The 2026 Free Agency Thread

[Voice_of_Reason]

You stated in your last post that you would potentially add 2 TEs. You already have three with Yankoff. Even if you replace Yankoff, you aren't going to sign a veteran of note if you have Pitts, Bates and Sinnott in front of that guy

I think I was assuming if they brought in Pitts, Yankoff would be a casualty of that. If you decided to bring back Ertz, you'd have Ertz, Pitts, Bates and Sinnott. Yankoff is basically a ST guy. So, there is something to work on there if he's substituted out for Pitts. But I would absolutely take the chance on Pitts even if it meant parting ways with Yankoff.

I think the real question is going to be if they bring back Ertz. He might have reached the end of the road. He's really slow and rarely getting targeted at the moment.

You can keep him, guarantee the remaining year and add another void year to spread the hit of the base salary.

You could do that, I don't know that they would want to push extra cap room into an out year when they have the space to be able to just keep him. I'm also sure Payne is going to want a new deal.

It's going to be really interesting what happens to him. For whatever reason, and I'm in the minority, I think they're just going to want to let him play out his deal. Though I think they'd prefer if they didn't have to take the $28m against the cap.

I dunno. There are a lot of options, but both sides have to agree.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

He has at least started to play better as a nickel more recently. Let's hope he can sustain this

He has had an uneven start to the season, but he is playing better recently.

They really like him inside. I think they want to keep him there and let him develop.

I'm also hopeful Jonathan Jones comes back from his (I think) hamstring injury he suffered in Green Bay. They are super thing right now at CB.

 

[Conn]

I think Ertz heavily implied (if not outright stated) that he was debating retirement but decided to go one more year with Daniels & Co. Even if he ends the year healthy and playing decently (no guarantee at his age, he looks slower every week but is still dangerous in the RZ), I’d be surprised if we see him again. So I don’t know if that’s a choice we’ll be making.

Same with Wagner tbh. He seems on the verge of retirement as well, might be out of our hands either way

 

[SkinsFTW]

I wonder what the Bengals offered AP for Mariota. They ended up with Flacco but I am sure that they tried to get Mariota first.

They should have tried to keep Mariota on a longer deal because obviously they want to keep him.

 

[burgold]

That's an interesting question. I bet Peters would have wanted a fortune. I might argue that a perfect fit at back up QB is worth a first. At minimum, a second. This season and last season, Mariotta came in when we really needed him and produced.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

That's an interesting question. I bet Peters would have wanted a fortune. I might argue that a perfect fit at back up QB is worth a first. At minimum, a second. This season and last season, Mariotta came in when we really needed him and produced.

Mariota basically won us 2 games last year.

That’s the differnce between 10-7 and 12-5. Probably still make the playoffs but it’s a different season without him.

For a playoff/NfC championship contender, there might not be a price that can be met. If Sabiels gets hurt and you have to play Josh Johnson your season is essentially over.

There might have been an offer but I doubt there was a price that would have made sense.

 

[SkinsFTW]

There might have been an offer but I doubt there was a price that would have made sense.

If the Bengals want to make it to the playoffs then a 2nd rounder would have made sense. Their division is wide open this year with Lamar banged up and Henry getting 2ypc.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

If the Bengals want to make it to the playoffs then a 2nd rounder would have made sense. Their division is wide open this year with Lamar banged up and Henry getting 2ypc.

I wouldn’t trade Mariota for a second this year.

He’s probably the difference between making and missing the playoffs.

 

[DWinzit]

I wouldn’t trade Mariota for a second this year.

He’s probably the difference between making and missing the playoffs.

It would be great to pick up a lets say 3rd rounder but we have a QB that likes running and takes hits. If he goes down and Mariota isn't there, we are in trouble. Next year they need to find a legit QB3, perhaps a mid to late rounder.

 

[Anselmheifer]

I wouldn’t trade Mariota for a second this year.

He’s probably the difference between making and missing the playoffs.

You’re trading one year of backup WB play, for hopefully 5 years of draft pick production, and we have very few picks. I’d have traded him for a 2nd. But I doubt the team would have.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

You’re trading one year of backup WB play, for hopefully 5 years of draft pick production, and we have very few picks. I’d have traded him for a 2nd. But I doubt the team would have.

You’re trading potentially making the playoffs and SB opportunity for a 50/50 shot on a player who might/might not work out.

If the team didn’t have championship game aspirations, I’d say do it. But they do. And you can’t play Josh Johnson and expect to win.

It’s an insurance policy worth having.

 

[SkinsLife]

In todays NFL, the value of a great backup QB cant be underestimated. 17 (soon to be 18) game season, plus playoffs, means there is a pretty good chance a starter will miss a couple of games at least. A good backup will win 50% of games they start, a great one will win more.. I believe in the next few years backup QBs will start averaging 15mil a year to reflect his value. We have a borderline great backup in Mariota.. his value to this team this season is much greater than even a 2nd rounder. No team is stupid enough to trade a 2nd for a backup QB on a one year deal

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

It would be great to pick up a lets say 3rd rounder but we have a QB that likes running and takes hits. If he goes down and Mariota isn't there, we are in trouble. Next year they need to find a legit QB3, perhaps a mid to late rounder.

I mean, what is a legit QB3? They really don't exist.

I think they can do better than Hartman and Josh Johnson. But unless they pick up additional picks, I doubt they draft a QB.

I think they need to sign another couple of UDFAs and see what they can get out of them. Just maybe one with not as good hair but better talent.

 

[DWinzit]

I mean, what is a legit QB3? They really don't exist.

I think they can do better than Hartman and Josh Johnson. But unless they pick up additional picks, I doubt they draft a QB.

I think they need to sign another couple of UDFAs and see what they can get out of them. Just maybe one with not as good hair but better talent.

A QB3 scenario I always saw as healthy as where you have a decent smart UDFA or late rounder. It gives the team consistency - a player that is familiar with the system, the players and the coaches all while being cap friendly for at least 3 or 4 years. Down the line the QB3 could earn QB2 status as well. Hartman would have been perfect if he was any good.

 

[Discobob]

I wonder what the Bengals offered AP for Mariota. They ended up with Flacco but I am sure that they tried to get Mariota first.

They should have tried to keep Mariota on a longer deal because obviously they want to keep him.

I love Marcus on our team, but Flacco is a better fit for their situation. He's not a better player, but he's the better "drop in" replacement that offense.

 

[SkinsNumberOne]

A QB3 scenario I always saw as healthy as where you have a decent smart UDFA or late rounder. It gives the team consistency - a player that is familiar with the system, the players and the coaches all while being cap friendly for at least 3 or 4 years. Down the line the QB3 could earn QB2 status as well. Hartman would have been perfect if he was any good.

Well, in a way, Hartman is perfect.

I am not sure what you mean by "decent smart UDFA/late rounder" but to me that part sounds more like QB2.
QB3 is going to be more of a gamble/risk, so they followed your plan otherwise - "Down the line the QB3 could earn QB2" - I think Hartman is exactly that dude as a gamble. Now they have to (if he's guaranteed not to develop in their eyes) move on from Hartman and go to the "next QB3" to try.

 

[DWinzit]

Well, in a way, Hartman is perfect.

I am not sure what you mean by "decent smart UDFA/late rounder" but to me that part sounds more like QB2.
QB3 is going to be more of a gamble/risk, so they followed your plan otherwise - "Down the line the QB3 could earn QB2" - I think Hartman is exactly that dude as a gamble. Now they have to (if he's guaranteed not to develop in their eyes) move on from Hartman and go to the "next QB3" to try.

We all knew while Hartman had a lot of good qualities for a backup and was worth a shot. After last year we knew he should have been upgraded. He was always inconsistent, made poor decisions, had poor mechanics and lacked arm strength.
My thoughts
QB2 needs to be able to step in at a moments notice and be capable of keeping in games and winning a few for you if called on.
QB3 is developmental with good characteristics who you hope late in the year would be okay to step in to keep you in a game if called on and hope he can eventually earn QB2 status.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

Well, in a way, Hartman is perfect.

I am not sure what you mean by "decent smart UDFA/late rounder" but to me that part sounds more like QB2.
QB3 is going to be more of a gamble/risk, so they followed your plan otherwise - "Down the line the QB3 could earn QB2" - I think Hartman is exactly that dude as a gamble. Now they have to (if he's guaranteed not to develop in their eyes) move on from Hartman and go to the "next QB3" to try.

I somewhat disagree because Hartman lacks the physical tools to ever develop into anything more than a VERY low-end backup. He isn't fast enough to scare anybody with his legs, and doesn't have even average NFL arm talent.

He's essentially Taylor Heinicke with less moxy and better hair. And Heinicke sucked when he wasn't getting lucky.

Was he worth a flier on for one year as a PS guy? Sure. A second year? eh?? Probably not.

If it were me, and we're taking a flier on a 3rd string/PS/developmental guy, I want somebody with a lot of raw talent, that for whatever reason just hasn't put it all together. The thought being, if you give him NFL coaching, you can improve technique and other skills to develop the guy into a good option.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

I think there needs to be a real shakeup in the back part of the WR for next season, and that could be in the draft or FA, so I'll put the thought here.

Let's assume for a minute the "first 4" are set, which means the team re-signs Deebo. That means McLaurin, Deebo, McCaffery and Lane are here.

- Noah Brown is always hurt
- Chris Moore is playing meaningful snaps at the moment, because Noah Brown and McLaurin are out.
- They have to elevate Tee Martin from the PS.

My point is we can't count on Noah Brown being healthy. McCaffery and Lane might get more snaps as we go along, but the back part of the room needs attention so we don't have to bring up PS players. We couldn't even put a 6th WR on the active roster because none of the ones we had in camp justified a gameday jersey.

We're going to have other needs in the draft, and we don't have a 2nd or 4th round pick, so I think we need to figure out some WR3/4 type guys to come in and compete.

I do think by the end of the season, McCaffery might have solidified WR3. But you need another couple of guys to fill out the rotation.

 

[SkinsNumberOne]

I somewhat disagree because Hartman lacks the physical tools to ever develop into anything more than a VERY low-end backup. He isn't fast enough to scare anybody with his legs, and doesn't have even average NFL arm talent.

He's essentially Taylor Heinicke with less moxy and better hair. And Heinicke sucked when he wasn't getting lucky.

Was he worth a flier on for one year as a PS guy? Sure. A second year? eh?? Probably not.

If it were me, and we're taking a flier on a 3rd string/PS/developmental guy, I want somebody with a lot of raw talent, that for whatever reason just hasn't put it all together. The thought being, if you give him NFL coaching, you can improve technique and other skills to develop the guy into a good option.

Yeah of course but I am not sure you have 65 of that level QB at minimum.

Most NFL teams have that level as their QB2, our situation is better than most - probably in part sue to the rookie contract at QB1. Heck I think you and a couple others already discussed Cowboys qb2 in almost that exact regard recently.

No disagreement that we should have moved on from Hartman (I guess) - but it is possible they held out hope for him, his locker room/qb room is good (can’t guarantee that or always take it for granted) and QB3 is a low enough priority compared to other holes.

I do agree with you and think all three of us are saying the same thing. It is a flier position with some short leash so you can see if you find a diamond / scheme fit. So it seems Hartman is overstaying a bit, but there may be some aspects they like. I tend to agree with you, it would be nice to find someone with a bit more raw talent but a lot of those do find QB2 roles; I think they should have probably considered moving on from Sam though, even if he is a good guy.