The 2026 Free Agency Thread

[DWinzit]

Really feels like they want that to be Williams role. Williams is the quick separator, get open guy on the team.

I think you could say Chig, Williams, White and possibly a HB/FB used Sinnott will all play in that role

 

[skinsinparadise]

 

[SkinsFTW]

Good post and I agree. I'm big on Chig, I love how he can take some of the pressure off the receivers by providing bigger plays. But 3rd and 6 is what wins or loses games and Ertz was money there, not sure who they will have who can match his production.

Ertz is still available too.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

Yeah to me Chig versus Ertz is like arguing pizza versus cake. Two different versions of a TE.

I get Ertz is like the posterchild for what some fans hated about the 2025 roster. Older player who isn't fast.

And Chig presents the opposite. Younger player who is fast.

Ertz a route runner technician, as Logan Paulsen said one of the best route runners in the history of the game. And he can do it in tight spaces, hence he's a great red zone and TD guy. Also a big time leader. So I don't have this good riddance feeling about him.

Chig isn't touted as an Ertz level route runner but he's fast and is a YAC guy where Ertz isn't. He's also not scored many TDs.

Very different flavors. For people to assume that Chig is some massive upgrade is based on hope-optimism. And don't get me wrong, it could happen. But we don't know until we know.

Chig can run with the ball, yet if you look at YPC which factors everything, Ertz and Chig with basically identical YPC last year, with Ertz with the better number the year before.

I like the signing a lot but I am not in the camp that its an automatic big upgrade.

I also think it’s worth noting that Chig has played with essentially the dregs of NFL QBs through his career and still been explosive and productive.

Thats a major reason why I think they signed him, and I like the signing. They’re not expecting him to do what he has done, they’re expecting more because he’ll be playing with a MUCH better QB, has the physical skills to be explosive.

That was one of the signatures of this offseason. They signed guys, at least the top end guys, who they expect more from as they are entering their prime for the most part.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

Really feels like they want that to be Williams role. Williams is the quick separator, get open guy on the team.

That's what I was thinking. Or White out of the backfield. For years I watched Preston Pearson convert 3rd and 5's for Dallas at a frustrating rate, why not a back doing this for us?

 

[skinsinparadise]

I also think it’s worth noting that Chig has played with essentially the dregs of NFL QBs through his career and still been explosive and productive.

Thats a major reason why I think they signed him, and I like the signing. They’re not expecting him to do what he has done, they’re expecting more because he’ll be playing with a MUCH better QB, has the physical skills to be explosive.

That was one of the signatures of this offseason. They signed guys, at least the top end guys, who they expect more from as they are entering their prime for the most part.

Again, one of my stocks that I picked before they signed him. I pushed Chig hard before FA. I am VERY familiar with the player. The irony like I said most of the man crushes people have here over the weapons they actually acquired are players I sold on this thread and the draft thread.

lol, its a bit ironic for me like I said to have people explain to me the celing of players that I've sold for months before they became Commanders.

So I get the enthusiasm but still you got to see it play out. Chig isn't Kelce until he turns into Kelce.

I get the idea of again every player hitting our fondest dreams and hopes -- they were held back by this and that, and watch stardom come here. He's much better than people think. The dude he replaced (in this case Ertz) is much worse than people think. We got the better players to maximize said acqusition and the better scheme to maximize his skills. Lets celebrate.

Some hyperbole from my end to make a point. But I am simply saying I am familiar with the feeling. I used to be that guy myself. I am not really anymore even for players I pushed because if past is prologue, it never happens where every signing plays out like that, there will be some hits, some disappointments.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Ertz is still available too.

I would consider him myself when he heals up. I like the combination of him and Chig.

I don't think Sinnott is a bust but I don't have a lot of faith he emerges as anything more that a FB-HB with some occasional catches.

The lack of a clear red zone weapons aside from Terry worries me some.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Really feels like they want that to be Williams role. Williams is the quick separator, get open guy on the team.

Hopefully so, but its a lot of pressure on a rookie to be that guy right away. Like Chig though, he wasn't a TD guy, one of the worst numbers in this class as to TDs so I don't know if he's the red zone guy replacement for Ertz, but as for quick seperation on third down he can evolve into being that guy.

I love the player, one of my guys in that draft. My concerns with him are like any rookie how fast can you hit the ground running and also he got banged up a lot in college, can he avoid that in the pros?

 

[Boone]

I'm with you SiP. As far as Okonkwo goes, he had 3 straight seasons of 50-60 receptions which is right in line with Ertz. I don't know how much more he would get targeted - I mean he IS a tight end. He has a better career catch % than Ertz but is not as effective in the red zone as Ertz has been throughout his career. We'll have to see what his impact is but obviously it was a good signing.

 

[Riggo44]

 

[KDawg]

I also think it’s worth noting that Chig has played with essentially the dregs of NFL QBs through his career and still been explosive and productive.

Thats a major reason why I think they signed him, and I like the signing. They’re not expecting him to do what he has done, they’re expecting more because he’ll be playing with a MUCH better QB, has the physical skills to be explosive.

That was one of the signatures of this offseason. They signed guys, at least the top end guys, who they expect more from as they are entering their prime for the most part.

I believe Chig will out produce 2025 Ertz.

But, he hasn’t done it to this point so it’s a projection. We’ll see. I feel good about him, though, and think this was a quality signing.

 

[burgold]

Hopefully so, but its a lot of pressure on a rookie to be that guy right away. Like Chig though, he wasn't a TD guy, one of the worst numbers in this class as to TDs so I don't know if he's the red zone guy replacement for Ertz, but as for quick seperation on third down he can evolve into being that guy.

I love the player, one of my guys in that draft. My concerns with him are like any rookie how fast can you hit the ground running and also he got banged up a lot in college, can he avoid that in the pros?

I agree. Same thought went through my head.

They're treating Williams (okay, we're assuming they're treating Williams) like he's a first round draft pick and starter ready. Maybe that'll be the case. It was with Terry, but growing pains ought to be expected. It's a lot of weight to put on a third round rookie's back.

Nontheless, it feels like that's their plan, right now. Terry as the principle receiver. WIlliams as the get separation chain mover, and then the other receivers as stretch the field, loosen the defense types. I do think they anticipate landing Aiyuk, too, but who knows what kind of shape or drive we get when he does come (if he comes). So, while getting a vet helps it doesn't solve.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

I'm with you SiP. As far as Okonkwo goes, he had 3 straight seasons of 50-60 receptions which is right in line with Ertz. I don't know how much more he would get targeted - I mean he IS a tight end. He has a better career catch % than Ertz but is not as effective in the red zone as Ertz has been throughout his career. We'll have to see what his impact is but obviously it was a good signing.

And again he put up those numbers without a QB like Jayden Daniels.

 

[skinsinparadise]

I agree. Same thought went through my head.

They're treating Williams (okay, we're assuming they're treating Williams) like he's a first round draft pick and starter ready. Maybe that'll be the case. It was with Terry, but growing pains ought to be expected. It's a lot of weight to put on a third round rookie's back.

Nontheless, it feels like that's their plan, right now. Terry as the principle receiver. WIlliams as the get separation chain mover, and then the other receivers as stretch the field, loosen the defense types. I do think they anticipate landing Aiyuk, too, but who knows what kind of shape or drive we get when he does come (if he comes). So, while getting a vet helps it doesn't solve.

The main reason why I was so high on Antonio was because I figured he might be still available in the early third. And digesting all the WRs in that range, so many came off to me boom-bust. And traditionally 3rd round Wrs are much more bust.

But there were three guys in that late 2nd round-3rd round range that hit me uniquely high floor, Antonio was my 2nd fav among those three.

The way I see Antonio is he's a rich man's Jamison Crowder -- above average slot WR with some ability to play Z. And considering who else is on this roster at WR by extension if you bring a peak form Jamison Crowder that's better than anyone else on the roster at Wr aside from Terry.

I have noticed that beat guys say this team is enamored with Antonio. That's cool. But on the same token not much buzz about McCaffrey, Lane, Sinnott, but the off season is still young.

 

[skinsinparadise]

And again he put up those numbers without a QB like Jayden Daniels.

True, but not everyone thinks Cam Ward is a scrub, he quietly had a decent rookie season. He had about 400 yards less passing than Jayden's rookie season.

 

[DWinzit]

Hopefully so, but its a lot of pressure on a rookie to be that guy right away. Like Chig though, he wasn't a TD guy, one of the worst numbers in this class as to TDs so I don't know if he's the red zone guy replacement for Ertz, but as for quick seperation on third down he can evolve into being that guy.

I love the player, one of my guys in that draft. My concerns with him are like any rookie how fast can you hit the ground running and also he got banged up a lot in college, can he avoid that in the pros?

Currently it does appear they are placing high expectations on Williams. I mean, at this point they are desperate so almost must do so. If he can be a good starting slot fairly early then great. If not he falls with all the other receiving draft picks of AP, a WR4/5 who can play teams.

I think his injury history in college has been overlooked or glossed over due to not having a major injury. He was banged up a OT in 2 of his 4 seasons. Tyson was hammered for a similar history although, yes, they are a couple rounds apart. Still, he needs to stay healthy because he will be counted on but will be dealing with faster, stronger, harder hitting defenders

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

True, but not everyone thinks Cam Ward is a scrub, he quietly had a decent rookie season. He had about 400 yards less passing than Jayden's rookie season.

400 yards is a lot when you are only throwing for 3,000. And that was just one of Chig's seasons, the other 4 he was trying to catch passes from Will Levis and Ryan Tannehill.

 

[skinsinparadise]

400 yards is a lot when you are only throwing for 3,000. And that was just one of Chig's seasons, the other 4 he was trying to catch passes from Will Levis and Ryan Tannehill.

What are your expectations for Chig? Project his numbers.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Currently it does appear they are placing high expectations on Williams. I mean, at this point they are desperate so almost must do so. If he can be a good starting slot fairly early then great. If not he falls with all the other receiving draft picks of AP, a WR4/5 who can play teams.

I think his injury history in college has been overlooked or glossed over due to not having a major injury. He was banged up a OT in 2 of his 4 seasons. Tyson was hammered for a similar history although, yes, they are a couple rounds apart. Still, he needs to stay healthy because he will be counted on but will be dealing with faster, stronger, harder hitting defenders

I like him a lot. And while a dude like Jamison Crowder was almost yawn in a WR room with Pierre Garcon and Desean Jackson but put that same player in a room with McCaffrey and Lane and Dyami and he's a rock star.

And lol part of me enjoys it because I was surprised I was the only one touting Williams on the draft thread. He seemed to me such an obvious bet if they were going to wait until the third. And I can sense it pisses some people off when I say this but to me taking Williams is a clear sign that aren't sold on McCaffrey and Lane -- you don't take three slot WRs in a row in three drafts if you believe in their predessors. You stack outside WRs, not three slot WRs, especially when your big move in FA on offense is taking an F TE -- whose game is often played from the slot.

I hated the idea of just trusting McCaffrey or Lane to be the slot WR. Not because I don't think either could some day emerge. But its not something I'd want to be on. And it was good for me to see they felt the same way.

 

[burgold]

You may be right. I just think they wanted to place the safest bet they could. I was rooting for Hurst, but while Hurst has star potential he also has bum potential. Williams seems to have NFL lifer potential. Maybe he becomes better than that, but every team needs a good, steady, reliable receiver with a bit of wiggle and speed.

Choosing Williams is a little like choosing the Cheesecake Factory. You know you're not going to be blown away, but you know that the food will be good and everyone can find something to eat. Now, that's not a bad thing. I've had plenty of fine times in the Cheesecake Factory. Who knows, maybe Williams is Bang Bang Chicken and Shrimp? :silly: