The 2026 Free Agency Thread

[KDawg]

It's partly Peters fault. When he says he wants all the questions answered before the draft so he has the freedom to always pick the best player available then on a literal level some of us look at the roster and worry if it doesn't appear to be set to our satisfaction. And right now, there do appear to be several real holes. There are legit questions about wide receiver, center, and our at depth corner and maybe safety.

This unease magnifies for some when we see a guy like Jennings sign elsewhere for cheap. I didn't expect Jennings to be the answer at starter, but he is a "safer" answer than some of our current players. So, that's unsettling because sometimes the fans are correct. Last year, many of us worried about how we were going to generate pass rush pressure despite team assurances that they had a plan. Then, we all saw how after Armstrong went down we were right. The team could not generate a pass rush. Turn the calendar to this year and our worries centered around pass rushers, wide receiver and center. Pass rusher has been checked off. Linebacker has been checked off. Wide receiver and center have been addressed, but not in a way that makes us confident.

One outside semi-related thought, on Kiem's podcast this morning, he noted that during drills when the offense went nickel the defense stayed in base. It that really is the plan, and if it works, that makes me feel better about the DB group. We actually do have linebackers who can move as well as a safties and some are as fast as corners. So while I still think we are too thin depthwise at corner and safety maybe it's not as bad as I think.

How does an offense go nickel?

As an overall aside… the only people I see here who are satisfied/“okay” with the offense as it is now are the same people who were satisfied with it last year. I don’t think there is any changing anyone’s mind at this point.

But I’m still concerned.

The point someone made about how this was a top 5 unit two years ago and that shouldn’t be forgotten… that’s semi fair but… it’s not the same offense, either.

The running game was much better with BRob and Ekeler. Robinson wore out his welcome but he would have been the best back on the team last year.

Terry was healthy and not yet disgruntled or had injuries.

There was no film on Jayden yet.

OL roughly equivalent.

We can get back there, but the moves we have made don’t seem to really point us that way. And the goal should be that we are better. That team relied heavily on Daniels legs, which Quinn wants to move away from.

The loss of Ekeler last year hurt us and I’m not sure if we’ve replaced him adequately or not. But that is where I actually have some hope for the offense: Ford, White and Allen. If they can be integrated in a way that mimics BRob/Ekeler while adding a home run threat dynamic is Bill, I do think the offense can be better.

My biggest question is Blough as a first year OC and “how much better”?

 

[skinsinparadise]

How does an offense go nickel?

As an overall aside… the only people I see here who are satisfied/“okay” with the offense as it is now are the same people who were satisfied with it last year. I don’t think there is any changing anyone’s mind at this point.

But I’m still concerned.

The point someone made about how this was a top 5 unit two years ago and that shouldn’t be forgotten… that’s semi fair but… it’s not the same offense, either.

The running game was much better with BRob and Ekeler. Robinson wore out his welcome but he would have been the best back on the team last year.

Terry was healthy and not yet disgruntled or had injuries.

There was no film on Jayden yet.

OL roughly equivalent.

We can get back there, but the moves we have made don’t seem to really point us that way. And the goal should be that we are better. That team relied heavily on Daniels legs, which Quinn wants to move away from.

The loss of Ekeler last year hurt us and I’m not sure if we’ve replaced him adequately or not. But that is where I actually have some hope for the offense: Ford, White and Allen. If they can be integrated in a way that mimics BRob/Ekeler while adding a home run threat dynamic is Bill, I do think the offense can be better.

My biggest question is Blough as a first year OC and “how much better”?

I don't love the 2024 group even with the power of hindsight. But its arguably their best lineup of these 3 seasons.

Often injured Noah Brown played 11 games, then. Zaccheus was a decent slot and Z option. Terry was still in peak form and played every game. Ekeler especially early in the season and late was really good. Crowder was a decent backup.

Ertz was unusually healthy and played a full season.

And my point on this thread, isn't that the current configuration is some disaster but its too much in my opinion based on betting on chance. In 2024, they bet on chance and it worked out. In 2025 betting on chance was a big failure. This feels like round 3 of betting on chance.

 

[RedWolf]

I like what they've done so far but I don't feel that it is complete. I try and stay in the "Group C" category

 

[KDawg]

I don't love the 2024 group even with the power of hindsight. But its arguably their best lineup of these 3 seasons.

Often injured Noah Brown played 11 games, then. Zaccheus was a decent slot and Z option. Terry was still in peak form and played every game. Ekeler especially early in the season and late was really good. Crowder was a decent backup.

Ertz was unusually healthy and played a full season.

And my point on this thread, isn't that the current configuration is some disaster but its too much in my opinion based on betting on chance. In 2024, they bet on chance and it worked out. In 2025 betting on chance was a big failure. This feels like round 3 of betting on chance.

There’s a lot of hope and projection going into this roster.

Which, to be fair, is kinda always the case. You could bring in a stud and you’d still be hoping you get that version of the player.

So to some extent that is always a thing.

But this offense is almost wholly banking on:

-Daniels being healthy (he hasn’t played a full season yet, and to be fair this was my concern about him on drafting him)

-Terry not losing a step and being healthy. I’m less concerned with him losing a step. If Terry is healthy he will produce, imo.

-Chig being Ertz+. Ertz has been a solid option for us, and in 24 exceeded my expectations. But, for Chig to be worth the hype, he has to, minimum, have a 70/750/5 type of season and be healthy.

-2 receivers, at minimum, if Terry is healthy and Chig meets expectations, have to be on point. Williams will probably have a typical rookie campaign. But I think he’ll be about what we expect. We need Burks, Lane or McCaffrey to get near that 600-700 yard mark as well.

-the backs have to produce at BRob/Ekeler levels (my phone is doing that thing again where it randomly bolds or italicizes stuff in my post and I can’t turn it off).

they only combined for 1,150 rushing yards, but this room will also need to account for at least half of Jayden’s 900 yard output. So 1,600 rush yards and 60/650 receiving… and that’s just to be an equal offense.

 

[KDawg]

I like what they've done so far but I don't feel that it is complete. I try and stay in the "Group C" category

I actually don’t put myself in any of the groups…

I am concerned. But I think they did the bare minimum player wise to be a passable offseason. But coach wise I think they did below par (and that’s not just Blough. I like Blough, and I think he’s a bright guy. But he’s a first year OC without a lot of veteran help and a coaching staff full of younger guys that also need to acclimate. So for year one, this is very concerning. If this staff survives I will probably start feeling better towards the end of season 1 and into season 2).

So I think they are below par overall, but they have enough where if everyone meets expectations the offense could be very good. If half of the moves meet expectations in that 10-20 group. If less than that between 20-32. And expectations include health.

If asked in a straight forward fashion I’d bet on the offense being middling. Which is roughly where it was last year.

If we include the defense, I think we did make a big improvement. So middling offense, slightly better defense = middling season.

So I’m concerned but overall very “meh”. Overall happy with the D. Not so much with the O.

 

[Dlts20]

There have been a lot of posts on the draft thread leading up to the draft, unless i am forgetting one, the only person who posted about Antonio Williams and I did it a zillion times in the context of why if they skip a WR in the first, IMO there were only two options Bernard and Willians. Sarratt, the runner up to those two. And I explained in detail why.

So i am very well versed in Antonio Williams, and no he isn't much of a deep threat. He's OK on that front, I agree that he has potential. But that's not his game. He has one of the lowest YPC numbers and TD numbers in this group, near the bottom.

What they accomplished with Antonio, isn't IMO getting that home run threat, what they accomplished to me is equally important. That is, they aren't banking on Lane and McCaffrey as their slot options. I know Antonio can play some Z, too. But he majors in quick seperation in short space. His niche is the slot. And his HC has said the same. He can minor in Z. And granted the Z options suck so by default he should get some reps there but IMO it's not his bread and butter.

He's a faster Jamison Crowder, not a Desean Jackson.

It's not like people are overlooking Aiyuk. It's that he is the biggest wildcard and mystery perhaps in the whole NFL let alone for this team. Among other things, we are banking on him showing up to SF camp. If he doesn't from what I've gathered his season is over. He's a wildcard. Wildcards IMO are gravy -- the cherry on top of the sundae, a bonus. It's not what you depend on.

I didn't say White was C-Rod's replacement. The exchange was about who was gained and lost on each unit. If it feels better I'll say he's replacing Ekeler. And my point is I don't think we can say the RB room is slam dunk better than what they started with in 2025.

Nobody is overlooking Aiyuk, it’s all anyone is talking about. The argument is over whether relying on him is a good plan or not. Most people coming into the offseason knew Aiyuk was on the menu but wanted him to be a garnish on the meal, not the main FA addition at the position. Anyone pretending otherwise is retconning, Antonio Williams falling to us in the 3rd seems to have been a good get, but that was NOBODY’s plan A, even in the 3rd round alone, except for skinsinparadise lol. People love the pick now but even when it happened a lot of people were like “a slot guy?” and this was mere weeks ago. History is already being rewritten as if the plan was obvious.

Pretending now that a 3rd round WR + eventual (?) Aiyuk acquisition was a totally reasonable outcome to everyone two months ago is just pure unfiltered cope. It’s bullshit, nobody wanted that outcome. Now we have to hope that it works out, but you keep posting like this is some master plan from our FO that people are forgetting to believe in. It wasn’t their plan A or B either. Plan C, from what we know, could technically be true but is being generous.

This is the difference with me. I screamed all last year about this being the worst receiving core in the league once Terry went down and how we are doing Jayden a disservice. It's unfair to compare him to a Burrow when you look at the receivers, etc.

However, if people remembered I did think that we were dead wrong for choosing Brown over Dyami after his ascending playoff run. He didn't kill it in Jacksonville but I think he would have been better for us but that's all semantics anyways.

The main thing is that I'm in the minority in that I love talent, want talent, but don't want too much talent to where dudes are going to get upset about roles and playing time. Even yesterday I've been talking about how DQ basically said yesterday that we are going to be running a 3-4 so now we have 4 qualified LBs for 2 inside spots. Dudes are not going to be happy.

I want Terry, Aiyuk, and Williams. Keim and others reported when the off-season started that they want Aiyuk but he won't be the only one. They got Williams. If we get Diggs or whoever then either he or Aiyuk are going to clash about opportunities or Aiyuk may flat out not want to come anymore. Stefon has been great but he's also been a well documented complainer with an ego. He's going to want touches and will be vocal if it doesn't happen.

I said last week that a lot of this comes down to Williams not being perceived to be that guy and that you all wouldn't be complaining that much if we drafted Tate. You wouldn't be desperate like you are now. Some of you disputed that so I am going to double down except switch it up by using Pierce. If we had signed Pierce, then all of you right now would be fine with Pierce and Aiyuk. You wouldn't be clamoring for Diggs. Probably the same with Doubs.

Therefore it again comes back to Williams vs Pierce. Do you think that Williams can reach that level. If you do then I think that you should be pretty satisfied. I for one think that Pierce is just a overrated one trick pony where Williams has way more versatility to his game. This season basically hinges on Williams more than Aiyuk. If he's the guy they think he is then we will be fine. If he's a 3rd receiver then we will be reliant on Aiyuk.

Me personally, I feel like we will be fine no matter what as long as Terry and Chig play 14 plus games. That's going to make us 10x better than last year by itself

 

[skinsinparadise]

There’s a lot of hope and projection going into this roster.

Which, to be fair, is kinda always the case. You could bring in a stud and you’d still be hoping you get that version of the player.

So to some extent that is always a thing.

But this offense is almost wholly banking on:

-Daniels being healthy (he hasn’t played a full season yet, and to be fair this was my concern about him on drafting him)

-Terry not losing a step and being healthy. I’m less concerned with him losing a step. If Terry is healthy he will produce, imo.

-Chig being Ertz+. Ertz has been a solid option for us, and in 24 exceeded my expectations. But, for Chig to be worth the hype, he has to, minimum, have a 70/750/5 type of season and be healthy.

-2 receivers, at minimum, if Terry is healthy and Chig meets expectations, have to be on point. Williams will probably have a typical rookie campaign. But I think he’ll be about what we expect. We need Burks, Lane or McCaffrey to get near that 600-700 yard mark as well.

-the backs have to produce at BRob/Ekeler levels (my phone is doing that thing again where it randomly bolds or italicizes stuff in my post and I can’t turn it off).

they only combined for 1,150 rushing yards, but this room will also need to account for at least half of Jayden’s 900 yard output. So 1,600 rush yards and 60/650 receiving… and that’s just to be an equal offense.

To your point, agree, I don't expect a team to have no weaknesses.

But when you got 50 million cap room that you are sitting on. And a young Qb, who indirectly the team admitted any regression issues last year stemmed from his WR corp. Sign a legit #2 WR. I doesn't have to be some high end stud like Michael Wilson, or Higgins or Addison or name that high end #2. A mid tier #2 is fine.

i don't think people are whiners and overly emotional or haters for just wanting a regular #2 WR like almost every other team has.

It's not that am looking for them to fail or for me to be right about this -- i don't think I or anyone here advocating for this are football savants by advocating this. I believe that we are just stating the obvious so lol if we end up right who gives a crap, its not some deep insight being vindicated, we just feel that it might not be enough to be a serious contender and or help Jayden's development.

 

[skinsinparadise]

This is the difference with me. I screamed all last year about this being the worst receiving core in the league once Terry went down and how we are doing Jayden a disservice. It's unfair to compare him to a Burrow when you look at the receivers, etc.

However, if people remembered I did think that we were dead wrong for choosing Brown over Dyami after his ascending playoff run. He didn't kill it in Jacksonville but I think he would have been better for us but that's all semantics anyways.

The main thing is that I'm in the minority in that I love talent, want talent, but don't want too much talent to where dudes are going to get upset about roles and playing time. Even yesterday I've been talking about how DQ basically said yesterday that we are going to be running a 3-4 so now we have 4 qualified LBs for 2 inside spots. Dudes are not going to be happy.

I want Terry, Aiyuk, and Williams. Keim and others reported when the off-season started that they want Aiyuk but he won't be the only one. They got Williams. If we get Diggs or whoever then either he or Aiyuk are going to clash about opportunities or Aiyuk may flat out not want to come anymore. Stefon has been great but he's also been a well documented complainer with an ego. He's going to want touches and will be vocal if it doesn't happen.

I said last week that a lot of this comes down to Williams not being perceived to be that guy and that you all wouldn't be complaining that much if we drafted Tate. You wouldn't be desperate like you are now. Some of you disputed that so I am going to double down except switch it up by using Pierce. If we had signed Pierce, then all of you right now would be fine with Pierce and Aiyuk. You wouldn't be clamoring for Diggs. Probably the same with Doubs.

Therefore it again comes back to Williams vs Pierce. Do you think that Williams can reach that level. If you do then I think that you should be pretty satisfied. I for one think that Pierce is just a overrated one trick pony where Williams has way more versatility to his game. This season basically hinges on Williams more than Aiyuk. If he's the guy they think he is then we will be fine. If he's a 3rd receiver then we will be reliant on Aiyuk.

Me personally, I feel like we will be fine no matter what as long as Terry and Chig play 14 plus games. That's going to make us 10x better than last year by itself

I didn't love the WR corp heading into last season either. So this is round 2 for me on this. And i didn't find my points on this insightful back then. In my mind, I was just stating the obvious. And ditto this off season, i am just stating the obvious.

I liked Antonio but also liked Tate. IMO Tate > Williams. Taking a top 5 pick, -- the hopes are higher than someone picked 71. Just like Styles hitting the ground running and perhaps being a star is an easier bet than lets say Trotter. Doesn't mean that's how it goes down, but there is a higher hit rate for top 10 picks versus third rounders.

But I do think I get your point. Terry stays healthy. Antonio becomes a stud as a rookie at slot. And trust the brass that Aiyuk will be a stud this season or Diggs if they go that route. If that happens then you got a killer WR corp and dudes that we are worried about like Burks, Dyami, etc just end up depth.

Is this possible? Yes. Probable? I don't think so. I think the odds are good that one of those three variables don't work out.

As far as Pierce versus Antonio. Totally different type of WRs. If they took Chris Brazzell IMO he'd be in that Pierce mode of a player if he hit his stride.

The way i look at Antonio in the context of this team is something like this: Lane and McCaffrey are question marks slot WRs. they were a bit raw coming out of college and haven't put it together yet in the pros. So what if we took a higher end more polished slot WR, a higher floor player who is more likely to work out and for that matter they work out ASAP versus trying to develop him.

A WR who is theory you can heat up in the microwave and they are ready to go. But as much as I dig the player, any rookie has some wildcard to them.

 

[Dlts20]

I didn't love the WR corp heading into last season either. So this is round 2 for me on this. And i didn't find my points on this insightful back then. In my mind, I was just stating the obvious. And ditto this off season, i am just stating the obvious.

I liked Antonio but also liked Tate. IMO Tate > Williams. Taking a top 5 pick, -- the hopes are higher than someone picked 71. Just like Styles hitting the ground running and perhaps being a star is an easier bet than lets say Trotter. Doesn't mean that's how it goes down, but there is a higher hit rate for top 10 picks versus third rounders.

But I do think I get your point. Terry stays healthy. Antonio becomes a stud as a rookie at slot. And trust the brass that Aiyuk will be a stud this season or Diggs if they go that route. If that happens then you got a killer WR corp and dudes that we are worried about like Burks, Dyami, etc just end up depth.

Is this possible? Yes. Probable? I don't think so. I think the odds are good that one of those three variables don't work out.

As far as Pierce versus Antonio. Totally different type of WRs. If they took Chris Brazzell IMO he'd be in that Pierce mode of a player if he hit his stride.

The way i look at Antonio in the context of this team is something like this: Lane and McCaffrey are question marks slot WRs. they were a bit raw coming out of college and haven't put it together yet in the pros. So what if we took a higher end more polished slot WR, a higher floor player who is more likely to work out and for that matter they work out ASAP versus trying to develop him.

So it doesn't sound like you have any confidence in him being a reliable starting Z or a slot, poor man's St. Brown? You keep talking about Lane and Luke for obvious reasons but also it sounds like you see him as just a better, high end version of them than you do a poor man's St. Brown or a thriving Z. If that's the case then I don't agree with that. I also feel like there were other factors involved with his yac numbers and he has great potential in that regard. Here's something for you guys though :

 

[BayouBrave86]

Rome wasn’t built in a day. Our defensive needs were far more pressing than offense this offseason. I bet we go heavy on WRs next year. And we are going to be very grateful we didn’t get Tate. I’d like one or two more vet signings. Honestly wouldn’t mind bringing back Deebo. Deebo and Antonio with McLaurin would be pretty solid in theory. But we really need a dynamic back and a true 1 to replace Terry (which can definitely be found in the first round next draft)

 

[KDawg]

Rome wasn’t built in a day. Our defensive needs were far more pressing than offense this offseason. I bet we go heavy on WRs next year. And we are going to be very grateful we didn’t get Tate. I’d like one or two more vet signings. Honestly wouldn’t mind bringing back Deebo. Deebo and Antonio with McLaurin would be pretty solid in theory. But we really need a dynamic back and a true 1 to replace Terry (which can definitely be found in the first round next draft)

They NEED Williams to hit and then NEED one of Lane and McCaffrey to work. NEED. Requirement.

If that happens we need to replace Terry most likely, but the 2/3 situation looks a lot better.

Olave and Drake London are potential free agents next year - I doubt they hit the market but London, Williams, one of Lane/Luke and a first round rookie (Marsh, Duff, Smith?!) would make this receiver group look really solid. If we could afford Terry (I mean with how we spend money why not? 😆)

Christian Watson is also a potential free agent who would be a great snag.

Marsh/Duff + Watson + Terry + Williams is a really good group.

But I’m not sold we’d spend the money to make that happen.

I don’t think Deebo is an option here. I think he was told he’s not wanted.

 

[DWinzit]

So it doesn't sound like you have any confidence in him being a reliable starting Z or a slot, poor man's St. Brown? You keep talking about Lane and Luke for obvious reasons but also it sounds like you see him as just a better, high end version of them than you do a poor man's St. Brown or a thriving Z. If that's the case then I don't agree with that. I also feel like there were other factors involved with his yac numbers and he has great potential in that regard. Here's something for you guys though :

Sounds like he isn't looking to sign with any one for a while

 

[KDawg]

On another note… Stefon Diggs immediately improves our offense in a ridiculous way. ~50% of total snaps played for him and 1k yards. Can get over the top. Can play possession style.

He transforms our offense.

One player. Get it done. For a year. Maybe 2 to give us a security blanket for Terry.

 

[RedWolf]

On another note… Stefon Diggs immediately improves our offense in a ridiculous way. ~50% of total snaps played for him and 1k yards. Can get over the top. Can play possession style.

He transforms our offense.

One player. Get it done. For a year. Maybe 2 to give us a security blanket for Terry.

I agree

 

[DWinzit]

On another note… Stefon Diggs immediately improves our offense in a ridiculous way. ~50% of total snaps played for him and 1k yards. Can get over the top. Can play possession style.

He transforms our offense.

One player. Get it done. For a year. Maybe 2 to give us a security blanket for Terry.

He came back from an ACL in June of 24, went to a new and got 85 receptions in 25 while battling some minor injuries. Impressive!

 

[burgold]

How does an offense go nickel?

I suspect they were referring to when the offense goes three wide. I was just using Kiem's terms.

 

[skinsinparadise]

So it doesn't sound like you have any confidence in him being a reliable starting Z or a slot, poor man's St. Brown? You keep talking about Lane and Luke for obvious reasons but also it sounds like you see him as just a better, high end version of them than you do a poor man's St. Brown or a thriving Z. If that's the case then I don't agree with that. I also feel like there were other factors involved with his yac numbers and he has great potential in that regard. Here's something for you guys though :

From the dude, me, who said I was "ecstatic" when they took him, the minute it happened on draft day. Same dude, me, who gave a list of WRs i wanted before that pick who were left and had Antonio #1 on the list. The one person on the draft thread that kept beating the drum for them to take him if they don't take a Wr in the first and explained why. So i am the dude without any confidence in him?

I am getting the impression you want to fall head over heals in love with the player and that he's a big solution here. Look, I love the prospect. But ANY rookie. ANY one of them is a wildcard. The success rate for third round Wrs as it's being point out on the draft thread many times by multiple posters is very low.

But I was an Antonio Williams guy lol before it was cool. But still lets date the rookies before we propose marriage. You got to see it play out a little.

You know that St. Brown made his mark as a slot WR right? He's been playing more Z as his career progressed but his bread and butter is slot.

Being a good slot WR, isn't some handicap. It's as important in my book as Z. Especialy for a team that wants to major in play action and one that doesn't have Zach Ertz anymore.

And if you are pushing as I noticed Aiyuk and overall defending what they are doing at WR -- you don't want to fight me on the idea that his best attributes fit the slot better than Z. Because to defend everything that they got cooking, you'd want Antonio in the slot and Aiyuk at Z. that would be the ideal way to puzzle this clearly if everything works out perfectly.

Amon-Ra St. Brown disrespected in rankings of 25 and under wide receivers

Detroit Lions All-Pro Amon-Ra St. Brown continues to get disrespected in NFL wide receiver rankings.

sports.yahoo.com

Yahoo Sports' Matt Harmon ranked the top wide receivers in the NFL who are 25 years old or younger. Harmon slotted St. Brown at No.3 on the list, behind Cincinnati Bengals All-Pro Ja'Marr Chase and Los Angeles Rams' star Puka Nacua.

"St. Brown is one of the best power slot receivers in the NFL, if not the best. Knocking him down too far in your rankings because of alignment is outdated thinking. St. Brown also deserves tremendous credit for improving as a separator against man and press coverage on an incremental basis every single season of his career. At worst, he’s the first option among the NFL’s second tier of receivers," Harmon wrote.

Having Chase over St. Brown is a no-brainer, as the Bengals receiver is coming off a historic 2024 campaign, where he led the league in receptions (127), yards (1,708), and touchdowns (17). However, St. Brown shouldn't be below Nacua.

Though Nacua is incredibly talented, St. Brown's consistency and proven production should put him over the Rams receiver in Harmon's ranking.

St. Brown has tallied three straight campaigns with over 100 catches and 1,000 yards. The USC product has also posted double-digit touchdowns in two consecutive seasons, including a career-high 12 receiving touchdowns in 2024.

Due to a bulk of his snaps coming from the slot, St. Brown has flown under the radar in rankings of the best playmakers in the sport. The 25-year-old deserves more respect, and another productive season in 2025 could elevate him into the upper echelon of players in the NFL, if he already isn't there.

 

[Riggo44]

 

[method man]

skinsinparadise I wouldn’t be surprised if they are running close to or are effectively out of cash budget from doing anything of note. We have a lot of cap space remaining but, with the signing bonuses, cash spend would point higher

Also they are certainly going to have to put a lot of money in escrow with all the guarantees

 

[RedWolf]

Thoughts on this? BTJ for next years 2nd?