The 2026 Free Agency Thread

[KDawg]

Trying to keep my bias for the way OL was handled out of it… here is how I view our situation:

-Tunsil being out was the first major domino to fall that made the OL take a down step.

-Releasing Biadasz, by report, was for reasons. For this conversation that doesn’t matter. They released Biadasz because, based on reports, he wasn’t good enough. They wanted Allegretti to slide in.

-He did, but got hurt quickly. In his career he has played 17 games just once and it was as a guard.

-There was no real backup plan at center after they missed on Linderbaum.

-We hired our assistant OL coach to take over the line. While I am not down on him, that is a tough ask. This line needed a ton of coaching and putting everything on a guy that lacks experience can be difficult.

-Cosmi is our best healthy lineman. No debate there.

-Coleman probably wasn’t wowing them at guard. If so, you don’t look to move him to tackle (unless Wylie scares them that much at tackle… he scares me at tackle.) Coleman is a decent OT on an upward swing. So this could work.

-I thought Paul was a goner this offseason. But we signed him and put him in a competition with an OT to be our LG starter. Not sure that inspires a ton of confidence in many, but Paul had some positive moments.

-Conerly still needs development.

My opinion: Biadasz being let go was the first concern. But Tunsil going down killed their entire OL plan before they even got a chance to see it materialize. Paired with a brand new OC and OL coach (not a shot at them, a lot is now on their shoulders that shouldn’t be) that makes this tough. The only position we’re currently in good shape at is RG.

Cosmi will make things better up front. But I think we need to sign some FAs, and may need to spend some cash, to keep us competitive.

Decker and then slide him to LG if possible when Tunsil is back (if he comes back late in the year) could be a huge help. Just need to figure out how to address center and we could go from “uh oh” to “oh okay”

 

[skinsinparadise]

I get it. I found it frustrating when they missed in a number of centers in the draft that I liked, seemed to fit the scheme, had more experience and graded better than Gulbin.

Once the draft was completed and we had Gulbin and Good-Jones, there were other viable FA's available. The choice to entertain that thought then is biting them in the ass. Just like waiting and putting their trust in Aiyuk. We were lucky Diggs was still available and had interest in playing in Washington so late.

I don't believe this regime foresaw all of this and is sitting back chill about how it played out. If they had to do it over again, I'd bet they sign a veteran center in free agency. A banged-up Allegretti and Good-Jones looking like a train wreck as the backup — I doubt any of that was on the radar.

For me I think there's close to zero chance they played out Good-Jones and Gulbin knowing full well neither was a viable backup, just to stall camp until someone got released — unless they were secretly negotiating with someone like Glasgow (which I doubt, given his social media post on the subject) and the money didn't work out.


Center is so much about chemistry — with the QB and with the rest of the line — that there's zero upside to waiting it out and signing someone at the last minute who'd have two weeks to learn the playbook before Week 1, against a murderers' row of defensive tackles. And that's on top of Allegretti missing most of camp.

It's notable that when Quinn praised Good-Jones, it was almost always about how well he knew the playbook. If this offense leans on play-action, and the previous center was moved on mainly because of struggles calling protections — as has been reported — then bringing in a backup center from another team who has to hit the ground running in two weeks against arguably the best defensive tackle tandem in the NFL doesn't add up. I doubt that was ever the plan. But I think they got no choice and its the plan now.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Trying to keep my bias for the way OL was handled out of it… here is how I view our situation:

-Tunsil being out was the first major domino to fall that made the OL take a down step.

-Releasing Biadasz, by report, was for reasons. For this conversation that doesn’t matter. They released Biadasz because, based on reports, he wasn’t good enough. They wanted Allegretti to slide in.

-He did, but got hurt quickly. In his career he has played 17 games just once and it was as a guard.

-There was no real backup plan at center after they missed on Linderbaum.

-We hired our assistant OL coach to take over the line. While I am not down on him, that is a tough ask. This line needed a ton of coaching and putting everything on a guy that lacks experience can be difficult.

-Cosmi is our best healthy lineman. No debate there.

-Coleman probably wasn’t wowing them at guard. If so, you don’t look to move him to tackle (unless Wylie scares them that much at tackle… he scares me at tackle.) Coleman is a decent OT on an upward swing. So this could work.

-I thought Paul was a goner this offseason. But we signed him and put him in a competition with an OT to be our LG starter. Not sure that inspires a ton of confidence in many, but Paul had some positive moments.

-Conerly still needs development.

My opinion: Biadasz being let go was the first concern. But Tunsil going down killed their entire OL plan before they even got a chance to see it materialize. Paired with a brand new OC and OL coach (not a shot at them, a lot is now on their shoulders that shouldn’t be) that makes this tough. The only position we’re currently in good shape at is RG.

Cosmi will make things better up front. But I think we need to sign some FAs, and may need to spend some cash, to keep us competitive.

Decker and then slide him to LG if possible when Tunsil is back (if he comes back late in the year) could be a huge help. Just need to figure out how to address center and we could go from “uh oh” to “oh okay”

My guess — some based on leaks, some based on what just makes sense to me.
The original concept:

• LT: Tunsil — a stud
• LG: Coleman — with a full offseason to focus on the spot, he develops into it
• C: Allegretti — maybe solid at best, but that's how they viewed Biadasz too, and he's reportedly smarter and a better leader
• RG: Cosmi — a stud
• RT: Conerly — improved as last season progressed, expected to take another step

Depth looked fine on paper: Paul could play either guard spot, same with Wylie, and Coleman could kick out to tackle with Paul sliding to guard if needed. As for center depth — they swung and missed on Linderbaum, and apparently on another target too. Beyond that, I am guessing they were thinking the remaining options really that much better than Good-Jones? They clearly value smart, high-IQ centers, which supposedly is Good-Jones' calling card — and they also drafted a center.

Then camp happened:
Allegretti got hurt. Tunsil went down. Coleman, according to every beat writer, was beating out Paul at LG. Paul wasn't having a good camp. Conerly didn't make the climb they expected and had an up-and-down camp.
Coleman moved to LT. Allegretti, who they'd hoped would be back sooner, reaggravated his injury. Paul looked shaky at LG. Conerly stayed inconsistent. Add it up: a decent-but-unspectacular LT, a shaky LG, a Cosmi who's genuinely very good, and a still-inconsistent Conerly. And now Allegretti — who himself had a shaky season at guard last year — is somehow supposed to be the savior at center, banged up, with almost no training camp reps, because there's no one behind him.

It's no surprise that when national media ranks this the worst O-line in the NFL, even one person whose actually watched camp are agreeing they might be right.

My most optimistic take: we catch a break and a decent center gets released, Paul rediscovers last year's form, and Conerly keeps developing. That's the path out of this.

 

[Discobob]

Our current online bites my ass

Can we sign a FA olineman that doesn't bite my ass?

Edited to honor the request below ⬇️

 

[Primus Porcus]

Folks, this is a free agency thread. While i understand that Free Agency may be where we look to address C, we're bleeding way over. There is a thread dedicated to the Offensive line, so lets steer this thread back to its original topic, and move the depth of this conversation over to the OLine thread please.

 

[DWinzit]

I don't believe this regime foresaw all of this and is sitting back chill about how it played out. If they had to do it over again, I'd bet they sign a veteran center in free agency. A banged-up Allegretti and Good-Jones looking like a train wreck as the backup — I doubt any of that was on the radar.

For me I think there's close to zero chance they played out Good-Jones and Gulbin knowing full well neither was a viable backup, just to stall camp until someone got released — unless they were secretly negotiating with someone like Glasgow (which I doubt, given his social media post on the subject) and the money didn't work out.


Center is so much about chemistry — with the QB and with the rest of the line — that there's zero upside to waiting it out and signing someone at the last minute who'd have two weeks to learn the playbook before Week 1, against a murderers' row of defensive tackles. And that's on top of Allegretti missing most of camp.

It's notable that when Quinn praised Good-Jones, it was almost always about how well he knew the playbook. If this offense leans on play-action, and the previous center was moved on mainly because of struggles calling protections — as has been reported — then bringing in a backup center from another team who has to hit the ground running in two weeks against arguably the best defensive tackle tandem in the NFL doesn't add up. I doubt that was ever the plan. But I think they got no choice and its the plan now.

To me I'd rather see them trade now for the right C and not wait for just the reason you mention, they need to create chemistry. 2 weeks is better than waiting until cut down days. However, at least bringing in that newly created FA would both fill a roster void and fit into this thread primus's lol

I wasn't familiar with DQ's comments on Good-Jones. That scares me because at the end of the day, the guy sucks as a player whether he knows the playbook or not. His play should have alarmed DQ and the offensive coaching staff...why hasn't it?

 

[burgold]

To me I'd rather see them trade now for the right C and not wait for just the reason you mention, they need to create chemistry. 2 weeks is better than waiting until cut down days. However, at least bringing in that newly created FA would both fill a roster void and fit into this thread primus's lol

I wasn't familiar with DQ's comments on Good-Jones. That scares me because at the end of the day, the guy sucks as a player whether he knows the playbook or not. His play should have alarmed DQ and the offensive coaching staff...why hasn't it?

I blame modern practices. With no hitting, Good-Jones probably held up.

(Not sure if serious)

 

[skinsinparadise]

To me I'd rather see them trade now for the right C and not wait for just the reason you mention, they need to create chemistry. 2 weeks is better than waiting until cut down days. However, at least bringing in that newly created FA would both fill a roster void and fit into this thread primus's lol

I wasn't familiar with DQ's comments on Good-Jones. That scares me because at the end of the day, the guy sucks as a player whether he knows the playbook or not. His play should have alarmed DQ and the offensive coaching staff...why hasn't it?

I gather they would, too. I think about zero chance this is part of some master plan where they knew precamp that Good-Jones-Gulbin weren't the answers as backups yet they wasted camp as for O line continuity and chemistry wtih Jayden just to wait for the cut downs with 2 weeks to go.

As Keim referenced they missed not just on Linderbaum but another too. And I gather they decided to ride if out versus signing another FA signing -- and clearly that didn't work out.

So the question now is who can they trade for? Or who be released?

 

[DWinzit]

I gather they would, too. I think about zero chance this is part of some master plan where they knew precamp that Good-Jones-Gulbin weren't the answers as backups yet they wasted camp as for O line continuity and chemistry wtih Jayden just to wait for the cut downs with 2 weeks to go.

As Keim referenced they missed not just on Linderbaum but another too. And I gather they decided to ride if out versus signing another FA signing -- and clearly that didn't work out.

I wonder if the other backup plan had been the draft and that 5th round selection, As I had mentioned, there were numerous good C's that graded in the late 3rd-4th rounds. They all went just before our 147 pick. Lew went at 128, Hecht and 144 and Brailsford and 146.

I continue to expect to hear the team announcing the acquisition of a vet C via trade or newly cut FA

 

[Boone]

Sometimes when there is a situation like we currently find ourselves in, it's less about blame and more about what are you going to do about it. Contrary to some fan beliefs, a GM and Front Office do not control events. They can't draft anyone they want, they can't compel players to sign in free agency, they can't control injuries and who they happen to, and they have limited resources. We all know these things, but when we are leveling criticism we give them short shrift.

Peters tried to get us an outstanding center this offseason. It didn't work out. Allegretti getting hurt has shone a glaring light on that failed plan. Neither of those things could be helped. It's really about what AP does about it now that deserves the most attention. If I were AP, I'd clench my teeth and try to pull off a trade for a viable starting center. It may or may not be possible at this late stage. I am more comfortable judging him based on how he reacts to the 'crisis' (if we want to call it that) than how we got here which may or may not have been under his control.

 

[skinsinparadise]

I wonder if the other backup plan had been the draft and that 5th round selection, As I had mentioned, there were numerous good C's that graded in the late 3rd-4th rounds. They all went just before our 147 pick. Lew went at 128, Hecht and 144 and Brailsford and 146.

I continue to expect to hear the team announcing the acquisition of a vet C via trade or newly cut FA

Maybe that's in addition, but Keim referenced free agency specifically. It seems clear they missed on two targets — we know Linderbaum was one. The mistake seems to be that once those fell through, they decided "screw it, let's see if Good-Jones and a draft pick can handle it as backups."

We'll see. Maybe they get lucky with a release or a good trade. But if you gave them truth serum, I'd guess they regret not signing another veteran center when they had the chance. That's just how the NFL goes sometimes — they took a swing and it might not work out, so be it. It's kind of like Logan Paulsen's take on the Ravens joint practice: there's real value in getting exposed "now," in seeing what's not working before it matters.

I agree with that in general. My issue is that center — and the O-line as a whole — is more chemistry-driven than most positions. Tishler, who played O-line in college, has bemoaned the idea of Good-Jones getting so many reps with Jayden as basically wasted time, since chemistry is essential at that spot. Center also works hand-in-hand with the guards on combo blocks, and there's some thought that Paul's struggles in camp are partly a byproduct of shaky center play. The position has ripple effects across the whole line — and that's before you even factor in that defensive coordinators love to overload and exploit the weakest spot on an O-line.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Question is what's next? Boone hits the Texans glut at center, that might be the best shot because as for the Bills glut seems like their O line is a bit banged up so they might not be moving anyone.

As for Glasgow, yes he's old, but he was apparently good last year.

 

[DWinzit]

I imagine Paul struggles because he doesn't have a legit C on one side or Tunsil on the other.

The 3 Josh Taylor mentions - Pocic, Cushenberry and Mays are where the biggest mistake was made after the draft. Any one of those were who I expected to here we signed. Any of the three would have been just the competition Allegretti needed

 

[skinsinparadise]

I imagine Paul struggles because he doesn't have a legit C on one side or Tunsil on the other.

The 3 Josh Taylor mentions - Pocic, Cushenberry and Mays are where the biggest mistake was made after the draft. Any one of those were who I expected to here we signed. Any of the three would have been just the competition Allegretti needed

The best spin I can give it for Peters is it's possible they rolled the dice on their backups and simply thought if they were wrong, options could be released close to the season. But in that gamble, it could maybe work if Allegretti was healthy but he got banged up. Because of that injury, there is a good chance that the new backup whomever that is gets thrown into the fire fast -- so not much time to build chemistry and learn the playbook. And also some say these calf type injuries are not always the easiest healers and can sometimes trigger another injury -- so in short the "backup" could end up being the starter for most of the season.

Will see. If they don't trade for a center, I'll be glued to twitter to see who is released on Sunday. Not every gamble works out. This one has blown up some in their face thus far. I defended the move at the time because I thought there was a plan at the minimum to give Allegretti legit competiton. But it didn't unfold that way. And the problem was compounded by the Allegretti injury. It's sort like taking a risk on a stock, and everything surrounded that move compounded the risk and it blew up in your face which made the risk look much worse. It can still turn out well, but they need some good luck.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Giants with two trades now the last few days

 

[Kalu44]

Okoye is a big boy. Nice move by the Giants unfortunately.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

I'm glad we didn't do this. We got a more productive receiver from the Patriots last year without giving anything up. Though, apparently he's been having a good camp.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

Good-Jones -- this years version of Chris Moore? We love our backups and we are riding with what we got until the bitter end.

You keep saying this.

You realize Chris Moore was cut in the cutdown to 53, right? He was cut in the cutdown to 53, signed to the Practice Squad, and then elevated to the 53 on September 15th after Terry got hurt.

We didn't ride with him until we had to.

JGG and the center position is an entirely different mess where we didn't sign anybody to be a backup at all. Completely different catastrophe.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

God Will Harris was such a bust. Cut

The head scratcher move for me after 2024 was why they didn't sign Jeremy Chinn. He seemed to play well in the role he had. Fans were mad we didn't keep Curl, but Chinn was better.

He wouldn't have cost a lot to retain. He was one of the 1 year guys for 2024 which worked out really well, and I was really surprised when they moved off of him for Harris.

Then Harris got hurt (along with everybody else) and then got beat out by Reaves.

Not a good signing by Peters. Probably should have just stayed the course with Chinn. Don't have a problem moving on from Curl, and they did find somebody better. But the Chinn for Harris thing was odd.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

Keim mentioned their interest in Diggs multiple times — he flat-out said Diggs was the only WR they were interested in on the market.

So saying we had no warning about the Diggs signing isn't accurate. There was a ton of talk about Aiyuk being the target, and after that fell apart, it shifted to Diggs. I posted that Keim thought it would likely happen. If you don't recall that, cool — but it happened.

That said, you never know for sure until it's official. I said multiple times that if they ultimately signed Diggs — and closer to the signing, I thought they would — I'd lay out praise for Peters on it. And I did. Someone mentioned after the signing that some fans were still discontented — I weighed in that I'm not one of them.

You're right, the phrase Keim said over and over was they were "monitoring" the situation. And the way he said it and talked about it, it was a direct quote from somebody in the organization. Because he would then go on to say, "what does monitoring mean? It means they are talking to Digg's camp. You can't monitor without talking." Then he also said, "Diggs won't sign somewhere else without them knowing." Those are close to direct quotes from Keim. Then, of course, he ended it with his crutch phrase, "so there you go." Which he says like 46 times a podcast.

What he never said or reported until it happened was "it's going to happen." But the fact the sides were talking and were interested in each other was known for weeks before the actual signing. Basically as soon as the Aiyuk meltdown reached epic proportions and the team turned their Plan C from Aiyuk to Diggs. I think there's no question:

Plan A: Pierce
Plan B: Doubs
Plan C: Aiyuk

I don't think the Commanders thought in a million years Aiyuk wouldn't do what he needed to do to get released, so they could sign him for cheap whenever. Then he completely melted down. Then they had to figure out a Plan D. And Diggs wasn't really an option for a while because of his legal situations. Once those cleared up, and the timing coincided with Aiyuk's meltdown, the plan changed.

And then Keim started reporting it.