The 2026 Free Agency Thread

[Anselmheifer]

Aiyuk's injury being what it is.. i doubt he can contribute at a high level next year.. so really you're getting him for 27.. not sure many teams are excited about paying him a hefty contract knowing that.

Aiyuk’s ACL surgery was November 2024. He’s going to be almost 2 years out by training camp. If he’s not ok then, he’s never going to be ok.

 

[NoCalSkins]

WIth Aiyuk it simply comes down to whether the player before the knee surgery is coming back. If so, sure pay him, if not, hard pass on how much he will likely be asking for.

 

[method man]

Aiyuk's injury being what it is.. i doubt he can contribute at a high level next year.. so really you're getting him for 27.. not sure many teams are excited about paying him a hefty contract knowing that.

Why would you say that? He will have been removed from major surgery by 23 months when next regular season starts.

 

[method man]

WIth Aiyuk it simply comes down to whether the player before the knee surgery is coming back. If so, sure pay him, if not, hard pass on how much he will likely be asking for.

Odds are he is taking a 1 year prove it deal

 

[DWinzit]

Odds are he is taking a 1 year prove it deal

You don't think he'd be able to get a good contract? Like you said, it will be a year and a half since the injury when preseason begins. If willing to sign him, it seems like you offer more than a year. Maybe a 3 year deal. It's a good spot for AP pushing it to get him in the door.

 

[method man]

You don't think he'd be able to get a good contract? Like you said, it will be a year and a half since the injury when preseason begins. If willing to sign him, it seems like you offer more than a year. Maybe a 3 year deal. It's a good spot for AP pushing it to get him in the door.

There is going to be quite a spread on what he would be looking for and what any team will offer for a multiyear contract, hence why a 1 year prove it deal for real money is the likely outcome. He is probably looking at something like 1 year $20m w incentives

 

[RedWolf]

10 dream free agents who could ignite massive Commanders shopping splurge

Big changes are coming, and aggression is needed.

riggosrag.com

 

[SkinsLife]

Why would you say that? He will have been removed from major surgery by 23 months when next regular season starts.

22 month..maybe even 21 (if his surgery was at the end of Nov) . It takes most football players 2y to fully come back from an ACL. He had ACL, MCL, and meniscus tears. Depending on how well his rehab is going he might not be able to fully do off season conditioning at the right level and team can chose to bring him back slowly. At best he is effective mid season.
Since there isnt much info out about his rehab and progress.. i am saying its a likely outcome, not definite

 

[Riggo44]

I wouldn't touch Aiyuk with a 10 meter cattle prod. Something there stinks worse than 2 month old broccoli

 

[DWinzit]

I wouldn't touch Aiyuk with a 10 meter cattle prod. Something there stinks worse than 2 month old broccoli

It sure doesn't feel like a comfortable situation. We just spent a ton of money with little return on Terry. Now we have another talented WR with ties to Daniels and AP who would more than likely require another large contract who has numerous negatives about prior relations with his past team, and coming off injury for a start

 

[skinsinparadise]

Yeah his season continues to get better

 

[HTTR]

Yeah his season continues to get better

Absolutely! He is really blossoming this year. And he’s only 25. This is the type of FA we should be going after. He may be expensive, but he’s going into his prime. I’m so done with signing cheap old guys in free agency.

Here’s an article I read about it from the Colts perspective… Sounds like they aren’t very confident about signing him back.

Colts officially have a massive Alec Pierce problem on their hands

The Indianapolis Colts are struggling a bit more recently, but one issue with wide receiver Alec Pierce isn't going away.

horseshoeheroes.com

 

[Die Hard]

Pierce is a popular target of every fan base right now... and probably every GM.... seeing as there is limited options.

If history is any indication, that means this franchise won't be in the mix. I wouldn't get my hopes up.

 

[HTTR]

Pierce is a popular target of every fan base right now... and probably every GM.... seeing as there is limited options.

If history is any indication, that means this franchise won't be in the mix. I wouldn't get my hopes up.

Is that because you don’t believe he will want to come here, or because you don’t believe that we will go after a highly sought after guy? Because I do think a player like Pierce would love to come play with a QB like Jayden. But yeah, I don’t know if AP will change his ways or not. What I do know is that it would be malpractice to ever let Jayden get into a situation again where he is throwing passes to the likes of Robbie chosen.
And I think one thing we’ve all learned or been reminded of this year is that having quality weapons can be every bit as important to protecting your quarterback as having a quality line.

 

[Die Hard]

Is that because you don’t believe he will want to come here, or because you don’t believe that we will go after a highly sought after guy? Because I do think a player like Pierce would love to come play with a QB like Jayden. But yeah, I don’t know if AP will change his ways or not. What I do know is that it would be malpractice to ever let Jayden get into a situation again where he is throwing passes to the likes of Robbie chosen.
And I think one thing we’ve all learned or been reminded of this year is that having quality weapons can be every bit as important to protecting your quarterback as having a quality line.

Peters hasn't shown to be a Free Agency Day 1 signing guy so far. And by the looks of it... Pierce is going to be a Day 1 signing with a lot of competition because he's probably the #1 WR target available.

Peters traded for Samuel to be a #2. So here, it's going to be Pierce or Samuel... as far as cash allotment to a #2 Wr. I just don't see the team walking away from Deebo... gives the team special teams, offensive options... and a good locker-room guy. Plus the spent cost of capital.

 

[HTTR]

Well, I sure hope he doesn’t settle for Deebo because he spent the fifth round pick when there is an opportunity to get someone younger and better. Seems like they would’ve offered him an extension if he was the long term plan, no?

 

[DWinzit]

Peters hasn't shown to be a Free Agency Day 1 signing guy so far. And by the looks of it... Pierce is going to be a Day 1 signing with a lot of competition because he's probably the #1 WR target available.

Peters traded for Samuel to be a #2. So here, it's going to be Pierce or Samuel... as far as cash allotment to a #2 Wr. I just don't see the team walking away from Deebo... gives the team special teams, offensive options... and a good locker-room guy. Plus the spent cost of capital.

I would think if they determine Pierce is a great fit and more important or easier or o fill in FA, they will make a go a him.

I don't know about Peters not making first day signings. In 2024 during the tampering period they agreed with Wagner, Mariota, Chinn, Ertz, Biadasz, Luvu, Armstrong, McManus and Fowler

 

[Riggo44]

I don't know about Peters not making first day signings.

They also signed Kinlaw to that "massively overpriced" deal!

 

[DWinzit]

They also signed Kinlaw to that "massively overpriced" deal!

Why yes they did. They agreed with a number of their existing players and signed him during the 2025 tampering period.

I am sure they will have a couple players identified as must try to sign on the first day in March

 

[method man]

Seeing the FA board currently, when it comes to starters, I think they can go cheap on a 1 year deal at LB and TE if they want. They could potentially go cheap at slot CB or outside CB too depending on what they want to do with Sainristil. Finally, there is also the 1 year contract Dobbins tier if a slight upgrade at RB is what they want.

They will have to hand out real multiyear contracts or spend big draft capital at WR, EDGE and deep safety for meaningful upgrades.