The 2025 Free Agency Thread

[Boone]

I know this will sound so

But one thing to keep in mind with really great players and age - the drop-off often is from 'top tier' to 'pretty damn good'. When you were only above average or good in your prime, the 'drop-off' with aging can be dramatic. The differences in speed, strength, endurance between player tiers at the NFL level is pretty narrow. I think really great players, guys like London Fletcher and Bobby Wagner, sure the drop-off happens because they are in fact human beings but they are able to expend their playing days while still being effective for much longer than less talented players. There are exceptions as there are to anything. But generally, it's why I worry less about someone being 30 if they are truly a top tier talent, because you are likely to still get a very good player for the duration of a contract.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

It's so hard to get a grasp of Sinnott and McCaffrey because the track record of this front office / coaching staff is, imho, undetermined. It may take 2 or 3 years before we can look at how they handle players and come to any conclusions.

For all we know, their overall interest is to not depend on rookies and basically make them 'red shirt' guys. That being said, there were some SERIOUS contributions by rookies this past season, so does that mean they were good enough to supplant what was ahead of them, or they simply were forced to play because the cupboard was that empty? Not even mentioning Daniels, because that's just different, but Coleman and Sainristil had MASSIVE contributions regarding playing time, but they also had almost NOBODY in front of them competing for playing time. Jordan Magee came back (and we heard absolutely glowing things in Training Camp) but he wasn't able to get on the field. Was that because he Bobby Wagner was in front of him?

Was Sinnott 'sat' on this past season because he wasn't good enough? Or was it that the bigger part of the plan is to get him 'trained' up on the blocking role because they knew they were going to be letting Bates walk this offseason, but bring back Ertz? Was Luke not used because they want him to focus on a specific WR position, and didn't want to throw him out there into a different role stunting his development?

You could argue if that was the thought process, then Sainrstil maybe wouldn't have played, but he likely was just so good they couldn't afford to keep him off the field.

That's the thing. They were not afraid to use rookies in my more critical positons such as left tackle and corner. They also gave Newton plenty of snaps. McCaffery is the one I am more concerned about. He was getting a lot of snaps, then he was not. There has to be a reason for that. We have no idea what we have in Sinnott and I suspect they don't either. I didn't expect a lot, rookie TEs rarely have an impact and he wasn't going to replace Ertz. But I sure expected to see him at least some of the time.

 

[Primus Porcus]

That's the thing. They were not afraid to use rookies in my more critical positons such as left tackle and corner. They also gave Newton plenty of snaps. McCaffery is the one I am more concerned about. He was getting a lot of snaps, then he was not. There has to be a reason for that. We have no idea what we have in Sinnott and I suspect they don't either. I didn't expect a lot, rookie TEs rarely have an impact and he wasn't going to replace Ertz. But I sure expected to see him at least some of the time.

that's literally what my post said... that I don't think a conclusion can be drawn yet.

Yes, LT and CB, but was it because they believe in playing rookies, or because they didn't have a choice. Coleman and Sainristil were likely the far and away best options despite their rookie status.

 

[method man]

Has there been any more research into Landry’s numbers? Something doesn’t add up regarding the low pressure rate vs the high volume of sacks he generates season to season.

What is interesting about him is that, outside of the pass rush chops, he is a heck of a run defender in space and good in coverage. A true 3-4 OLB chess piece who could cover for some of Luvu’s deficiencies as a coverage player

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

that's literally what my post said... that I don't think a conclusion can be drawn yet.

Yes, LT and CB, but was it because they believe in playing rookies, or because they didn't have a choice. Coleman and Sainristil were likely the far and away best options despite their rookie status.

I wasn't debating with you, I was agreeing with you.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

Not that we're short on money, but Wards been atop my list too.

Ward is the SF guy who had a personal tragedy right? And just wants a change of scenery no matter what?

If he’s the guy I’m thinking of, Peters know him well. So if Peters likes him, that might just happen.

Also, this has magical turned into a great place to get a new start. Supportive coaching staff and locker room.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

My concern with Sinnott is that he got a ‘fair’ amount of run during the majority of the season and then less and less as the calendar moved into December. For me that is the opposite of what I would expect from a rookie.

I think that’s because games got more and more important and Ertz was clearly performing and could stay healthy.

So his opportunities decreased as they transitioned from “develop guys” to “win” and also Ertz surprised people.

I could be wrong. But I don’t think the book is finished, or even really started, on Sinnott yet.

 

[skinsinparadise]

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

The guy I thought who would get done first was Tres and I’m slightly surprised that hasn’t gotten done yet.

He won’t want to leave and they should want him back, and this should be easy.

 

[Chris 44]

Fine print....lol

 

[Discobob]

Sounds like posturing.... they are cheap, everyone knows that. They're gonna give Chase a bag of cash, and either give Tee a large one year deal, or a giant bag of cash on a longer deal.

I seems next to impossible that they would pay Hendrickson too. They may let it play out and do the franchise tag thing, but that pathway is self destructive.

I think they'll move him for something that, on paper, seems pretty uninspiring.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Hendrickson reminds me of Jared Allen when I think about a comparison. I'd take that all day long.

In that mode too. I mentioned Crosby because of how relentless they both come off.

Digesting that Rapoport report, I gather Cincy is holding out for more draft capital.

While, I trust this FO, for me personally I wouldn't like giving up a first. The FO will make mistakes like any other will -- but where I trust them 100% is understanding their needs and how it fits their scheme. They will get some players wrong. Every FO does. But Quinn and Peters are workaholics and I'd put money they've already studied the last season to death and know what type of players they feel will fill in the gaps.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

Sounds like posturing.... they are cheap, everyone knows that. They're gonna give Chase a bag of cash, and with either give Tee a large one year deal, or a giant bag of cash on a longer deal.

I seems next to impossible that they would pay Hendrickson too. They may let it play out and do the franchise tag thing, but that pathway is self destructive.

I think they'll move him for something that, on paper, seems pretty uninspiring.

The bengals are also feeding every reporter they can that 12 teams are interested.

Which might be true.

Here’s the key: whoever trades for Hendrickson has to agree on a new deal first. So in a way he gets to pick his new team.

He’s not going to 20 of the teams no matter what.

We are now a really attractive destination.

That might matter if the money is comparable.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Re-listening to Keim's podcast, maybe it was L. Paulsen who said perfect scheme fit for Hendrickson. I know I heard someone who covered the team say it but it might not have been Keim.

 

[Hail Raiser]

Ward is the SF guy who had a personal tragedy right? And just wants a change of scenery no matter what?

If he’s the guy I’m thinking of, Peters know him well. So if Peters likes him, that might just happen.

Also, this has magical turned into a great place to get a new start. Supportive coaching staff and locker room.

He had a 1yo with Downs that passed last year and he had a bad knee injury and seems like he needs a fresh start somewhere.

 

[Chris]

I think that’s because games got more and more important and Ertz was clearly performing and could stay healthy.

So his opportunities decreased as they transitioned from “develop guys” to “win” and also Ertz surprised people.

I could be wrong. But I don’t think the book is finished, or even really started, on Sinnott yet.

I don’t disagree and I also don’t think the book is finished…yet. My concern lies in the fact that he was given opportunities in 14 or so games to develop and he didn’t to the point where the staff felt he had value to add at the end of the season. Games were more immediately important but he was not exactly a rookie anymore by that stage.

That he was used successfully on the fake punt was probably due more to the fact that nobody (our opponent, our fans) expected his number to be called in a critical moment.

 

[burgold]

I know this will sound so

But one thing to keep in mind with really great players and age - the drop-off often is from 'top tier' to 'pretty damn good'. When you were only above average or good in your prime, the 'drop-off' with aging can be dramatic. The differences in speed, strength, endurance between player tiers at the NFL level is pretty narrow. I think really great players, guys like London Fletcher and Bobby Wagner, sure the drop-off happens because they are in fact human beings but they are able to expend their playing days while still being effective for much longer than less talented players. There are exceptions as there are to anything. But generally, it's why I worry less about someone being 30 if they are truly a top tier talent, because you are likely to still get a very good player for the duration of a contract.

Yep. Though while wisdom counters some of this (A great player can anticipate a play based on formation and film study and make up for lost speed and strength), what's lost can't be wholly replaced.

 

[DWinzit]

forgot the other name Keim threw out there is Hargrave at DT mentioning ties to SF. He was vague on it but usually he doesn't throw out names for no reason.

Hargrave is a 3 technique type, got after the passer type. He also mentioned a run stuffing DT. So if there is some teeth to what he is saying. I gather the idea is to build a D line that both improves as to rushing the passer and stopping the run.

I read the Hargrave possibility early this morning. I think it said Peters was involved in bringing him to San Fran and we would help fortify what we need. I question how much he'd cost though as I don't see them wanting to sign a 32 year old long term and he probably wouldn't want to do a one year deal...but hey, who knows!

 

[Hail Raiser]

Not sure where the conversation about Worthy went, but he was arrested for domestic abuse last night, so I guess he'll be a chief for life.

 

[DWinzit]

I think that’s because games got more and more important and Ertz was clearly performing and could stay healthy.

So his opportunities decreased as they transitioned from “develop guys” to “win” and also Ertz surprised people.

I could be wrong. But I don’t think the book is finished, or even really started, on Sinnott yet.

I hope Sinnotts book is just beginning. With Bates leaving there will be a lot of blocking expectations for him. He seemed to do decent with this part of the game last year and was given many opportunities to do so. It's the receiver side that he didn't look so hot in, mainly separation.

I do see a possibility of not bringing Ertz back if they want to look beyond this season. They could look to 29 year old all around proven TE Tyler Conklin and draft someone from this semi strong TE class