And across those three offseasons, there have been plenty of opportunities to upgrade the WR room—even modestly. Stefon Diggs, Cooper Kupp, Davante Adams, Darius Slayton—none of these are perfect, but every one of them is a clear upgrade over what they were rolling out last year.
Heck, even just outbidding the Bears for Olamide Zaccheaus would have raised the floor.

And that’s the whole point of stacking talent—you don’t leave a position to chance. You don’t operate on “what if this guy stays healthy” or “what if the draft falls our way.” You remove uncertainty.

Look at how they approached edge. That’s what urgency looks like. They didn’t sit there hoping an injured Dorance Armstrong or Deatrich Wise would bounce back. They didn’t say, “maybe we can scheme it up.” They went out and added real bodies—multiple edges, legitimate competition, depth on top of depth—and even layered in more through the draft. Now Armstrong and Wise are extras. That’s how it’s supposed to work.

That’s going to town. That’s stacking talent. And I love it. But that same mindset hasn’t been applied to WR. Not even close. Yes, you can’t fix everything in one offseason. No one is arguing that. But this isn’t one offseason—it’s three. And instead of stacking talent at WR, they haven’t even secured a legitimate No. 2 for Jayden Daniels.

That’s not just falling short of a “no prisoners” approach—that’s the opposite of it.

To your point about Oweh, he was their Plan B. Plan A was Hendrickson but they pivoted fast when it was clear they couldn't get him. If they missed out on him and it was Chaisson and Omenihu, it would be good, not great. But better than what they did at WR.

The spots the've struggled with in the three years have been WR, Edge, CB. They tried hard at CB, thrown their share of resources at it. I can't fault their mindset at that spot, I fault their competence. At edge it took them 3 off seasoons to address it, but love their mindset in addressing it finally, will see about their competence. At WR, you can argue their mindset finally changed in off season 3 but simply swung and missed -- and I agree with Conn they also misplayed the market but it is what it is and the current WR room in off season #3 doesn't still have a legit #2.

Maybe I am confusing the issue with my stacking talent point. This team isn't in that of an advanced conversation about stacking talent at WR -- they aren't hitting the bare minimum at the spot. When you got some national observors saying if they lose Terry, this could be the worst WR room in the history of the NFL -- it brings home that this isn't just about some local fan malcontents giving Peters a hard time for no reason. It's a real narrative.

 

[skinsinparadise]

 

[Primus Porcus]

You’re framing this through the lens of just the second offseason—but this is Year 3. He’s had three full cycles now.

And across those three offseasons, there have been plenty of opportunities to upgrade the WR room—even modestly. Stefon Diggs, Cooper Kupp, Davante Adams, Darius Slayton—none of these are perfect, but every one of them is a clear upgrade over what they were rolling out last year.
Heck, even just outbidding the Bears for Olamide Zaccheaus would have raised the floor.

And that’s the whole point of stacking talent—you don’t leave a position to chance. You don’t operate on “what if this guy stays healthy” or “what if the draft falls our way.” You remove uncertainty.

Look at how they approached edge. That’s what urgency looks like. They didn’t sit there hoping an injured Dorance Armstrong or Deatrich Wise would bounce back. They didn’t say, “maybe we can scheme it up.” They went out and added real bodies—multiple edges, legitimate competition, depth on top of depth—and even layered in more through the draft. Now Armstrong and Wise are extras. That’s how it’s supposed to work.

That’s going to town. That’s stacking talent. And I love it. But that same mindset hasn’t been applied to WR. Not even close. Yes, you can’t fix everything in one offseason. No one is arguing that. But this isn’t one offseason—it’s three. And instead of stacking talent at WR, they haven’t even secured a legitimate No. 2 for Jayden Daniels.

That’s not just falling short of a “no prisoners” approach—that’s the opposite of it.

To your point about Oweh, he was their Plan B. Plan A was Hendrickson but they pivoted fast when it was clear they couldn't get him. If they missed out on him and it was Chaisson and Omenihu, it would be good, not great. But better than what they did at WR.

The spots the've struggled with in the three years have been WR, Edge, CB. They tried hard at CB, thrown their share of resources at it. I can't fault their mindset at that spot, I fault their competence. At edge it took them 3 off seasoons to address it, but love their mindset in addressing it finally, will see about their competence. At WR, you can argue their mindset finally changed in off season 3 but simply swung and missed -- and I agree with Conn they also misplayed the market but it is what it is and the current WR room in off season #3 doesn't still have a legit #2.

Maybe I am confusing the issue with my stacking talent point. This team isn't in that of an advanced conversation about stacking talent at WR -- they aren't hitting the bare minimum at the spot. When you got some national observors saying if they lose Terry, this could be the worst WR room in the history of the NFL -- it brings home that this isn't just about some local fan malcontents giving Peters a hard time for no reason. It's a real narrative.

Your point is not lost on me, and yes, we likely could have raised the floor. I will still say that Diggs at the number he got coming off the injury he had would have been very risky, and Adams was not going anywhere but LA. That said, yes, there may have been some depth guys that could have been stacked, but I feel there is some emphasis that the WR2 position is vacant, and that's an indictment, and I'm just not convinced the WR2 was there to be had at this point without sacrificing more than we may have been willing to give up.

 

[NickyJ]

I don't see what would have been sacrificed. The $25m cap space last offseason turned to $50m cap space this offseason. What change would have made the team worse than it was last season? Would it have cost the team Jonathan Jones' 1 year rental?

 

[DWinzit]

You’re framing this through the lens of just the second offseason—but this is Year 3. He’s had three full cycles now.

And across those three offseasons, there have been plenty of opportunities to upgrade the WR room—even modestly. Stefon Diggs, Cooper Kupp, Davante Adams, Darius Slayton—none of these are perfect, but every one of them is a clear upgrade over what they were rolling out last year.
Heck, even just outbidding the Bears for Olamide Zaccheaus would have raised the floor.

And that’s the whole point of stacking talent—you don’t leave a position to chance. You don’t operate on “what if this guy stays healthy” or “what if the draft falls our way.” You remove uncertainty.

Look at how they approached edge. That’s what urgency looks like. They didn’t sit there hoping an injured Dorance Armstrong or Deatrich Wise would bounce back. They didn’t say, “maybe we can scheme it up.” They went out and added real bodies—multiple edges, legitimate competition, depth on top of depth—and even layered in more through the draft. Now Armstrong and Wise are extras. That’s how it’s supposed to work.

That’s going to town. That’s stacking talent. And I love it. But that same mindset hasn’t been applied to WR. Not even close. Yes, you can’t fix everything in one offseason. No one is arguing that. But this isn’t one offseason—it’s three. And instead of stacking talent at WR, they haven’t even secured a legitimate No. 2 for Jayden Daniels.

That’s not just falling short of a “no prisoners” approach—that’s the opposite of it.

To your point about Oweh, he was their Plan B. Plan A was Hendrickson but they pivoted fast when it was clear they couldn't get him. If they missed out on him and it was Chaisson and Omenihu, it would be good, not great. But better than what they did at WR.

The spots the've struggled with in the three years have been WR, Edge, CB. They tried hard at CB, thrown their share of resources at it. I can't fault their mindset at that spot, I fault their competence. At edge it took them 3 off seasoons to address it, but love their mindset in addressing it finally, will see about their competence. At WR, you can argue their mindset finally changed in off season 3 but simply swung and missed -- and I agree with Conn they also misplayed the market but it is what it is and the current WR room in off season #3 doesn't still have a legit #2.

Maybe I am confusing the issue with my stacking talent point. This team isn't in that of an advanced conversation about stacking talent at WR -- they aren't hitting the bare minimum at the spot. When you got some national observors saying if they lose Terry, this could be the worst WR room in the history of the NFL -- it brings home that this isn't just about some local fan malcontents giving Peters a hard time for no reason. It's a real narrative.

I like the way you used the Edge timeline and players in the comparison. I mean, Chaisson and Omenihu were good signings to add with Wise and Armstrong (although his health may still be questioned early). I think Omenihu is one of the most underappreciated good signings we made. The fact they pulled off Oweh was awesome and the icing. that's a nice group.

Now if they only had a more efficient game plan and backup plan at WR along with a better swing in the defensive backfield.

Oh and last season if they could have pulled off bringing in Slayton, not a giant n the industry, he could have made the WR group much more complete. It doesn't always take a major player to make an impact. And that's what a Jennings could have done this off season

 

[Primus Porcus]

I don't see what would have been sacrificed. The $25m cap space last offseason turned to $50m cap space this offseason. What change would have made the team worse than it was last season? Would it have cost the team Jonathan Jones' 1 year rental?

Give me an example and i'll respond to specifics. Just a blanket argument 'they could have done more' without actually analyzing what 'more' could have been done... not how I personally choose to look at it.

Stefon Diggs - 8 months post ACL - got 3yr $21M per year from New England. Turns out to have been a good gamble, but would have been an extreme gamble for us to take having Terry holding out for more money at the time.
Davonte Adams - Don't think it was actually a viable option - He was going to the Rams no matter what
Romeo Doubs - Wanted him, but he chose to go to New England (reports were that we were in at even a little more than NE but he chose there)
Alec Pierce - In big on him, offered more than Indy and he chose to stay at Indy


Again, Cooper Kupp and Keenan Allen would be names i'd be curious about if we were in on, and we may still land Allen at this point if he's willing to leave the West Coast... who knows. Kupp again is north of 30 and got $15m per year... probably about where I would be comfortable paying him, but if that numbers to, or even above $20m... it's a major risk.


Beyond that, how much 'better' was out there? A WR who has 10 more catches and 100 extra yards over the course of the year? Not exactly some revelation of missed opportunity.

 

[DWinzit]

I am glad we are not being held in a contract hostage situation like we were with Terry or like the Steelers are now with Aaron Rodgers. They are going to be stuck with Mason Rudolph, Will Howard and No. 76 overall pick in this year’s draft to select Penn State’s Drew Allar.

 

[NickyJ]

Give me an example and i'll respond to specifics. Just a blanket argument 'they could have done more' without actually analyzing what 'more' could have been done... not how I personally choose to look at it.

Who would the team have sacrificed to sign Zacheus again? Cooper Kupp? Mack Hollins? DeAndre Hopkins? Stefon Diggs? Diggs I could actually believe would be more significant than losing Jonathan Jones and Noah Brown.

 

[skinsinparadise]

I like the way you used the Edge timeline and players in the comparison. I mean, Chaisson and Omenihu were good signings to add with Wise and Armstrong (although his health may still be questioned early). I think Omenihu is one of the most underappreciated good signings we made. The fact they pulled off Oweh was awesome and the icing. that's a nice group.

Now if they only had a more efficient game plan and backup plan at WR along with a better swing in the defensive backfield.

Oh and last season if they could have pulled off bringing in Slayton, not a giant n the industry, he could have made the WR group much more complete. It doesn't always take a major player to make an impact. And that's what a Jennings could have done this off season

Slayton isn't a barn burner, but he's a competent WR. He was the Giants #3. Keenan Allen could have been had for a ham sandwich.

We are talking about this team lacking a #2, you can argue it doesn't have a #3 either. Burks, Dyami, Van Jefferson are far from a proven #3s.

My most optimistic take is Antonio evolves fast as a #2, he was one of my favs in this class, its possible but far from a certainty he kills it from the jump. i think a lot of their WR room right now hinges on that #71 pick -- and there was no bigger fan here than me as to Antonio, but a third rounder is far from a given solution to have a big rookie year from the jump.

 

[Primus Porcus]

Who would the team have sacrificed to sign Zacheus again? Cooper Kupp? Mack Hollins? DeAndre Hopkins? Stefon Diggs? Diggs I could actually believe would be more significant than losing Jonathan Jones and Noah Brown.

I've mentioned Hopkins and Diggs multiple times. Hopkins wasn't coming here, and Diggs was coming off an ACL injury, and got $20M+ per year. You yourself have argued about relying on Noah Brown, who's been recently injured being a mistake... then you want to pay a guy 8 months post ACL tear, who is 30+ years old, premium WR2 money? It can't be both ways just because one worked out and the other didnt.

The other 3 guys may have been 'better' than what we had, but at most they were 1 year short term investments meaning you would be moving on from at least 1 of your drafted players. Would you rather have Mack Hollins for 1 year, or your Rookie WRs for potentially 3 more? Yeah, they out-performed Noah Brown, but would you have cut McCaffrey or Lane for them to be in the room?

 

[NickyJ]

I've mentioned Hopkins and Diggs multiple times. Hopkins wasn't coming here, and Diggs was coming off an ACL injury, and got $20M+ per year. You yourself have argued about relying on Noah Brown, who's been recently injured being a mistake... then you want to pay a guy 8 months post ACL tear, who is 30+ years old, premium WR2 money? It can't be both ways just because one worked out and the other didnt.

The other 3 guys may have been 'better' than what we had, but at most they were 1 year short term investments meaning you would be moving on from at least 1 of your drafted players. Would you rather have Mack Hollins for 1 year, or your Rookie WRs for potentially 3 more? Yeah, they out-performed Noah Brown, but would you have cut McCaffrey or Lane for them to be in the room?

Diggs didn't have half his career marred by injuries. Noah Brown did. With the benefit of hindsight, Diggs did absolutely fine and Brown absolutely not.

But fine, we'll strike off Diggs. But what makes you say we'd be moving on from a draft pick? It could have been a competition between Noah and the free agent. I bet any one of them could have found a way to match Noah Brown's 83 yards.

1 year of Mack Hollins in the hand would have been worth 6 years of Noah Brown's 2026 production in the bush. I think we could have afforded it.

 

[Primus Porcus]

Diggs didn't have half his career marred by injuries. Noah Brown did. With the benefit of hindsight, Diggs did absolutely fine and Brown absolutely not.

But fine, we'll strike off Diggs. But what makes you say we'd be moving on from a draft pick? It could have been a competition between Noah and the free agent. I bet any one of them could have found a way to match Noah Brown's 83 yards.

Maybe i just don't think there's as much of a difference as the guys we ultimately had, and it makes sense to me that the juice aint worth the squeeze. Mack Hollins having his 46 rec / 550 yd / 2 tds here doesn't feel like it would have turned our whole season around. Theoretically he adds 1, maybe 2 wins? If we're lucky? Avg of 3 more catches / 30 yards per game? Is that taking a team picking top 10, and creating a 2nd half of the season contender?

Might just be 2 different alignments of thought... so hell, i might be arguing a different point than you're actually trying to make.

 

[Dah-Dee]

Saw a reference to the San Fran training staff in an Aiyuk discussion, so I googled it and some AI robot confirmed:

"According to the 2026 NFLPA report cards, the San Francisco 49ers' training staff was ranked the worst in the NFL."

Just thought that was interesting since Aiyuk insisted on rehab with his own doctors/staff instead of the SF staff, which led the 49ers to void a gazillion dollars, which in turn resulted in Aiyuk vacating the premises permanently.

I still think Aiyuk is... eccentric, but I'm not sure he wasn't justified either in doing rehab on his own, especially if his (former) teammates felt so strongly that the SF training staff was The Worst.