The 2025 Free Agency Thread

[Witty66]

Not one for one. Plenty of people wanted to trade down, which we likely could’ve done for multiple picks. Point is instead of having three or four decent to good players (and that’s if they all work out, which is unlikely). I’d rather have the one sure thing superstar stud and figure out the other spots. Yes QB is by far the most important position, but edge rusher is probably next on the list.

I would argue 3rd behind QB and LT but definitely most important on the defensive side of the ball.

 

[Riggo44]

 

[RWJ]

JR was my favorite lifetime player as a Skin fan. Tyler Warren is going to be a serious weapon for the team that selects him in the upcoming draft. Even at his size as a former QB he can do some major wildcatting from time to time as we've seen at Penn St. along with being a big time target at TE.

 

[Anselmheifer]

I really can't believe what a cult of personality Jayden is already. Nabers and Myles Garrett want to play with him. Kevin Durant is a fan and a PEER.





It's crazy to me that a player from a division rival, asked to name a QB he would choose to throw him the ball, ANY QB FROM NFL HISTORY, and he chooses the QB of a division rival. Our QB. The best defensive player in the league, a first ballot hall of famer, when asked if Jayden is the type of QB he'd like to play with, without pause, enthusiastically, says, "absolutely".

We are going to be able to pull FA that traditionally have gone to the Chiefs, NE, etc. Impact players that want to win a championship. It feels surreal.

 

[Gooseneck]

Maybe we can get Durrant to play with him

 

[SkinsFTW]

I would argue 3rd behind QB and LT but definitely most important on the defensive side of the ball.

With our current QB, LT is much less important than a dude who can get pressure on defense several times a game. We just saw our offense being almost unstoppable with a rookie LT and almost no real running game and 1 legit receiving target.

 

[DWinzit]

With our current QB, LT is much less important than a dude who can get pressure on defense several times a game. We just saw our offense being almost unstoppable with a rookie LT and almost no real running game and 1 legit receiving target.

I'd love a great pass rusher and it would be great if he could defend the run.

However, how freaking lucky were we that JD survived the season without major injury. He took lots of big hits even with his incredible escapability mainly due to the not so great OL play. Plus how much did he miss or play hurt from the rib damage. The most noticeable weakness was the interior when Biadasz was out and the OT's the rest of the time.

So, for me JD's protection should be the #1 priority. He is the driver of this team and he is useless on the IR.

 

[burgold]

Heh. We want all the rushers. Great pass rusher. Great running back. Give us rushers.

 

[method man]

I hate Metcalf. Logan said it best - he’s a big guy who plays like a small guy. He also has attitude issues and is limited in what he can do. I hope we pass.

I think there is something to be said where, if we do trade for Garrett and despite the costs, the ring chasing vets who can still play know we are serious and may want to come here even more…guys like Khalil Mack and Keenan Allen for example who may be open to reasonable 1 year deals

 

[Discobob]

Hypothetical..... If we could get Myles Garrett for effectively free (knowing that we have to pay him) if they included DeShaun Watson in the deal.... how much of Deshaun's remaining $172 M cap hit would you be willing to absorb?

 

[Anselmheifer]

Hypothetical..... If we could get Myles Garrett for effectively free (knowing that we have to pay him) if they included DeShaun Watson in the deal.... how much of Deshaun's remaining $172 M cap hit would you be willing to absorb?

I looked this up and it looks like it would cost us $46 million a year for the next 2 years to absorb his salary. Taking on Garrett’s 19 million salary, without an extension, that only leaves us about $29 million in cap room to sign our own guys and spend in FA. I don’t think it’s worth it.

 

[Hogwallop]

I'd love a great pass rusher and it would be great if he could defend the run.

However, how freaking lucky were we that JD survived the season without major injury. He took lots of big hits even with his incredible escapability mainly due to the not so great OL play. Plus how much did he miss or play hurt from the rib damage. The most noticeable weakness was the interior when Biadasz was out and the OT's the rest of the time.

So, for me JD's protection should be the #1 priority. He is the driver of this team and he is useless on the IR.

JD took one bad tackle that got his leg trapped that i can remember. Luckily hes young and rubbery. Other than that one he took everyday hits from what i can remember.

Would Garrett had made a difference when we were one game away? If this FO goes after him Im all in.

Our window is open. Swing for the fence

 

[SkinsGuru]

With our current QB, LT is much less important than a dude who can get pressure on defense several times a game. We just saw our offense being almost unstoppable with a rookie LT and almost no real running game and 1 legit receiving target.

yeah, but if we want our running game to be better we need better blocking in front them . . . maybe jayden can escape, but not most and just think of jayden with all day to throw . . . DAMN!!!

 

[Hogwallop]

yeah, but if we want our running game to be better we need better blocking in front them . . . maybe jayden can escape, but not most and just think of jayden with all day to throw . . . DAMN!!!

is there a breakdown of where % of pressure came from this season?

our offense was borderline elite this year imo. Makes me think you lean assets into the defense this offseason

 

[Iraolaball]

is there a breakdown of where % of pressure came from this season?

our offense was borderline elite this year imo. Makes me think you lean assets into the defense this offseason

 

[burgold]

The risk of this offseason is that defenses are going to have a whole lot of time to scheme a defense against Jayden. That means we need to improve. There are a few things Jayden could do better, but I think surrounding him with better talent on the lines (to make the running game more potent and to give an extra second or two of protection) as well as giving him another homerun threat (either as a runner or a wide receiver) would make this offense even more of a headache. Likewise, we need to improve our run defense so that we get the ball back. I want to see more punts and turnovers in 2025.

I think this post belongs in the Improvement thread lol

 

[HOF28]

Hypothetical..... If we could get Myles Garrett for effectively free (knowing that we have to pay him) if they included DeShaun Watson in the deal.... how much of Deshaun's remaining $172 M cap hit would you be willing to absorb?

This would really be interesting. If Cleveland would do something like so we can keep our draft picks I’d be very interested. We couldn’t do too much in FA but we could continue to build through the draft and resign some of our guys and maybe add another mid level guy or 2. Too many holes to fill for multiple #1 picks plus to be traded I think. I’d do this years #1 in a heartbeat but don’t think that’s realistic.

 

[SkinsFTW]

Shit, if we're going to take on Watson's contract then we should get a couple picks from the 💩's

 

[DogofWar1]

Craig and Paulsen brought up an important point re: Coleman, he hasn't really had 2 years in the same spot in his football career, he only started playing like 6 years ago. They feel (and I agree) he's definitely a starter somewhere along the line. Is that at LT and is it this year? Unsure, but part of me thinks let's run it back with him. I'm not sure we'll find a better LT at 29 or later than Coleman+1 year in the league, and certainly don't think we're likely to find that later. So to truly upgrade we likely gotta go into FA, and after re-signings I don't know how many high quality guys will be there, and how expensive they'll be. 2025 Tackles (per OTC) by snap count (I believe Mekari played OG tho):

 

[Utah]

The best part of our FA this year is coming off a 12 win season, gives you great leverage for improvement. Now, instead of putting just 10-15 names up on the depth chart as locked in players, you can basically put all the starters up there and now allow the momentum you've created to bring you options. Clearly, every player out there would put the Commanders on their list. Hell, even Chase Young would lean into that as an option. I am not saying you do that, but I would rather have the option of saying no than where we have been at 'I'll pay you extra to even look our way'.

Now, after breaking down the year and the future opponents we have to face, you start to see where you can improve. Who is knocking on the door? Who's ringing the bell? Furthermore, you look at this draft and then the next and couple that with the outside possible FAs from this year and next and put together a plan. Obviously, we are going to improve in areas, but how we do it now is pretty much a 'lottery win' position. Even better is any one who does show up here, realizes this is an established TEAM and they need to put the effort in to be accepted. Not come in acting as if we are lucky to get their services.

I simply start with the lines. I find us another guard first. Someone in the Cosmi size and attitude to come in and compete. I love Allegretti and what he brings but our improvement has to be in the run game and that requires another mauler. IF a LT somehow works his way into the picture, then there is always a chance BC could move down and work there. Options. Got to have them.

I am already on record for going after Garrett. Full go. Restructure Payne and Allen, push Newton to next level and keep drafting best players avail at the spot. And yes, for what its worth, I would ask DQ if he wants me to at least entertain the idea of Chase Young. The world is made up of 2nd chances and I will turn over every rock to see if it could improve the team. Maybe that is a 2 second convo or its something with teeth. Nothing is off the table.

After that, I simple look at whats available to draft, whats available to make us better. Just because a guy didn't perform the way we wanted this year, doesn't mean we can just add anyone to the mix and it will be better. I think we all can agree that of the 53 guys on this team, not one of them was a bad apple. Maybe not the best player, but he was apart of great 53 man team.

We have options.