The 2026 Free Agency Thread

[DWinzit]

Magee absolutely should have been on the field much more than he was last year, especially late in the season. Wagner was still the better tackler and had better leadership and intangible qualities but it was when Magee should have been getting shot at the green dot. Why great experience he missed out on and our coaches missed out on seeing his growth

Falling to play Magee was as poor of a decision as not playing Hartman

 

[KDawg]

Magee absolutely should have been on the field much more than he was last year, especially late in the season. Wagner was still the better tackler and had better leadership and intangible qualities but it was when Magee should have been getting shot at the green dot. Why great experience he missed out on and our coaches missed out on seeing his growth

Falling to play Magee was as poor of a decision as not playing Hartman

Absolutely.

 

[skinsinparadise]

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

Absolutely it could be the case. Some within the local media keeps arguing that pick one, the defense or the offense as if that's the choice this off season. And fans are being unrealistic expecting both. Peters has mentioned having a cash budget again this year.

And in reference to the Biadaz release, been mentioned a bunch of times from some locals who cover the team, don't focus on the cap focus on the 8 million in cash savings.

I am guessing they have like 8 million or so or something like that saved for Aiyuk and will then call it a day.

So I definitely think there is a chance that its not Peters just sitting on 50 million in cap room, but is driven instead by how much left of his cash allowance he has.

The Eagles are famous for being one of the least limited teams as to cash budget, and lead the NFL right now in cash spent. But most teams are on a cash budget that has nothing to do with cap room.

If so, I think Harris might be penny wise and pound foolish, to not complete the roster. And before someone jumps down my throat for saying that -- I love what Josh has done for the team, 10 out of 10 owner and he has spent plenty. But you got 1-2 years left of Jayden's rookie contract window.

 

[Primus Porcus]

Absolutely it could be the case. Some within the local media keeps arguing that pick one, the defense or the offense as if that's the choice this off season. And fans are being unrealistic expecting both. Peters has mentioned having a cash budget again this year.

And in reference to the Biadaz release, been mentioned a bunch of times from some locals who cover the team, don't focus on the cap focus on the 8 million in cash savings.

I am guessing they have like 8 million or so or something like that saved for Aiyuk and will then call it a day.

So I definitely think there is a chance that its not Peters just sitting on 50 million in cap room, but is driven instead by how much left of his cash allowance he has.

The Eagles are famous for being one of the least limited teams as to cash budget, and lead the NFL right now in cash spent. But most teams are on a cash budget that has nothing to do with cap room.

If so, I think Harris might be penny wise and pound foolish, to not complete the roster. And before someone jumps down my throat for saying that -- I love what Josh has done for the team, 10 out of 10 owner and he has spent plenty. But you got 1-2 years left of Jayden's rookie contract window.

This is another reason why i find myself being more patient (maybe more than I should be) than others when it comes to signings. I'm not saying this is definitely the case, I'm just saying that I don't have all the information, so it's hard for me to be too critical about moves that were made, or not made. I just simply don't know all the info. Factors that we're all not privy to effect decisions...

 

[skinsinparadise]

I was listening to Sheehan talk about why the power rankers feel that this team will be bad next year. He cited among his theories that they expected them to add offensive firepower and they haven't. And then read the Bleacher Report power rankings which labeled this team a pretender and part of their rationale is they lack of weapons.

We talk about a divide here between some who think they need to do more and others who think those who complain are just whiners and are off base. And lol clearly some of us are irritating the others in this argument.

I think you got some of this with the national media, power rankers, mock draft types versus the local media. Nationals are mostly ranging from yawning about this team to thinking thwy will suck, and they aren't impressed with this roster. The local media by and large are impressed with the roster -- and divided about whether Jayden has enough weapons.

I was watching Grant and Danny Rouhier go at each other on a youtube segment where their show was filmed. Danny taking the side of me and some others here that they didn't do enough for Jayden and bemoaning that they are putting so much on Jayden's plate. Grant going on about the defense will help Jayden, and he has enough on offense to make dude and who cares if it dampens Jayden's QB numbers as long as it helps the team win -- in short its not about Jayden its about winning. But lol both hardened in their views. I find the same with some others who cover this team locally -- some worried, some defenders of the status quo.

 

[Dlts20]

Some things that I looked up of Harris with the 76ers and an article at the bottom:

Four teams are paying more luxury tax this year than Joshua Harris has in 15 seasons
39.6 million spent in tax over 15 years.

The latest estimate of his networth is around TWELVE BILLION a number so large it is hard to conceptualize.

40 million / 12 billion = .0033 (repeating of course). He has spent a third of a penny on our sixers.

Lets put this in perspective.

If you were making $80,000 - $100,000 then .33% x 80k = $264 dollars and .33% x 100k = $330

Joshua Harris from his perspective has spent the equivalent of a video game console once every 15 years to help us get over the hump.
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The Philadelphia 76ers under owner Josh Harris have historically been criticized for prioritizing financial flexibility and avoiding the luxury tax, despite fan and player calls for increased spending for roster improvement. While Harris stated a willingness to pay the luxury tax for winning in 2017 and 2019, the team has not exceeded the luxury tax threshold since his 2011 ownership, notably trading Jared McCain in February 2026 to get below the luxury tax line for the current season.
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Sixers strategy and spin at NBA trade deadline an insult to fans

The NBA trade deadline has passed and the Philadelphia 76ers, owned by Josh Harris, have done little more than dodge the luxury tax. Again.

www.libertyballers.com

 

[Primus Porcus]

Some things that I looked up of Harris with the 76ers and an article at the bottom:

Four teams are paying more luxury tax this year than Joshua Harris has in 15 seasons
39.6 million spent in tax over 15 years.

The latest estimate of his networth is around TWELVE BILLION a number so large it is hard to conceptualize.

40 million / 12 billion = .0033 (repeating of course). He has spent a third of a penny on our sixers.

Lets put this in perspective.

If you were making $80,000 - $100,000 then .33% x 80k = $264 dollars and .33% x 100k = $330

Joshua Harris from his perspective has spent the equivalent of a video game console once every 15 years to help us get over the hump.
------------------------------------------


The Philadelphia 76ers under owner Josh Harris have historically been criticized for prioritizing financial flexibility and avoiding the luxury tax, despite fan and player calls for increased spending for roster improvement. While Harris stated a willingness to pay the luxury tax for winning in 2017 and 2019, the team has not exceeded the luxury tax threshold since his 2011 ownership, notably trading Jared McCain in February 2026 to get below the luxury tax line for the current season.
----------------

Why the Commanders' $6 billion bidding war was one Josh Harris had to win

Harris has built a multibillion-dollar empire buying distressed assets. But his high-stakes bet on the Washington Commanders is his biggest yet. And it's one he knows he can't lose.

www.espn.com

hold on though, 'net worth' is not liquid cash.

Be critical of his spending, sure, but to act like his net worth is somehow available to him to directly use for cash spending is not a valid statement.

 

[skinsinparadise]

This is another reason why i find myself being more patient (maybe more than I should be) than others when it comes to signings. I'm not saying this is definitely the case, I'm just saying that I don't have all the information, so it's hard for me to be too critical about moves that were made, or not made. I just simply don't know all the info. Factors that we're all not privy to effect decisions...

I think Danny Rouhier summed up my position perfectly in the segment I referred to above.

As he goes, they failed to give him a good supporting cast three years in a row. It might not have been by design but that's how it ended up, regardless. It's not about one move, or over one year, its all of it combined. And he and Grant want back and forth on this (lol, it felt like a microcasm of the debates here) and even Grant who was pushing back on the point agreed that it won't be easy for Jayden to duplicate what he did in 2024 with a rerun of that supporting cast, that some of that were lucky breaks converging perfectly for them.

I seriously doubt Peters agrees that the current supporting cast is good enough. The proof is in the pudding with them offering 30 million for Pierce and getting into a bidding war for Doubs. And we keep hearing they want Aiyuk.

Keim mentioned in a podcast last year heading into that season something to the effect that they knew the roster wasn't complete and knew they were vulnerable at WR and DE.

I don't think Peters is stupid. As I've said before I hear he's competitve as heck and works his ass off. And I like most of what he's done this off season.

But like Danny said whether by design or not, the execution of it so far three off seasons in a row resulted in a lacking supporting cast for Jayden. And considering he's still a young developing QB, they should have done better for him. I 100% agree.

And actually, I'll give this to Grant. And lol I like that show, I know not everyone here does, but those two are genuine fans which you don't always get including from the locals. So agree or disagree, its all cool of course. We all just want to win. Grant articulated the other side in my book in a way that I could digest better. That is, he flat our suggests Jayden won't be as good as he would be with more weapons. He probably won't be ranked as high as a QB, etc. But he says in a nice way, its not all about Jayden. If they win games 4-13, and Jayden doesn't put up big numbers who cares?

Yeah while I don't feel the same as to the point because for me I want to groom Jayden to be this top 5 killer QB -- but to extrapolate Grant's point further, he didn't say this part but this is just me running with the thought in a different direction -- I loved the Maye-Jayden, Caleb-Jayden arguments in rookie season 1, they all went our way, we had that big time QB, maybe another Mahomes, didn't love those discussions in season 2 -- but if I can get over that and lets say Jayden is the #8 ranked QB instead of the #4, or Maye is considered the better QB or whatever, who cares if they win. I agree to that point in concept.

But for me I do think making Jayden kick ass in a bigger way has a ripple effect on this roster that does lend to winning. But more on point, I see GMs who are obviously a lot smarter than me doing this. Going back to ensuring Paytton Manning has stud WRs, on and on. But if the argument is framed where yeah Jayden has a lesser chance of putting up gaudy numbers, It feels like a fair argument because you are acknowledging the trade off.

But back on point, closer to what I recall your point of view, I agree that everything didn't fall in Peters lap to fix that spot. But there were some options and some opportunities -- i accede that he looked at them. And to his credit he acknowleged in the end of the season presser he regrets not pursuing it more aggressively -- it was his response to a Standig question on the topic. But I can't take him off the hook for three years of this, its enough time.

Having said that, it seems pretty clear they see Aiyuk as a potential solution. I've been ok with that idea for a long time. It just feels more and more risky as time goes on. But will see.

And for me not taking Peters off the hook isn't about me not liking him. I like him. It's that it feels like a missed opportunity during a potential SB window.

 

[Dlts20]

I think you are the only person in the world, Commies HQ included, that thinks that signing Aiyuk alone at this point will give the team a Super Bowl.

Actually, considering the team hasn't signed anyone, maybe Commies HQ really does believe that. That thought scares me.

What do you mean. We've spent as much money as anyone this off-season and we were in the NFCC game the year before we led the league in injuries. It's not absurd at all IMO "if" Aiyuk is great again

 

[HOF44]

If we are playing a cash cap game, which it looks like we are, we won’t ever be consistently competitive with the top teams. Cap should be the limit not an artificial cash cap. Good luck selling out those PSL’s going that route.

 

[Anselmheifer]

The Josh Harris stuff is more than mildly infuriating if true.

There have been potential solutions all along.

You’re going to tell me that a guy worth 12 billion, with other business partners nearly as wealthy, can’t come up with $20 million to being in Stefan Diggs and give this team a real chance in the conference?

 

[Primus Porcus]

According to Forbes, it's not $12B, it's $10.4B. Of course i'm not trying to say $10.4B is poverty level, it's beyond wealth, but it's information.

There's a ton of factors when we're talking about actual cash to spend. "come up with $20 Million" aint as easy as going to the ATM.

1. Any contract signed has guaranteed money attached. At the time of signing, the amount of that guaranteed money needs to be payed out and put in Escrow. So far this off season, the guaranteed money paid out is: $212,640,000

2. We're now in the midst of building a brand new $3.7B stadium, with no public funding. There will be an investment of just over $1B to the infrastructure, and surrounding area, but the stadium itself is 100% the responsibility of the team.
3. Despite that, there have been large upgrades to Northwest Stadium, as well as to the team facility in Ashburn. My brain is saying since 2024, the two is somewhere near $100M but I haven't 100% been able to back that up with what i've find quickly looking online.
4. We're on the horizon of potentially having an extension for Jayden next off season. If he plays like we hope he will, he is going to re-set the market, and we could see up to, and even more than $300M GUARANTEED. That's going to mean the minute they sign that contract, there has to be a check written for $300+M and put into escrow.


Harris & co are spending money. They're not doing this with some idea of cutting corners.

 

[Dlts20]

If we are playing a cash cap game, which it looks like we are, we won’t ever be consistently competitive with the top teams. Cap should be the limit not an artificial cash cap. Good luck selling out those PSL’s going that route.

IMO, it sounds like something the NFLPA could get involved in if they truly believe so. It's one thing not to go into luxury tax in basketball but when you consistently aren't getting anywhere near the cap, that is totally different. I've said before that it may have to do with Jayden's looming contract they have to pay.

Im sure his massive contract will change that when it comes up but if we pay him and still are 50mil clear of the cap then the PA needs to be vocal about it. Still our opportunity is now while he's on the rookie contract. If we were going to leave this much room then we might as well had went even higher for Pierce.

 

[KDawg]

I’m kinda terrified that if we are playing the cash cap game that Pierce was a higher level target than Chig.

If we signed Pierce, we probably don’t have Chig.

Although the other hand is if we signed Pierce maybe that means they aren’t waiting for Aiyuk.

I don’t know. But if we offered Pierce that money on a cash strap what does that mean for our other, less costly, signings?

Kinda scary.

 

[HOF44]

I’m kinda terrified that if we are playing the cash cap game that Pierce was a higher level target than Chig.

If we signed Pierce, we probably don’t have Chig.

Although the other hand is if we signed Pierce maybe that means they aren’t waiting for Aiyuk.

I don’t know. But if we offered Pierce that money on a cash strap what does that mean for our other, less costly, signings?

Kinda scary.

I believe that to be true. Chig wasn’t anywhere high on their list as FA opened. If we had signed Pierce I don’t think we get Chig and our D pick ups would have been a lot fewer.

I figure we are operating on team income and team debt. Harris is not putting anymore personal money in without an increase in ownership percentage and the other owners aren’t going to give that up either. So we are stuck on what cash the teams value can carry.

 

[KDawg]

I believe that to be true. Chig wasn’t anywhere high on their list as FA opened. If we had signed Pierce I don’t think we get Chig and our D pick ups would have been a lot fewer.

I mean this is terrifying if it’s accurate.

The off-season has been baseline okay to begin with. Getting Pierce with half of the other signings and this place would have been set on fire with hostility.

 

[Primus Porcus]

I’m kinda terrified that if we are playing the cash cap game that Pierce was a higher level target than Chig.

If we signed Pierce, we probably don’t have Chig.

Although the other hand is if we signed Pierce maybe that means they aren’t waiting for Aiyuk.

I don’t know. But if we offered Pierce that money on a cash strap what does that mean for our other, less costly, signings?

Kinda scary.

It's a very VERY valid point, and it was part of my thinking when I was against 'opening the check book, do whatever it takes' mentality. It's just not that simple. A bad signing has a ripple effect that can be felt for YEARS (and a bad signing isn't necessarily just statistical output, its effect on the roster). We of all people should be the ones to understand that, beyond the lost cap ramifications. We've seen some of the worst possible contracts handed out with the justification of 'going all in.' Adding the possible $10m - $15m in guarantees it may have taken to get Pierce ripped away from Indy kills a TON of our off season. He got $84m guaranteed... would we have had to go to $95m, or even $100m to get him here? Thats literally what we paid Oweh / Okonkwo / Chanel in guarantees. I imagine you cross all 3 of those guys off the list if we land Pierce.

 

[HOF44]

But what’s stopping us from a one year commitment to let’s say Diggs. We have the cap. It doesn’t hurt us long term. But we are going to leave 50 mill just sitting there.

 

[KDawg]

It's a very VERY valid point, and it was part of my thinking when I was against 'opening the check book, do whatever it takes' mentality. It's just not that simple. A bad signing has a ripple effect that can be felt for YEARS (and a bad signing isn't necessarily just statistical output, its effect on the roster aas well) We of all people should be the ones to understand that, beyond the lost cap ramifications. We've seen some of the worst possible contracts handed out with the justification of 'going all in.' Adding the possible $10m - $15m in guarantees it may have taken to get Pierce ripped away from Indy kills a TON of our off season. He got $84m guaranteed... would we have had to go to $95m, or even $100m to get him here? Thats literally what we paid Oweh / Okonkwo / Chanel in guarantees. I imagine you cross all 3 of those guys off the list if we land Pierce.

So, again… if our speculation is true (and it is important that we keep that in mind)…

What does that say about this front office?

IF this is true, it means we got lucky Pierce didn’t sign here and we were able to spend cash on other players that improve us in a much more impactful way.

I don’t want to minimize how much Pierce could have helped our offense, but at the cost of three-ish other signings that could have been devastating to this offseason…

And again, IF this is all true…

That’s a really bad look on the FO.

Of course, we’ll probably never really know. But it’s a sobering thought.

 

[HOF44]

If I’m reading the cap rules correctly you can carryover 11% of the cap yearly. You must spend 89%. The cap this year is 301,200,000. So the max carryover would be 33,132,000. Any not spent over that is just gone. But just to add the 89% is calculated over a rolling 4 year period. So not sure how that fits in.