The 2025 Free Agency Thread

[Gooseneck]

We have several of those: Ertz, Ekeler, Lattimore, and Wagner. I would say we’re better for it. It just depends on the particular player and the situation.

Point well taken. George Allen took castoffs from other teams to the super bowl.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

Anyone other than BRob and Ekler are reasonably likely to get cut. iF they sign a back like Chubb, it's because he's gonna be on the roster.

Id be up for out paying other teams for Chubb - risk reward is totally there, especially given our lackluster RB room.

If they sign Chubb, assuming health and he looks ok, one of them is getting cut.

They’re only going to carry 3 RBs on the 53 unless the 4th is a returner. And I doubt JCM aka Bill is getting cut unless he looks awful.

CRod and McNichols are both probably already on the outside. Another signing and one of BRob and Ekler will probably be out.

 

[Boone]

If he can play (ie... is 'healthy') Ekeler is safe - he's right up there with Deebo in terms of being a dynamic threat even at his age. The only reason they would move on from Ekeler is if he has another concussion or can't stay on the field with other injuries. When he's out there, the offense is on another level.

 

[SkinsLife]

We have several of those: Ertz, Ekeler, Lattimore, and Wagner. I would say we’re better for it. It just depends on the particular player and the situation.

Stark difference.. we didn't have to trade for any of those vets except for Latimore, who so far looks like a major overpay.
I am not against veteran players... I am against trading significant draft capital for often injured players in the twilight of their career playing the most physically demanding/ inj prone position on the field. Lets not double down on the Latimore mistake with a 29y old RB coming off of 3 surgeries over the last 3 years

 

[Boone]

Stark difference.. we didn't have to trade for any of those vets except for Latimore, who so far looks like a major overpay.
I am not against veteran players... I am against trading significant draft capital for often injured players in the twilight of their career playing the most physically demanding/ inj prone position on the field. Lets not double down on the Latimore mistake with a 29y old RB coming off of 3 surgeries over the last 3 years

I assume you are talking about Chubb when you say 'twilight of his career'? Lattimore is 28 and can probably play another 5 - 6 years at a high level if he returns to form... I'm kind of surprised folks are so down on him given he was playing with a 50-50 hammy and trying to cover some of the NFLs best WRs. Tough crowd.

 

[aledb11]

I assume you are talking about Chubb when you say 'twilight of his career'? Lattimore is 28 and can probably play another 5 - 6 years at a high level if he returns to form... I'm kind of surprised folks are so down on him given he was playing with a 50-50 hammy and trying to cover some of the NFLs best WRs. Tough crowd.

Almost like they have never themselves played football. Or had an injury. And especially never both at the same time.

 

[Chris]

Lattimore hasn’t played more than 10 games in the last 3 seasons. Past performance is no guarantee of future results, but…the trend is not completely ignorable either. Especially when it comes to high-level athletic performance.

 

[Commander Wraith]

Stark difference.. we didn't have to trade for any of those vets except for Latimore, who so far looks like a major overpay.
I am not against veteran players... I am against trading significant draft capital for often injured players in the twilight of their career playing the most physically demanding/ inj prone position on the field. Lets not double down on the Latimore mistake with a 29y old RB coming off of 3 surgeries over the last 3 years

Well, Chubb is a FA

(I’m undecided on bringing him in)

 

[SkinsLife]

I assume you are talking about Chubb when you say 'twilight of his career'? Lattimore is 28 and can probably play another 5 - 6 years at a high level if he returns to form... I'm kind of surprised folks are so down on him given he was playing with a 50-50 hammy and trying to cover some of the NFLs best WRs. Tough crowd.

is there a point there? yes, 29 y old running back is absolutely in the twilight of his career. He played 1 full season out of the last 4. You think his health will improve at age 29? 5-6 more years for Latimore? lol .. i mean if pigs could fly... i guess anything is possible. Give me one starting CB over the age of 29 thats still considered 'good' ....maybe Gilmore?

Almost like they have never themselves played football. Or had an injury. And especially never both at the same time.

almost like you have never watched football or know anything about it

 

[SkinsLife]

Well, Chubb is a FA

(I’m undecided on bringing him in)

yup.. my bad, just realized his is an FA.. still dont want him unless its a vet min deal

 

[Faithful Fan]

Stark difference.. we didn't have to trade for any of those vets except for Latimore, who so far looks like a major overpay.
I am not against veteran players... I am against trading significant draft capital for often injured players in the twilight of their career playing the most physically demanding/ inj prone position on the field. Lets not double down on the Latimore mistake with a 29y old RB coming off of 3 surgeries over the last 3 years

Chubb is a free agent, we would not have to trade any draft capital, but I do agree we should really do our due diligence on his injury before spending much on him. I don’t know about the cost. The rumor mill is mentioning Chicago, Pittsburgh, KC, Dallas, Minnesota, Cleveland, and us as potential landing spots; so there may be some competition for his services.

I still think we could really use his talents if healthy (a big if for sure). Our best back is Ekeler who is on a pitch count. BRob is a JAG. I like the addition of JCM, but it is optimistic to expect much from a 7th round draft pick. And even if you’re higher on those guys than I am, we still don’t have a real power back on the roster. So it is a position of need. Chubb was one of the best in the business when he got hurt in 2023, and I believe he is the type of high character guy who would fit DQ’s culture. I admit I’m biased as a fan of his, but I would love to see him in burgundy and gold. I doubt it happens though.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

If he can play (ie... is 'healthy') Ekeler is safe - he's right up there with Deebo in terms of being a dynamic threat even at his age. The only reason they would move on from Ekeler is if he has another concussion or can't stay on the field with other injuries. When he's out there, the offense is on another level.

I agree unless they sign Chubb. If they sign Chubb, they’re going to have to either put “Bill” on the PS or release one of BRob or Ekler.

It’s possible if they sign Chubb is a swap with BRob.

And I think it’s unlikely they sign Chubb.

But if they do, they’re aren’t keeping 4 RBs on the active roster unless one of them plays ST.

 

[Boone]

is there a point there? yes, 29 y old running back is absolutely in the twilight of his career. He played 1 full season out of the last 4. You think his health will improve at age 29? 5-6 more years for Latimore? lol .. i mean if pigs could fly... i guess anything is possible. Give me one starting CB over the age of 29 thats still considered 'good' ....maybe Gilmore?

almost like you have never watched football or know anything about it

Why are you being aggressive? I wasn't sure who you were talking about (Chubb or Lattimore?). I would agree more with Chubb because he is slightly older and because RB 'windows' of top tier play are more brief. I guess I have more belief in Lattimore than you. But there's no reason for the snark. As Chris said - it's valid to question whether he can stay healthy and on the field. But it doesn't require snark.

 

[aledb11]

almost like you have never watched football or know anything about it

hmmmm.... wonder who would know more? The guy who played or the guy who sits on his couch and rants at a screen?

 

[burgold]

I don’t think I see a free agent running back signing at this point. The running back room may not be great, but it’s full. They re-signed McNichols earlier this year when they didn’t need to because no one else would have. That suggests to me they don’t want to spend for a nominal upgrade.

Personally, I think Peter’s has made a Brandon Coleman-style bet on Bill. Last year, we hated how we ignored left tackle on free agency and the first two rounds of the draft then they drafted Coleman and even though he was hurt said, We’re done.” It worked out pretty well.

This year, everybody screamed running back. Did they find their Brandon Coleman in the seventh round? I think they think they did.

 

[Riggo44]

Lattimore hasn’t played more than 10 games in the last 3 seasons. Past performance is no guarantee of future results, but…the trend is not completely ignorable either. Especially when it comes to high-level athletic performance.

Regular season games. With the playoffs he played in 12 last year.

But overall, he is one of the players who really need to shine this year, along with Payne.

 

[Chris]

Regular season games. With the playoffs he played in 12 last year.

Yes 👍 12 out of a possible 20.

 

[Boone]

I think the problem with Lattimore is that most of his missed time is due to hamstring injuries. He has injured his hamstrings (right and left) multiple times dating back to Ohio State. I agree that is concerning because they tend to recur, some players seem more prone to the issue than others, and it's hard to know if the issue will continue to plague him throughout the rest of his career.

Adam Peters isn't stupid. I have to believe they think they have a plan to keep him on the field (or thought they did). Maybe that trade was a mistake. The only issue I have with fans is beating on Lattimore - since in my mind there is nothing he can personally do to control injuries.

It is what it is. When he's healthy he is a very good corner. But yeah, 'when' is a big factor in the evaluation.

 

[Boone]

hmmmm.... wonder who would know more? The guy who played or the guy who sits on his couch and rants at a screen?

You guys take it to PM if you want to go at it please.

 

[Commander Wraith]

I think the problem with Lattimore is that most of his missed time is due to hamstring injuries. He has injured his hamstrings (right and left) multiple times dating back to Ohio State. I agree that is concerning because they tend to recur, some players seem more prone to the issue than others, and it's hard to know if the issue will continue to plague him throughout the rest of his career.

Adam Peters isn't stupid. I have to believe they think they have a plan to keep him on the field (or thought they did). Maybe that trade was a mistake. The only issue I have with fans is beating on Lattimore - since in my mind there is nothing he can personally do to control injuries.

It is what it is. When he's healthy he is a very good corner. But yeah, 'when' is a big factor in the evaluation.

I haven’t beaten him up over it, but I do question if there’s more he could be doing regarding his hamstrings. And that applies to teams as well. Proper stretching and warmups - not just going through them, but understanding exactly what they’re supposed to feel like. Same for cool downs and recovery. And then there’s finding additional avenues to help - yoga, acupuncture, chiropractors, or whatever. Maybe he is - he’s a pro athlete who’s had professional staffs supporting him… but I still wonder.