The 2026 Free Agency Thread

[Discobob]

We're top 10 in cash spending... why are we acting like he's pinching pennies?

2026 NFL Team Salary Cash Tracker

A real-time look at the 2026 salary cash totals for each NFL team.

www.spotrac.com

View attachment 14902

Literally just beat me to posting this same link. I don't think people understand the finances of running a team. We have NOT been cheap... its fine if you want us to sign more players, but lack of willingness to spend is not based on data...

 

[Primus Porcus]

Literally just beat me to posting this same link. I don't think people understand the finances of running a team. We have NOT been cheap... its fine if you want us to sign more players, but lack of willingness to spend is not based on data...

And equally, it's fine if you think they've spent in the 'wrong' places, but they're spending money.

 

[Primus Porcus]

Also, we're 3rd in total signing value...

Free Agency Spending | Over the Cap

Free Agency Spending | Over the Cap

overthecap.com

 

[HOF44]

We're top 10 in cash spending... why are we acting like he's pinching pennies?

2026 NFL Team Salary Cash Tracker

A real-time look at the 2026 salary cash totals for each NFL team.

www.spotrac.com

View attachment 14902

2024 19th
2025 18th
2026 8th

They did pick it up this year. But over the first 3 years keeping that cash spend down. So we improved but still feels like we are limited by something other than what is best for the on field team.

 

[Anselmheifer]

We're top 10 in cash spending... why are we acting like he's pinching pennies?

2026 NFL Team Salary Cash Tracker

A real-time look at the 2026 salary cash totals for each NFL team.

www.spotrac.com

View attachment 14902

Because the team looks one more expenditure away from potentially being a SB contender or contender to win the NFCE.

It’s like we are planning to go to the outer banks and another $250 would have bought Hawaii.

 

[bowhunter]

A Bezos, Musk, Walton would be able to access the cash needed. Sounds like our owner might be overextended at his net worth to operate the franchises he has effectively. Just saying it’s getting to the point that to buy a franchise and have the cash needed it takes like a minimum 50B net worth. Cause like you said all of these guys have wealth tied up in assets. But the higher the net worth generally the higher the access to cash you have.

As was mentioned earlier, it may not be Harris who is the limiting factor, there are other owners. If someone owns 10% of the franchise, then they would be required to put up 10% of the cash cap. So it may well be the other owners involved who are cash strapped and limiting the yearly expenses for everyone else.

 

[Discobob]

2024 19th
2025 18th
2026 8th

They did pick it up this year. But over the first 3 years keeping that cash spend down. So we improved but still feels like we are limited by something other than what is best for the on field team.View attachment 14904

I would not blame them for gradually upping the spending on the heels of having just purchased the team. I don't think it's fair to hold that against them...

 

[Primus Porcus]

Because the team looks one more expenditure away from potentially being a SB contender or contender to win the NFCE.

It’s like we are planning to go to the outer banks and another $250 would have bought Hawaii.

Ok, so they're spending top 10 money in cash, but because they wont spend an additional $15m or whatever is, then now they're cheap? That doesn't make sense.

I can understand an argument that maybe they're making a mistake not signing a guy, but I don't think it equates to being frugal, or a lack of spending, because EVERYTHING else has shown that they ARE willing to spend if they believe it's a good investment.


That's like going to a premium restaurant, ordering $200 steak and a $40 appetizer. Then ordering Pinot Noir because you like the flavor for $15, instead of the Cab for $75 because you dont like that, and people calling you cheap for not spending on the more expensive wine. Question the taste, not the spending.

 

[burgold]

Ok, so they're spending top 10 money in cash, but because they wont spend an additional $15m or whatever is, then now they're cheap? That doesn't make sense.

Tongue in cheek: It's a little like that kid who gets a bike, a game station, a full set of Star Wars action figures, tickets to have lunch with their hero, but because they didn't get that one video game they really wanted they wanted they scream that their parents hate them and never get them anything good.

 

[Primus Porcus]

Tongue in cheek: It's a little like that kid who gets a bike, a game station, a full set of Star Wars action figures, tickets to have lunch with their hero, but because they didn't get that one video game they really wanted they wanted they scream that their parents hate them and never get them anything good.

Or goes at them and says "god why do you guys have to be so cheap? It's just another $60"

 

[HOF44]

If the last 2 years we were in the top 10 I would agree. But they almost got their franchise QB killed and murmurs of cheap were starting in the press. Let’s see how it plays out. Is this year the future or the last 2???

 

[Riggo44]

We're top 10 in cash spending... why are we acting like he's pinching pennies?

How dare you point out facts in a completely made up argument!

 

[burgold]

If the last 2 years we were in the top 10 I would agree. But they almost got their franchise QB killed and murmurs of cheap we’re starting on the press. Let’s see how it plays out.

Even then, cheap is probably a relative term. They decided they needed to spend to fix the oline. That's where they invested.

I honestly believe this was a philosophical choice. I think Peters didn't want to sign free agents to long term, lucrative contracts because he wanted his draft picks to have room to step up. When you sign a free agent to a big contract, there's a pressure to play and start them. Peters wanted to build a foundation based on the draft. So, he got these one-year rentals hoping they had one good year left and by the time that year ended his picks would be phased in. It didn't work out because too many of the rookies either weren't ready to step up or the coordinators (who've been fired) trusted vets and didn't give them their chance to grow on the field. Either way, I think it was more of a design flaw than institutional cheapness.

I also think 2024 fooled Peters and he thought he could keep milking those one year vets on their last legs until he built up the team with enough draft picks.

 

[Riggo44]

Tongue in cheek: It's a little like that kid who gets a bike, a game station, a full set of Star Wars action figures, tickets to have lunch with their hero, but because they didn't get that one video game they really wanted they wanted they scream that their parents hate them and never get them anything good.

 

[ES1974]

We're top 10 in cash spending... why are we acting like he's pinching pennies?

2026 NFL Team Salary Cash Tracker

A real-time look at the 2026 salary cash totals for each NFL team.

www.spotrac.com

View attachment 14902

We have 50m in cap space and a very average group of CBs and WRs, premier positions, that’s why.

 

[Primus Porcus]

We have 50m in cap space and a very average group of CBs and WRs, premier positions, that’s why.

Again, does not justify the claim of cheap.

Maybe they didn't spend where YOU wanted them to... but they spent. Not cheap.

 

[ES1974]

Again, does not justify the claim of cheap.

Maybe they didn't spend where YOU wanted them to... but they spent. Not cheap.

I think it does. All teams have the same cap space as a base number. We’ve still got the second most left, or there abouts.

Saving it for another day. Something doesn’t sit right, IMO, but I appreciate we have differing perspectives.

 

[Anselmheifer]

Ok, so they're spending top 10 money in cash, but because they wont spend an additional $15m or whatever is, then now they're cheap? That doesn't make sense.

I can understand an argument that maybe they're making a mistake not signing a guy, but I don't think it equates to being frugal, or a lack of spending, because EVERYTHING else has shown that they ARE willing to spend if they believe it's a good investment.


That's like going to a premium restaurant, ordering $200 steak and a $40 appetizer. Then ordering Pinot Noir because you like the flavor for $15, instead of the Cab for $75 because you dont like that, and people calling you cheap for not spending on the more expensive wine. Question the taste, not the spending.

Yes. I think it’s cheap. How many teams could potentially be in an actual Super Bowl window? How many teams have their franchise QB on a rookie contract?

These guys re billionaires. The teams generate an absolute shit ton of money.

It would be almost nothing to find 15 million for these guys.

I’m not saying that generally they are cheap. I’m saying that this one thing is cheap. And that if we had to cut our starting center for cash, that’s cheap.

If you’re this close to having a complete roster, and all you needed was a WR2, a center, a mid range CB, and maybe an average FS,then it’s cheap not to sign those guys if they are available and you’re $50 million under the cap.

 

[Chris]

What defines a Super Bowl window?

 

[Anselmheifer]

What defines a Super Bowl window?

For us? We were one game away 2 years ago. We have an elite franchise QB. We now have solid pieces all over the roster and with a few additions could have a roster that with Jayden, should compete to win the NFCE or go super deep in the playoffs.