The 2026 Free Agency Thread

[NickyJ]

Moody hasn't been put too deep into the fire yet, but so far, Peters gets kudos for having a kicker who can reach the ball on field goals. It didn't use to stand for something, but now it does.

 

[DWinzit]

Moody hasn't been put too deep into the fire yet, but so far, Peters gets kudos for having a kicker who can reach the ball on field goals. It didn't use to stand for something, but now it does.

Kudos for what appears to be a positive move for sure.
Did he wait too long to make a kicker move or even bring in real competition?

 

[philibusters]

Kudos for what appears to be a positive move for sure.
Did he wait too long to make a kicker move or even bring in real competition?

I don't think so. Matt Gay was 10 for 11 on fg's under 50 yards for us so he wasn't missing easy ones. The probably was he was just 4 out of 9 on 50's over 50 yards. Matt Gay was disappointing, but he was terrible, just missed a lot of long fg's.

 

[UK Skins]

I'm sure I heard his name on Sunday so someone snapped him up pretty quickly. Interesting.

 

[Bulldog]

The reality is some of these guys that are struggling go to another team and put up those 10 for 11 numbers in the stretch run and get their new team to the playoffs.

Kickers are like relief pitchers, they can dominate and then be horrible in consecutive seasons.

It's the rare birds that are consistent pro bowlers and guys that play 10-12 years with one team.

 

[skinsinparadise]

But it didn't take long for those good feelings to vanish. Soon after Aiyuk signed, he and Shanahan had an awkward public exchange on the practice field on Sept. 27, 2024, when Aiyuk wore red shorts when the rest of the team was wearing the required black ones. Aiyuk was seen taking the shorts off on the field and kicking them as he changed in to the correct ones. That it happened publicly after Aiyuk signed the contract was a signal that all was not well despite the new deal.

...On April 1, Aiyuk's $24.935 million roster bonus for 2026 became guaranteed. But Aiyuk missed multiple rehabilitation sessions in the offseason and the Niners voided his 2026 guarantees, including that option bonus.

Still, Aiyuk earned praise from Shanahan and receivers coach Leonard Hankerson for taking an active role in helping the receivers and rehabbing in training camp, perhaps in an effort to get the Niners to reconsider the voided guarantees.

Aiyuk had 50 days from when his guarantees were voided to file a noninjury grievance (recourse for the player through the NFLPA that allows them to challenge club punishments related to contracts, fines or suspensions), but he did not. And though he has been around the facility for rehab in recent weeks, his presence for team activities and practice has been scarce, though teammates say they have been in contact with him.

...In late November, it was mentioned to Shanahan that the voiding of Aiyuk's guarantees seemed to point to his eventual departure. At the time, Shanahan demurred.

"What happened in July, to me, doesn't have anything to do with the future," Shanahan said then. "When it comes to the future of this, I would love for B.A. to be here. I would love for him to get healthy and get back to really helping us out and being a part of this team. We haven't had that in a little bit and I still hold out hope that he can get there. But he obviously hasn't gotten there yet."

It should be noted that Aiyuk is on the physically unable to perform list, not injured reserve, which means the Niners could, in theory, open his practice window to see how healthy he is and how he might fit back into a team he hasn't played with in more than a year before possibly activating him and it wouldn't count against their allotment of eight players they can designate to return from IR. The window for Aiyuk to return to practice or be activated could extend if the Niners make the postseason.

Also, Aiyuk's knee injury was severe and it's fair to wonder if he can perform near the standard he has played at previously, which might make sitting the rest of the regular season more prudent if he can't be at or near full strength.

There is also a delicate balance to keep in mind in the locker room. And while the Niners could use someone of Aiyuk's considerable talents on the field, they also need to ensure they don't disrupt the chemistry and culture this year's team has built during an adverse season.

The more likely scenario is that Aiyuk and the Niners decline to bring him back this season and then part ways -- in whatever form that might take -- in the offseason when the Niners won't have nearly the financial burden they would have before voiding his future guarantees. -- Wagoner

What sort of market would exist for Aiyuk in free agency if he is released?​

Somewhere on the top shelf of available free agent receivers. Dallas' George Pickens is considered the top option, but Dallas could take him off the market with the franchise tag. Aiyuk would most likely be in the class with Indianapolis' Alec Pierce and Green Bay's Romeo Doubs. His turbulent past two years in San Francisco must be accounted for, but he's only 27 and has a transferable skill -- he's an elite route runner, assuming he becomes healthy enough to still beat corners.


One team to potentially watch for Aiyuk is Washington. He is close with quarterback Jayden Daniels, his former teammate at Arizona State. And general manager Adam Peters -- a John Lynch disciple from his time in San Francisco -- understands the Aiyuk experience well. -- Fowler

Will Brandon Aiyuk return for the 49ers this season? Answering five top questions

San Francisco voided the receiver's contract guarantees for next year. What does that mean for this season and beyond?

www.espn.com

 

[Chris]

I'm sure I heard his name on Sunday so someone snapped him up pretty quickly. Interesting.

We got Moody, formerly a 49er. San Fran signed Gay after his release here.

 

[DWinzit]

That's not the best write up on Aiyuk. I must say adding a talent like he (or Pickens) are super intriguing but also scary to invest that amount along with the Terry and Deebo contracts.

Leonard Hankerson is the 49ers WR coach? Wow, he always felt like another eh 3rd rounder that we had higher expectations on and they were deflated quickly.

 

[skinsinparadise]

That's not the best write up on Aiyuk. I must say adding a talent like he (or Pickens) are super intriguing but also scary to invest that amount along with the Terry and Deebo contracts.

Leonard Hankerson is the 49ers WR coach? Wow, he always felt like another eh 3rd rounder that we had higher expectations on and they were deflated quickly.

I don't sweat it either way. Peters knows Aiyuk and has good sources at SF. The way I see it is I'll trust his due dilgence on this. Peters has been good as to FA signings.

 

[method man]

Moody hasn't been put too deep into the fire yet, but so far, Peters gets kudos for having a kicker who can reach the ball on field goals. It didn't use to stand for something, but now it does.

I think Koo may have intentionally stopped because the holder screwed up the hold and had the ball at an angle

 

[DWinzit]

I don't sweat it either way. Peters knows Aiyuk and has good sources at SF. The way I see it is I'll trust his due dilgence on this. Peters has been good as to FA signings.

Peters has been good with identifying FA's that fit well and yes he has extra sources with the Niners. The one concern would be him being influenced by his and Jaydens positive history with Aiyuk while ignoring red flags due to Peters arrogance (as you have labeled) that he appeared to show last year in his team building.

At the end of the day, I am at a point where I would trust AP but would heavily worry about sinking so much CAP into WR's if they also bring back Deebo. I'd hope Aiyuks contract would be more incentive filled.

 

[Riggo44]

Im pretty sure Deebo would not be expensive

 

[Gooseneck]

 

[Riggo44]

Likely likely available?

 

[Skinfanjon]

Likely likely available?

I really hope we give him a bag. He’d be so good with Jayden and in this offense. Sign him, let Ertz walk/retire, and make it a top priority please. He pairs beautifully with Bates and is one of those rare young free agents that has been productive and still has a lot of room to ascend.

 

[DWinzit]

Likely likely available?

My first thought as well, really think he would be a nice addition. If they are sticking with Sinnott and Bates it really seems like a vet TE would make more sense with Sinnott being a huge question mark at this point

 

[Ashburn Dave]

I always thought Likely would take over for Mark Andrews, so I'm surprised that they resigned Andrews.

 

[DWinzit]

Add Likely, Pierce and either Walker or Hall and the offense has been reloaded and ready for action

 

[Commander Wraith]

Man, I really hope there isn’t truth to Conn’s speculation/concern about guaranteed money regarding our ownership, because it feels like we’re really going to need it to be competitive with at least some potential targets.

 

[Skinfanjon]

Add Likely, Pierce and either Walker or Hall and the offense has been reloaded and ready for action

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.