The 2026 Free Agency Thread

[Conn]

Saw someone on twitter arguing that Pierce is starting to grow his game and someone in FA could get an ascending player at role player prices. Reminded me of Garçon—not in skill-set, but in terms of trajectory and being a WR2 who might have more to offer.

 

[RedWolf]

I think we are going to be very very active in free agency this year

 

[method man]

The Seahawks killed the 2022 NFL draft. They found six starters including both starting tackles (Cross and Lucas), RB1 (K9), starting EDGE (Mafe), starting CB (Woolen), starting FS (Bryant) and special teamer (Dareke Young). This is a hell of a haul and a big reason why the Seahawks are where they currently are. They have already extended Lucas, will probably extend Cross and will need to extend JSN. Between these guys and other young to be FAs like Jobe and Shaheed, they can't keep everyone.

My guess is K9, Woolen and Bryant come free. Folks are familiar with the first two guys but few here have probably heard of Bryant. He's an ex Jim Thorpe award winner who was drafted as a CB, wasn't good there and successfully transitioned to FS, which he has been playing the past couple seasons. He has an issue with missing tackles and he doesn't have 4.3 type of speed but he is a ballhawk, a great communicator and is generally very good in coverage. The Seahawks offered him an extension after his first season as a safety, which he turned down. He bet on himself and is having himself a pretty good year. He is probably looking at an 8 figure AAV deal. Probably something like 3 years/$36M.

 

[DWinzit]

The Seahawks killed the 2022 NFL draft. They found six starters including both starting tackles (Cross and Lucas), RB1 (K9), starting EDGE (Mafe), starting CB (Woolen), starting FS (Bryant) and special teamer (Dareke Young). This is a hell of a haul and a big reason why the Seahawks are where they currently are. They have already extended Lucas, will probably extend Cross and will need to extend JSN. Between these guys and other young to be FAs like Jobe and Shaheed, they can't keep everyone.

My guess is K9, Woolen and Bryant come free. Folks are familiar with the first two guys but few here have probably heard of Bryant. He's an ex Jim Thorpe award winner who was drafted as a CB, wasn't good there and successfully transitioned to FS, which he has been playing the past couple seasons. He has an issue with missing tackles and he doesn't have 4.3 type of speed but he is a ballhawk, a great communicator and is generally very good in coverage. The Seahawks offered him an extension after his first season as a safety, which he turned down. He bet on himself and is having himself a pretty good year. He is probably looking at an 8 figure AAV deal. Probably something like 3 years/$36M.

Bryant did get some air time in the ES draft thread. A number of us were hoping he'd last until our 4th rounder but he went to Seattle a few picks before ours when we took Percy Butler,,,He would be a nice addition to our backfield

 

[Chris]

Would this rub anyone the wrong way?

 

[Anselmheifer]

Would this rub anyone the wrong way?

Hopefully we also trade for Deshaun Watson.

 

[Chris]

Hopefully we also trade for Deshaun Watson.

Can he kick? 😉

 

[heisenberg]

Would this rub anyone the wrong way?

 

[Discobob]

Would this rub anyone the wrong way?

His family was know as the "Tuggers" before they came here from the old country

 

[method man]

Bryant did get some air time in the ES draft thread. A number of us were hoping he'd last until our 4th rounder but he went to Seattle a few picks before ours when we took Percy Butler,,,He would be a nice addition to our backfield

It’s the story of our franchise under Snyder. Someone way better would go a few picks ahead of ours and we’d get the Walmart version

 

[DWinzit]

It’s the story of our franchise under Snyder. Someone way better would go a few picks ahead of ours and we’d get the Walmart version

Boy isn't that the truth!

Well other than when the right guy fell to us but the moron selecting picked the Walmart version

 

[method man]

Boy isn't that the truth!

Well other than when the right guy fell to us but the moron selecting picked the Walmart version

That did happen too lol. I know Forbes/Gonzalez, Davis/Darrisaw and others were bad but an underrated one is when Ron picked Cam Cheeseman over Trey Smith and Smith went the pick after

 

[SkinsNumberOne]

That did happen too lol. I know Forbes/Gonzalez, Davis/Darrisaw and others were bad but an underrated one is when Ron picked Cam Cheeseman over Trey Smith and Smith went the pick after

This is absolutely one of the worst ones, I know a few fans and I talk about that one a lot. I mean, in some ways, this is the most absurd one, because positionally you look at it and your head kind of explodes.

 

[SkinsNumberOne]

This is absolutely one of the worst ones, I know a few fans and I talk about that one a lot. I mean, in some ways, this is the most absurd one, because positionally you look at it and your head kind of explodes.

Just to see, I asked DuckAI - here is what it said:

Drafting Long Snappers in the NFL​

Overview of Long Snapper Position​

Long snappers are specialized players in football responsible for snapping the ball over longer distances, typically 7-8 yards for field goals and 13-15 yards for punts. This position has gained recognition since the early 1970s when it became a dedicated role rather than being filled by a backup center or lineman.

Draft History​

While long snappers are often overlooked, some teams do draft them. Historically, the first long snapper selected specifically for that role was Patrick Mannelly in 1998. Since then, a few long snappers have been drafted, but it is rare.

Recent Draft Trends​

• 2025 Draft: Julian Ashby was drafted by the New England Patriots as the first long snapper selected since 2021.
• Previous Years: The last long snapper drafted before Ashby was Camaron Cheeseman in 2021.

 

[method man]

Just to see, I asked DuckAI - here is what it said:

Drafting Long Snappers in the NFL​

Overview of Long Snapper Position​

Long snappers are specialized players in football responsible for snapping the ball over longer distances, typically 7-8 yards for field goals and 13-15 yards for punts. This position has gained recognition since the early 1970s when it became a dedicated role rather than being filled by a backup center or lineman.

Draft History​

While long snappers are often overlooked, some teams do draft them. Historically, the first long snapper selected specifically for that role was Patrick Mannelly in 1998. Since then, a few long snappers have been drafted, but it is rare.

Recent Draft Trends​

• 2025 Draft: Julian Ashby was drafted by the New England Patriots as the first long snapper selected since 2021.
• Previous Years: The last long snapper drafted before Ashby was Camaron Cheeseman in 2021.

I remember some other team drafted a long snapper before Cam in 2021. Crazy how some guys are able to get to the senior levels to call the shots

 

[Riggo44]

Saw someone on twitter arguing that Pierce is starting to grow his game and someone in FA could get an ascending player at role player prices. Reminded me of Garçon—not in skill-set, but in terms of trajectory and being a WR2 who might have more to offer.

I think Pierce is an absolute must-get, and I rarely feel that way about anyone in Free Agency. He would be my #1 target. Others I would be very interested in: Quay Walker, Klavon Chiasson, Kyle Pitts. Before anyone questions the Pitts move--I would LOVE to see him in Kingbury's offense. He also hasn't had a good QB since his rookie year--when he was fantastic, suffering through: Marcus Mariota, Desmond Ridder, Kurt Cousins, and now Michael Penix. Give him JD5 and lets see what happens.

 

[Phantvm]

I think Pierce is an absolute must-get, and I rarely feel that way about anyone in Free Agency. He would be my #1 target. Others I would be very interested in: Quay Walker, Klavon Chiasson, Kyle Pitts. Before anyone questions the Pitts move--I would LOVE to see him in Kingbury's offense. He also hasn't had a good QB since his rookie year--when he was fantastic, suffering through: Marcus Mariota, Desmond Ridder, Kurt Cousins, and now Michael Penix. Give him JD5 and lets see what happens.

Are we certain Kliff will still be here? There’s at least some level of plausibility that none of this staff is back if we continue to lose games in the fashion we currently are.

With that aside I like Pierce too. I’d rather target Devin Lloyd than Quay, but Quay would be a fantastic consolation prize. I’m in on Pitts as well.

If we do get Pierce that may alter my feelings on the draft. Pierce+Breece or Kenneth Walker shifts me towards Malaki Lemon. If no combo of those guys then I’m pretty close to all in on Love after a trade down in the draft.

 

[Riggo44]

Are we certain Kliff will still be here? There’s at least some level of plausibility that none of this staff is back if we continue to lose games in the fashion we currently are.

With that aside I like Pierce too. I’d rather target Devin Lloyd than Quay, but Quay would be a fantastic consolation prize. I’m in on Pitts as well.

If we do get Pierce that may alter my feelings on the draft. Pierce+Breece or Kenneth Walker shifts me towards Malaki Lemon. If no combo of those guys then I’m pretty close to all in on Love after a trade down in the draft.

The only way Kliff leaves is for a HC job--and not the Giants job. He's not getting fired. Despite the litany of injuries, we've still moved the ball relatively well, and at least looked competent most of the time. We were top-10 in scoring before the KC & Seattle games (where we looked totally inept on offense). On top of that, I doubt Quinn blows out both staffs after 2 years--he's much more patient than that. Likewise, he built the offensive staff with a succession plan in mind. He's not going to melt that down after one bad season. If Kliff leaves, I imagine he'll be allowed to take either Pritchard or Blough, probably Pritchard, but not much else. That was one of Quinn's big mistakes in Atl--he let Shanahan take the entire offensive staff with him to SF and he didn't adequately replace them.

I can see the defensive side being blown out--although I would be fine retaining Tapp and Norton. Whitt and the entire secondary staff needs to be drawn and quartered.

Honestly, if we get Pierce, our need for WR drops in the draft. Terry, Pierce, Burks, LMC, and Lane, plus maybe Deebo, is a solid group. I still believe in the potential in LMC and Lane. LMC is going to be a very useful player, contributing some on offense and a great returner--a white, less angry Brian Mitchell, potentially. We need a game wrecker on defense. I thought that was going to be Luvu, but he's been terrible this year. I would love Reese, or even trading back into the teens for David Bailey. Cashius Howell later in the round, if they trade back that far. Here is the other thing--Nicki Jhabvala posted that with Armstrong healthy, we were 5th in the league in pressures; 6th worst without.

But agree on Lloyd, he would be my #2 behind Walker. But wouldn't be mad at that. Luvu, Walker/Lloyd, Magee, Medrano bring some serious speed to our defense.

 

[Phantvm]

The only way Kliff leaves is for a HC job--and not the Giants job. He's not getting fired. Despite the litany of injuries, we've still moved the ball relatively well, and at least looked competent most of the time. We were top-10 in scoring before the KC & Seattle games (where we looked totally inept on offense). On top of that, I doubt Quinn blows out both staffs after 2 years--he's much more patient than that. Likewise, he built the offensive staff with a succession plan in mind. He's not going to melt that down after one bad season. If Kliff leaves, I imagine he'll be allowed to take either Pritchard or Blough, probably Pritchard, but not much else. That was one of Quinn's big mistakes in Atl--he let Shanahan take the entire offensive staff with him to SF and he didn't adequately replace them.

I can see the defensive side being blown out--although I would be fine retaining Tapp and Norton. Whitt and the entire secondary staff needs to be drawn and quartered.

Honestly, if we get Pierce, our need for WR drops in the draft. Terry, Pierce, Burks, LMC, and Lane, plus maybe Deebo, is a solid group. I still believe in the potential in LMC and Lane. LMC is going to be a very useful player, contributing some on offense and a great returner--a white, less angry Brian Mitchell, potentially. We need a game wrecker on defense. I thought that was going to be Luvu, but he's been terrible this year. I would love Reese, or even trading back into the teens for David Bailey. Cashius Howell later in the round, if they trade back that far. Here is the other thing--Nicki Jhabvala posted that with Armstrong healthy, we were 5th in the league in pressures; 6th worst without.

But agree on Lloyd, he would be my #2 behind Walker. But wouldn't be mad at that. Luvu, Walker/Lloyd, Magee, Medrano bring some serious speed to our defense.

I understand the idea of a succession plan that Quinn implemented with the building of the offensive staff, but I’m questioning if Quinn himself would even survive until next year if we lose out and continue to be embarrassed on a weekly basis.

I don’t think Pierce mitigates the need to continue to build the WR Corp as a whole. Much to skinsinparadise point, the building of that unit was a massive fail from Peters this season and I don’t expect he plans on repeating that failure. I also don’t think we keep Deebo AND sign Pierce. It’s one or the other in my mind.

Lemon is considerably more talented than Lane or Luke and would round out the receiving unit tremendously. Terry becomes an intermediate demon with occasional deep balls, Pierce continues to destroy defenses deep down the field, and Lemon is the man beater with elite YAC ability. Lane nor Luke will ever be what Lemon COULD be. Luke and Lane are probably elite number 4 and 5 receivers and that doesn’t include the possibility of retaining Burks.

Combine that unit with the addition of Love and Pitts and the offense is complete.

The defense is a multi year project IMO and Lloyd is the crown jewel centerpiece if we can get him. He becomes our Warner. Then build it out from there.

Also don’t sleep on some these acquisitions that seem like nothingburgers. The 49ers were loaded with late round and UDFA players playing at an extremely high level. It just takes time.

 

[burgold]

So, while we don't know much about Harris as a football team owner, we do know that Harris has been very patient and slow to make change in the NBA. So, if change comes, I think it will be GM or coach driven.

At this point, it would frustrate me to see Whitt return. I could see the rationalization being made (It's not fair to judge him considering all the injuries) but that would be ignoring that the defense was almost equally bad in 2024.