The 2026 Free Agency Thread

[skinsinparadise]

As I said, I really think it was a philosophical choice more than being cheap.

Peters wanted to build through the draft. The one-year contracts were meant to be easily filled patches and players replaced by the pups as they proved themselves ready. It worked in year one and was a disaster in year two. Part of the problem was that they depended on one-year patches for two years and we all know how temporary fixes left too long can lead to bigger problems. The reality was that the draft picks weren't deemed ready to take over or they got injured to so we had to patch the patches with other patches.

This year, possibly because the trades left them on draft picks or maybe because of how poorly the patch strategy worked last year, they leaned very heavily on free agency. Even so, I think there is this philosophical hesitation. It's really the only reason I can see for us not reaching out to Diggs or Hill or some surer thing. Peters still wants to leave open a slot for his draft picks and knows if he signs a free agent then it is almost guaranteed that his draft pick will be forced to sit unless that FA is patch (like Brown or Van Jefferson.)

They traded away a bunch of draft picks leading into that year so not sure if them building through the draft was the driving force. And they ended up with the oldest roster in the NFL.

My gut is:

A. In 2024 they built a roster without really any big signings, a lot of veterans, they didn't spend big and it worked

B. So in 2025, Peters flexed his muscles that he can do it again

And it backfired. But I get the instinct to try.

My favorite example was the Zaccheus signing. That was a hit. And I think it oddly set them back for 2025 with the idea that let those sucker teams like the Bears spend big draft capital, etc on the draft, they don't need to do the same -- coming from the dude who brought you Zaccheus, watch him duplicate that at WR with street free agents and a late 4th round pick.

It's like doing a low budget movie and it outdoes a heavily spent budget in the theaters. So Peters goes, you haven't seen nothing yet, watch me duplicate that same formula. with round 2 of this

Not as dramatic as this of course, but adding some drama to make a point.

 

[burgold]

I do think they surprised themselves with how many trades they executed. Most of them made sense. I still don't think Deebo did just because I think he wasn't so potentially outstanding that you needed to trade resources for them, but I think it is another reason why the "Patch and replace with draft pick strategies failed." If you they had to do it again, I do think they might take a chance on a Lattimore. I do think they feel they got it right getting a Tunsil. I do wonder if they got a do-over if they would not have drafted Connerly and instead moved Coleman to RT. If they didn't get Coleman would they have gotten a WR? Would they have gotten a DE? Would it have been better a better choice?

 

[Conn]

As I said, I really think it was a philosophical choice more than being cheap.

Peters wanted to build through the draft. The one-year contracts were meant to be easily filled patches and players replaced by the pups as they proved themselves ready. It worked in year one and was a disaster in year two. Part of the problem was that they depended on one-year patches for two years and we all know how temporary fixes left too long can lead to bigger problems. The reality was that the draft picks weren't deemed ready to take over or they got injured to so we had to patch the patches with other patches.

This year, possibly because the trades left them on draft picks or maybe because of how poorly the patch strategy worked last year, they leaned very heavily on free agency. Even so, I think there is this philosophical hesitation. It's really the only reason I can see for us not reaching out to Diggs or Hill or some surer thing. Peters still wants to leave open a slot for his draft picks and knows if he signs a free agent then it is almost guaranteed that his draft pick will be forced to sit unless that FA is patch (like Brown or Van Jefferson.)

The problem with that is that no philosophy, no matter how theoretically sound (or effective when put into practice by others), is inherently valuable unless you competently carry it out. We always talk about process > outcome in a macro sense because the point is that over a larger sample size, good process leads to good outcomes more often than not. But that means that over a long enough timeline, you need to have the positive outcomes eventually or the process gets called into question.

If you want to build through the draft and not spend big money often in FA, you can absolutely win Super Bowls doing that. Especially when you’ve got the QB. But you need to not just draft well, you need to sometimes draft extremely well. Until that happens, the philosophy is nothing but wishful thinking and hopes and dreams.

The team-building philosophy is sound. The people carrying it out have yet to prove they can do so. Hopefully we make strides in that direction this year and start to see some of these young cost-controlled rookie contract guys break out and out-perform their contracts, thus building the talent and value of the roster in the way that AP & Co. imagine

 

[Riggo44]

Did you just tell riggo its not a debate?

Some posts you just leave alone...

 

[skinsinparadise]

I do think they surprised themselves with how many trades they executed. Most of them made sense. I still don't think Deebo did just because I think he wasn't so potentially outstanding that you needed to trade resources for them, but I think it is another reason why the "Patch and replace with draft pick strategies failed." If you they had to do it again, I do think they might take a chance on a Lattimore. I do think they feel they got it right getting a Tunsil. I do wonder if they got a do-over if they would not have drafted Connerly and instead moved Coleman to RT. If they didn't get Coleman would they have gotten a WR? Would they have gotten a DE? Would it have been better a better choice?

At the moment looks like Coleman would have been good at RT. And they miscalcluated that Coleman is better at guard, with the thinking he would be a stud LG. But it could evolve to that. Ezeirauku had a good rookie season and edges tend to take time.

I was/am good with the Tunsil trade and Deebo one. I was good with the Lattimore trade but not good with them doubling down on him versus cutting him loose last off season

Overall, I think Peters has done good job. If it weren't for their 2024 run, I'd say average, so so. But I got to give him props for 2024.

My take about him is this:

A. Those who seem to have complete faith in him and think he's kicking ass or close enough and or at a minimuim he's at least been good enough to enjoy the complete benefit of the doubt from fans -- I couldn't disagree more. He's made enough mistakes and miscalcuations, where its perfectly acceptable to question him.

B. I also don't think the opposite extreme where he's a blithering idiot, and is a hot mess. I think he's a smart dude who is likely learning on the job and he will get better over time, and has been ok so far. If some want to say good -- OK but i don't think he's even sniffing being great,

My main beef with him, and who knows this could be Harris holding him back, is the lack of go for it aggression. And not that they don't have any. They have aggression but its B level aggression. It's not like the Eagles or Rams version of aggression.

 

[burgold]

He does seem to be more strategic. Chess players consider their move for minutes. Sometimes though, I agree, chess is the wrong approach especially when the game you're playing is not a turn-based game.

 

[skinsinparadise]

 

[skinsinparadise]

He does seem to be more strategic. Chess players consider their move for minutes. Sometimes though, I agree, chess is the wrong approach when it's not a turn-based game.

Yeah Peters works his ass off by reputation and is no dummy and also supposed to be a great guy. I said this before the off season this year plays out, I'd bet on Peters over Quinn.

I like Peters chances to be great at this job. My main concern is the growing pains period for him ends up wasting Jayden's rookie contract window. But I think he will get there.

It's not that I have no faith in Quinn. But for whatever reason, I have a better feeling about Peters turning into an elite GM than Quinn finding his stride during his 2nd stint -- but i don't rule it out for Quinn.

 

[skinsinparadise]

 

[Ashburn Dave]

My main beef with him, and who knows this could be Harris holding him back, is the lack of go for it aggression. And not that they don't have any. They have aggression but its B level aggression. It's not like the Eagles or Rams version of aggression.

This is my concern that Harris is holding AP back, but we'll never know.

 

[bowhunter]

Rookie kickers will break your heart. Start on fire and then struggle. Takes about 5 teams and 6 seasons before they settle in

 

[NickyJ]

Rookie kickers will break your heart. Start on fire and then struggle. Takes about 5 teams and 6 seasons before they settle in

Changing teams might not work so well, but maybe teams could get more proactive about the firing part. If he misses in a game, fire him from the team the next day he's at the facility, and escort him out. The moment he's out of the building, call his agent, hire him back, and give him a new locker and number. Maybe that's really all the change they need to get inspired.

 

[bowhunter]

Changing teams might not work so well, but maybe teams could get more proactive about the firing part. If he misses in a game, fire him from the team the next day he's at the facility, and escort him out. The moment he's out of the building, call his agent, hire him back, and give him a new locker and number. Maybe that's really all the change they need to get inspired.

You just might be on to something!! Maybe even fire him after each missed practice kick.

 

[DCKey]

Rumor is either Us or Ravens for Diggs

 

[DWinzit]

This guy is a dumbass.
Wonder if they think about bringing in another wr

KSHB’s Matt Foster reports Chiefs WR Rashee Rice violated his probation by testing positive for marijuana.
Rice reportedly tested positive for marijuana, released in court documents dated Tuesday, 19 May. The court order states that the defendant (Rice) was placed in custody Tuesday and has been ordered to serve 30 days in jail, to end 16 June. That places Rice in line to miss organized team activities and mandatory mini-camp. The presence of a controlled substance in his system was a violation of the probation stemming from third degree felony charges levied last July in connection with highway racing that led to bodily harm. This comes a month after the league ruled that there would be no further adjudication resultant from the incident. That could change given recent happenings. Stay tuned, sports fans. Xavier Worthy would be the player to benefit most in a fantasy setting should Rice face additional league discipline

 

[NickyJ]

I don't think Diggs would be a good fit there. He got acquitted. The Chiefs seem to like elevating their own criminals first before trying to invite someone else to a life of crime.

 

[Discobob]

This guy is a dumbass.
Wonder if they think about bringing in another wr

KSHB’s Matt Foster reports Chiefs WR Rashee Rice violated his probation by testing positive for marijuana.
Rice reportedly tested positive for marijuana, released in court documents dated Tuesday, 19 May. The court order states that the defendant (Rice) was placed in custody Tuesday and has been ordered to serve 30 days in jail, to end 16 June. That places Rice in line to miss organized team activities and mandatory mini-camp. The presence of a controlled substance in his system was a violation of the probation stemming from third degree felony charges levied last July in connection with highway racing that led to bodily harm. This comes a month after the league ruled that there would be no further adjudication resultant from the incident. That could change given recent happenings. Stay tuned, sports fans. Xavier Worthy would be the player to benefit most in a fantasy setting should Rice face additional league discipline

This guy's is a moron... full stop

HOWEVER, I'm not sure I understand how it can be illegal to test positive for a legal substance?

Edit: I guess he may live in Kansas where weed is still illegal?

 

[DWinzit]

This guy's is a moron... full stop

HOWEVER, I'm not sure I understand how it can be illegal to test positive for a legal substance?

Edit: I guess he may live in Kansas where weed is still illegal?

Looks like it's due to it being a probationary vio.

"The presence of a controlled substance in his system was a violation of the probation stemming from third degree felony charges"

 

[Discobob]

Looks like it's due to it being a probationary vio.

"The presence of a controlled substance in his system was a violation of the probation stemming from third degree felony charges"

I saw that, but I don't understand that concept of a legal substance being a probationary violation.... seems incongruous (again... not arguing in favor of the player!)

 

[Dah-Dee]

I saw that, but I don't understand that concept of a legal substance being a probationary violation.... seems incongruous (again... not arguing in favor of the player!)

It's all happening in Texas, where possession is still illegal (except medical, which this apparently was not).