The 2026 Free Agency Thread

[Always Commander Never Captain]

Interesting:

"Aiyuk’s best play is to show up for training camp and wait to be released. The 49ers’ best play is to do nothing until he does. When he does, the 49ers would be wise to release him before he suffers a new injury that would put them on the hook for another major financial obligation."

Brandon Aiyuk has a message for the 49ers: "Stop running from the belt"

49ers continue to squat on Aiyuk's contract, because they can.

www.nbcsports.com

So if SF had mandatory minicamp next week, and Aiyuk showed up as rumored, and then got hurt, SF would be on the hook for his 2026 salary. So the smart thing for SF to do would be, release Aiyuk as soon as he walked through the door.

With minicamp canceled, that decision is kicked down the road a little, while the money they've already paid him continues to get stretched out a little more against the cap.

Total coincidence that they're doing something they've never done before by canceling the entire minicamp. Kyle and Lynch are known for their absence of pettiness. They'd never let revenge blind them to potential damage to the team readiness/chemistry. The rookies will be fine with a little less prep before their first NFL season.

That's not a real strategy a team would use. The trainers would have him off to the side and he would not be practicing with the team. If he got hurt or claimed to get hurt during work on the side with trainers they would claim it was a pre-existing injury and put him on the NFI.

If they do so, they can still void his guarantees and bonuses for that year.

Now he could contest that...but given his track record of not contesting the DNR list and just disappearing it's a pretty good chance he just doesn't contest it either.

 

[skinsinparadise]

 

[DWinzit]

My gut feeling - Either everyone in the building is buying into Blough bringing out the best the current WR group and not needing help, or they don't think Boutte, like Jennings moves the needle enough to bring him in

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

It's certainly looking that way. They did make a run at Pierce and Doubs, I didn't want Pierce at that number but Doubs would look pretty damn nice right about now.

 

[skinsinparadise]

My gut feeling - Either everyone in the building is buying into Blough bringing out the best the current WR group and not needing help, or they don't think Boutte, like Jennings moves the needle enough to bring him in

This regime has a history of talking themselves into the status quo at WR, and it looks like they got some passionate backers here who believe in their self scouting on that front. I personally don't, I don't think they've proven to be great at self scouting the weapons on the team where I am just going to trust their instincts.

But yeah my point is no doubt that they can convince themselves internally as to what they have -- it would be on brand. And yeah I can see them not thinking Boutee moves the needle enough if they make a move.

I am just thinking that they already have Aiyuk penciled in, and that while they might like their building as is at Wr, they are thinking Aiyuk will bolster it and he provides some safety net.

 

[burgold]

As someone who continually has talked themselves out of buying a stock because the price per share was too high compared to its value I do sympathize with them. More times than not, the growth stock I wanted continued to rise so it would have been fine to buy high, but it is distasteful to buy high for something medium. There are also plenty of times where the stock that I would have had to buy at the premium was just about to hit its ceiling and was about to go lower.

MInd you, a stock is different than a player in many ways.

 

[Discobob]

My gut feeling - Either everyone in the building is buying into Blough bringing out the best the current WR group and not needing help, or they don't think Boutte, like Jennings moves the needle enough to bring him in

This seems likely, but with one caveat.... they are expecting that there will be cuts during training camp that may be worth picking up... but they are fine working with what they have currently if they need to.

 

[burgold]

As someone who continually has talked themselves out of buying a stock because the price per share was too high compared to its value I do sympathize with them. More times than not, the growth stock I wanted continued to rise so it would have been fine to buy high, but it is distasteful to buy high for something medium. There are also plenty of times where the stock that I would have had to buy at the premium was just about to hit its ceiling and was about to go lower.

MInd you, a stock is different than a player in many ways.

Building on my own thought.

Boute would likely be an improvement for this year. That's good. The next question to ask is whether he is a player the team wants in 2027 or 2028. If he is, he's worth a draft pick. If he's a one year rental, then unless you are sure you are on target for a deep playoff run it's a waste to trade draft picks for him.

In most respects, that's why I grade the Deebo trade as a failure still despite many on this board disagreeing with me. The reason's simple. Deebo is not here. The draft pick would have been. With that fifth, maybe we find a gem or a good special teamer or a premier backup. Possibly, we get a bust. But the player would be here. Deebo is not. In 2026, we get zero out of Deebo. That's a wasted pick. A bust of pick. No matter how good Deebo was for us last year, he is off the team and so the trade, in my books, was a failure.

This is why I favor Diggs for a one-year deal or Aiyuk on a one-year prove it deal over a trade unless the guy we trade for is someone who we really believe will become a long term starter. Santana, for example, was a great trade. I can imagine BJT working out. I don't know if Boute is who we want to build our long term wide receiver corp around. If he's not I might trade a player for him, but not a pick.

 

[KDawg]

I know we are all on this roller coaster and the point of message boards is discussion. So this next point I bring up fully understands those facets of- I’m not trying to stifle conversation, change the way forums work, etc… now with that disclaimer…

It looks like we are standing pat at wide receiver. The only potential addition is Aiyuk, and I’m not even sold we’re in on him at this point.

Peters will be judged on whether this works or doesn’t. And it can. But this regime loves to gamble.

I like the cajones that takes. Not sure I like the mindset.

 

[CapsCommies]

I know we are all on this roller coaster and the point of message boards is discussion. So this next point I bring up fully understands those facets of- I’m not trying to stifle conversation, change the way forums work, etc… now with that disclaimer…

It looks like we are standing pat at wide receiver. The only potential addition is Aiyuk, and I’m not even sold we’re in on him at this point.

Peters will be judged on whether this works or doesn’t. And it can. But this regime loves to gamble.

I like the cajones that takes. Not sure I like the mindset.

Don't think you can say this until Diggs ends up somewhere. Very possible we're in on him.

 

[Always Commander Never Captain]

I know we are all on this roller coaster and the point of message boards is discussion. So this next point I bring up fully understands those facets of- I’m not trying to stifle conversation, change the way forums work, etc… now with that disclaimer…

It looks like we are standing pat at wide receiver. The only potential addition is Aiyuk, and I’m not even sold we’re in on him at this point.

Peters will be judged on whether this works or doesn’t. And it can. But this regime loves to gamble.

I like the cajones that takes. Not sure I like the mindset.

I think we're fully set for now. I think we are waiting until say August to see how everyone looks after an off-season. New scheme, new additions. Are there aspects of the offense that really aren't clicking, such as 3rd down passing packages, etc?

The 2027 draft is extremely highly valued by an the NFL teams. Nobody wants to give up picks yet if they think the roster can still make it work.

Harsh realities have not hit yet and are giving away to hopes still.

 

[KDawg]

Don't think you can say this until Diggs ends up somewhere. Very possible we're in on him.

More likely that we aren’t.

 

[CapsCommies]

More likely that we aren’t.

Based on?

 

[skinsinparadise]

I know we are all on this roller coaster and the point of message boards is discussion. So this next point I bring up fully understands those facets of- I’m not trying to stifle conversation, change the way forums work, etc… now with that disclaimer…

It looks like we are standing pat at wide receiver. The only potential addition is Aiyuk, and I’m not even sold we’re in on him at this point.

Peters will be judged on whether this works or doesn’t. And it can. But this regime loves to gamble.

I like the cajones that takes. Not sure I like the mindset.

If there is a position that Peters has the cajones about for all three years its WR. Not sure I like the mindset either.

But clearly some on this thread dig it and or simply trusts Peters instincts at this spot. And in all my years debating topics, this one might be top 5 the most heated, which somewhat surprises me.

To me, Peters instincts have not been vindicated yet. People cite 2024, and to me 2024 was OK. I'd give him a C grade though not an F as to WR that year. Jayden ran for almost 900 yards so when a WR wasn't open he can take off. When people say just let Jayden elevate the WRs, at least part of that point is run Jayden, run. I give Peters an F at WR for 2025. So for me he averages a D at WR and in turn hasn't earned my trust where that I am just going to assume players who have never done this or that will do it for the first time this season. Like you say its possible but will don't know. And will do know thus far Peters doesn't have the Midas touch at WR.

It's not that I can't come up with the narratives that some here have to back Peters instincts. lol, I know the best case scenarios for these guys. 3 of their new additions are dudes I pushed hard for on the draft-FA thread. lol, since some of the key variables involve players I touted, I think I can do a better job selling it than some here do it, ironically. But we won't know until we know.

To me the more time passes their plan seems likely this

A. they were willing to shoot high for a WR #2
B. If they don't get one they will fall back to Aiyuk

And the plan is playing out. as time as gone by, I am gathering they are surprised that Aiyuk hasn't been released yet and are talking themselves into the current WR corp with a per committee-strength approach. Dyami on screens and posts. Burks in more red zone stuff-possession. Or whatever they have in mind. And ultimately even if Aiyuk is signed late, they will incorporate him worse case in the committee.

 

[KDawg]

Based on?

The entire offseason?

 

[CapsCommies]

The entire offseason?

In which they made offers on multiple FA WRs and drafted a guy in the 3rd round?

"Close but no cigar" does not a problem solve, but I don't think it's evident that they're out on Diggs just yet. I wouldn't bet on it, but I wouldn't rule it out, either.

 

[NickyJ]

The team tried to sign those players and failed. Diggs has been free and clear of legal trouble for weeks. The Commies would be foolhardy to sit on their hands and let another WR sit for too long on the market if they were really interested in him.

 

[KDawg]

In which they made offers on multiple FA WRs and drafted a guy in the 3rd round?

"Close but no cigar" does not a problem solve, but I don't think it's evident that they're out on Diggs just yet. I wouldn't bet on it, but I wouldn't rule it out, either.

I don’t rule anything else. But this team’s history under Peters says we won’t make a move like Diggs.

 

[Conn]

In which they made offers on multiple FA WRs and drafted a guy in the 3rd round?

"Close but no cigar" does not a problem solve, but I don't think it's evident that they're out on Diggs just yet. I wouldn't bet on it, but I wouldn't rule it out, either.

Keim keeps swatting the thought aside in favor of Aiyuk every times it comes up, which has made me think it’s definitely not an open topic of discussion around the building if they ARE secretly interested in Diggs. And there’s really no reason for it to be a state secret compared to many of the things Keim hints at ahead of time

Really seems to me like they have zero interest in Diggs, which wouldn’t be my preference

Only people who even talk about it as an option are national media folks who are looking at rosters and guessing what the best fit would be. Many in local media are advocating for it, but nobody with a whiff of a report that it could actually happen unless I’ve missed it.

Truly seems to be Aiyuk as a roster garnish, or stand pat

 

[burgold]

The team tried to sign those players and failed. Diggs has been free and clear of legal trouble for weeks. The Commies would be foolhardy to sit on their hands and let another WR sit for too long on the market if they were really interested in him.

OTOH, to my knowledge no team has even brought him in for a physical in those several weeks which makes it likely that it's Diggs' team who are setting on their hands. Maybe they are waiting for an injury so they can jack up the price to a deseperate team? Maybe Diggs just doesn't want to participate in OTAs? Who knows?