The 2026 Free Agency Thread

[method man]

Give me Likely all day over Pitts. He can block

 

[DWinzit]

I’m not sold on Pierce, mainly because I haven’t studied him, am shocked he’s been this productive, and expect him to be expensive, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a good idea.

I’d much rather get Hall than Walker but both are upgrades and offer the explosiveness we’ve been missing.

I do like the ideas though. Going back to Likely, I really don’t give a crap whether Sinnott is on the team next year or not. He’s shown absolutely nothing. Likely and Bates are excellent compliments and fill the top 2 spots, and Yankoff I guess is fine as TE4. I’d like to see some competition to push Sinnott off the roster at this point. If he hangs on it better be because he has a good camp and shows in the preseason because I NEED a guy who can actually contribute if Likely were to get hurt. I feel we learned that lesson this year at WR.

You can really make some progress though by signing Breece and Likely because those are real talents at lower cost positions where we have big needs. Seems like no brainer stuff to me.

I can be convinced on Pierce, too. Spotrac has his market value at 4/$62M and he’s going to exceed that just based on supply and demand. I’ll be shocked if he’s not $20M annual. He fits the criteria though of young productive guy with room for higher ceiling. Problem is I’d rather spend a 1st on a WR and I doubt we double-dip.

Regarding WR, it is fairly up in the air with bringing back Deebo and for bringing in Aiyuk. I look at Pierce as an alternative that could lead to opening the draft up for other positions. I would love to have Likely and Hall or Walker.

 

[burgold]

I think Deebo coming back (at a big salary) is a long shot. He's been fine, but for a YAC receiver he hasn't been getting enough YAC. When he was the sole receiver standing he was pretty easily taken out of the game.

 

[Discobob]

I think Deebo coming back (at a big salary) is a long shot. He's been fine, but for a YAC receiver he hasn't been getting enough YAC. When he was the sole receiver standing he was pretty easily taken out of the game.

His play hasn't warranted the type of contract he's probably gonna want. Im fine with the deal they made for this year, but I'm not interested in extending him unless he's so desperate to stay, that he takes a below market deal (I don't see any reason to think this is even a remote possibility).

 

[DWinzit]

Baltimore extending Andrews is what well run organizations do, get their players signed early if at all possible. They and Philly have been doing this for years. I am wondering if we will make attempts at securing any players. The first one that comes to mind is Paul if they are in love with him. I could see them letting most of our players reach FA. I am predicting another year with a lot of personnel turnover.

 

[Riggo44]

Baltimore extending Andrews is what well run organizations do, get their players signed early if at all possible. They and Philly have been doing this for years. I am wondering if we will make attempts at securing any players. The first one that comes to mind is Paul if they are in love with him. I could see them letting most of our players reach FA. I am predicting another year with a lot of personnel turnover.

I have little doubt Tunsil will get done early. I think the agent was a driving force behind McLaurin. However, Philly has a bill to pay in a couple of years--Hurts has a whopping $94m void year hit. Hes been awful too, which causes a huge hurdle for the Eagles

 

[HTTR]

Give me Likely all day over Pitts. He can block

Same. Give me a TE who helps both in the passing game and the running game.

But is it a red flag that the Ravens, who are known to be a sharp organization, apparently are choosing a somewhat washed up Mark Andrews instead?

 

[Riggo44]

I'm pausing on Likely now. The Ravens choosing Andrews over him, like HTTR mentioned above, is worrisome. Looking at PFF (again, grain of salt, but they're a good starting point, I think), but his receiving metrics aren't that different from Sinnot's; just more snaps/targets. I think the staff's approach to TE this offseason will tell us a lot about whether Sinnot is a bust or not. If they go for Likely or Pitts--or even bring Ertz back, Sinnot will not be on the field much, again.

 

[HTTR]

Pitts is the worst. He is terrible. If that’s the only alternative, then I guess Likely is OK. Hopefully there are other options available. Finding a stud tight end who can block and coach would be HUGE for this team, maybe even more so than securing a top receiver. Neither one of those things grows on trees, though, so I’ll take what we can get.

*catch he doesn’t need to be able to coach lol

 

[Riggo44]

Pitts is the worst. He is terrible. If that’s the only alternative, then I guess Likely is OK. Hopefully there are other options available. Finding a stud tight end who can block and coach would be HUGE for this team, maybe even more so than securing a top receiver. Neither one of those things grows on trees, though, so I’ll take what we can get.

*catch he doesn’t need to be able to coach lol

We have a TE that can't block already in Ertz. I think Kingsbury and Daniels will maximize Pitts ability. His QBs since Matt Ryan: Marcus Mariota, Desmond Ridder, Kirk/t Cousins, Taylor Heinicke, and Michael Penix. He also had Arthur Smith for 2 years as HC. I still think he's a weapon, but might be too much of a risk if the contract gets too high.

 

[HTTR]

We have a TE that can't block already in Ertz. I think Kingsbury and Daniels will maximize Pitts ability. His QBs since Matt Ryan: Marcus Mariota, Desmond Ridder, Kirk/t Cousins, Taylor Heinicke, and Michael Penix. He also had Arthur Smith for 2 years as HC. I still think he's a weapon, but might be too much of a risk if the contract gets too high.

I hear you man, but he’s had sooo many opportunities. Look at how Drake London has thrived with those same conditions. And I realize London is a high bar, but Pitts was drafted just as high. It would be one thing if he was just mid, but he’s been god-awful. Kingsbury and Daniels would maximize the ability of ANY tight end we brought in, so I don’t see that as much of an argument.

 

[Riggo44]

I hear you man, but he’s had sooo many opportunities. Look at how Drake London has thrived with those same conditions. And I realize London is a high bar, but Pitts was drafted just as high. It would be one thing if he was just mid, but he’s been god-awful. Kingsbury and Daniels would maximize the ability of ANY tight end we brought in, so I don’t see that as much of an argument.

He hasn't lived up to his draft status, but I think calling him god awful is an overreaction--he's a top 10 TE in receptions and yards this year, he wasn't good last year, but's been good to very good every other year. He's not Kittle, LaPorta, or the like, but he's underrated at this point. I think he'd be outstanding here, someone you'd have to account for--which takes pressure off McLaurin, Bill/CRod, everyone.

 

[Discobob]

Pitts is the worst. He is terrible. If that’s the only alternative, then I guess Likely is OK. Hopefully there are other options available. Finding a stud tight end who can block and coach would be HUGE for this team, maybe even more so than securing a top receiver. Neither one of those things grows on trees, though, so I’ll take what we can get.

*catch he doesn’t need to be able to coach lol

Pitts definitely isn't an in-line blocker, but I'm not sure how he fares when split out. He's basically a big slot receiver... and one that you probably have to cover with a DB. So the question is really, how does his blocking compare to WRs?

If we did sign him and then played him as basically a slot WR, you have the added advantage of being able to franchise him at the TE rate.

 

[Riggo44]

Pitts definitely isn't an in-line blocker

Neither is Ertz, really.

 

[HTTR]

He hasn't lived up to his draft status, but I think calling him god awful is an overreaction--he's a top 10 TE in receptions and yards this year, he wasn't good last year, but's been good to very good every other year. He's not Kittle, LaPorta, or the like, but he's underrated at this point. I think he'd be outstanding here, someone you'd have to account for--which takes pressure off McLaurin, Bill/CRod, everyone.

He’s turned a lot of volume into counting stats, but
EPA 20th
YRR 38th
catch % 12th (not bad there)
Touchdowns?? Yikes. He has 1 all year which of course was against our stellar pass D

Of course, none of these receiving stats address the lack of consistent blocking. But I’ll admit ‘god-awful’ is overstated. More like mediocre. He’s is still young though, and would be an upgrade over what we have. So I wouldn’t rule it out, but I would also hope to aim higher.

 

[Discobob]

Neither is Ertz, really.

Agreed, but I view Pitts as even more of a WR than Ertz. I'm not arguing that Pitts is necessarily a better pass catcher.... I'm saying Pitts is more in the mold of a Waller... a TE in name only.

 

[Riggo44]

EPA 20th
YRR 38th
catch % 12th (not bad there)
Touchdowns?? Yikes. He has 1 all year which of course was against our stellar pass D

Also: Shitty QBs.

 

[HTTR]

Also: Shitty QBs.

Again, drake London says hi 😁. Half the TEs in the league have that same problem. And shitty QBs is not a reason for poor blocking.

 

[HTTR]

Agreed, but I view Pitts as even more of a WR than Ertz. I'm not arguing that Pitts is necessarily a better pass catcher.... I'm saying Pitts is more in the mold of a Waller... a TE in name only.

I agree with this. But it’s not the type of player I prefer. I want a tight end who can impact the running game too. If you want to make him a slot receiver, I think we can find a better one of those as well.

 

[Riggo44]

Again, drake London says hi 😁. Half the TEs in the league have that same problem. And shitty QBs is not a reason for poor blocking.

Yeah, but throw it up to Drake London isn't hard.