The 2026 Free Agency Thread

[Riggo44]

Pierce is 4th on his own team in terms of number of targets after Pittman, Warren and Downs. What that points to are weaknesses in his game that stunt him from getting more targets. Despite this season he is having, he is probably going to finish with 50 or fewer catches this year.

His catches are down, but he provides something. That off the top type receiver who keeps safeties back. Perhaps his lack of route tree or targets keeps his price down, but it would be a nice weapon to have.

Tha wouldn't preclude drafting a receiver either

 

[method man]

His catches are down, but he provides something. That off the top type receiver who keeps safeties back. Perhaps his lack of route tree or targets keeps his price down, but it would be a nice weapon to have.

Tha wouldn't preclude drafting a receiver either

Terry gives us that skillset and the NFL insiders think Pierce is getting $20M+.

I’d rather have Dyami as WR4 as my deep threat for $3M

 

[Riggo44]

Terry gives us that skillset and the NFL insiders think Pierce is getting $20M+.

I’d rather have Dyami as WR4 as my deep threat for $3M

Dyami Brown has 1000 yards in his career. He's a nothing player. Pierce is a legitimate deep threat we haven't had since DeSean Jackson

 

[skinsmarydu]

DeSean Jackson

That's the name my brain was searching for a few hours ago, when someone mentioned Pierre.

Man, that was a great season, for a lot of reasons.

 

[method man]

Dyami Brown has 1000 yards in his career. He's a nothing player. Pierce is a legitimate deep threat we haven't had since DeSean Jackson

A deep threat is great but I don't think that is necessarily our issue as Terry is pretty good one himself

Watching the Rams-Seahawks, Shaheed is another guy who may be better value than Pierce too. Deep threat + elite return man

 

[method man]

Jakobi Meyers gets 3/60 with $40M guaranteed. Whoa

 

[Riggo44]

A deep threat is great but I don't think that is necessarily our issue as Terry is pretty good one himself

Watching the Rams-Seahawks, Shaheed is another guy who may be better value than Pierce too. Deep threat + elite return man

Shaheed is averaged 11.9 YPC this year. Pierce has almost doubled that, two years in a row.

 

[skinsmarydu]

Jakobi Meyers gets 3/60 with $40M guaranteed. Whoa

Yep, my little hippie is gettin' it done with him in DUUUUUUUVAL!

My best hope for this season's SB is JAX/SF...and I'll just hope for a good game. I know it probably won't happen for JAX, with the Pats and Bills out there, but SF has a chance (my late husband's team, and when we're out, they're mine.)

 

[method man]

Shaheed is averaged 11.9 YPC this year. Pierce has almost doubled that, two years in a row.

He was on pace for a career season as a receiver this year before he got traded. Was pacing just behind Pierce as a receiver with 499 yards while Pierce was at 611.

The elite ex 1st team all pro return man is back though. He has both a KR TD and a punt return TD in 7 games with the Seahawks

While Pierce is going to finish with 200 more receiving yards than Shaheed, Shaheed has 4 all purpose TDs and Pierce has 2.

Shaheed is not a fit here given we have Lane and LMC but something I’ve noticed team is going to pay him $15M a year while another pays Pierce $25M a year and the team that signs Shaheed is going get better overall value

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

I liked the Deebo trade and he gave them pretty much what I expected. But signing him to another big deal is very dangerous. I don't know what to think of Aiyuk. Obviously these red flags are concerning. But WRs are divas by nature and if they pass on him somebody will be getting a very good WR.

Without knowing the names it's my understanding that there are a number of TEs available in free agency. Andrews is someone I would be interested in but I'm sure there are others.

Payne is a tougher call. I do not believe he has any trade value and he did play well this season, at least earlier. This is his 2nd contract year effectively and we see how he works hard in a contract year. But I'm also pretty tired of his act.

 

[Riggo44]

He was on pace for a career season as a receiver this year before he got traded. Was pacing just behind Pierce as a receiver with 499 yards while Pierce was at 611.

The elite ex 1st team all pro return man is back though. He has both a KR TD and a punt return TD in 7 games with the Seahawks

While Pierce is going to finish with 200 more receiving yards than Shaheed, Shaheed has 4 all purpose TDs and Pierce has 2.

Shaheed is not a fit here given we have Lane and LMC but something I’ve noticed team is going to pay him $15M a year while another pays Pierce $25M a year and the team that signs Shaheed is going get better overall value

You're completely undervaluing Pierce by wedging other attributes that don't matter, dismissing Pierce's overwhelming YPC advantage, and just saying so-and-so is a better player because of higher catch volumes. 11.9 YPC is Deebo Samuel territory. If we want someone that catches 100 balls for 800 yards, Wandale Robinson is also available. We don't have anyone that threatens over the top like Pierce--not even McLaurin provides that level threat.

 

[burgold]

I think that's who we hope Lane becomes. First though, he needs to learn to catch.

 

[Simeon]

I liked the Deebo trade and he gave them pretty much what I expected. But signing him to another big deal is very dangerous. I don't know what to think of Aiyuk. Obviously these red flags are concerning. But WRs are divas by nature and if they pass on him somebody will be getting a very good WR.

Without knowing the names it's my understanding that there are a number of TEs available in free agency. Andrews is someone I would be interested in but I'm sure there are others.

Payne is a tougher call. I do not believe he has any trade value and he did play well this season, at least earlier. This is his 2nd contract year effectively and we see how he works hard in a contract year. But I'm also pretty tired of his act.

Payne is still under contract next year. He upped his level of play this year because his contract overpaid and after this year is the first opportunity we could realistically cut him without a heavy cap penalty. If he stays he will also play at a higher level next season because that’s an actual contract year. Whether we keep him next year depends on how much they think his play at this higher level is worth the cost and what they can get in trade. Or maybe if he is willing to take a cut.

What they should not do is extend him either before or after next season. He has proven he needs immediate financial consequences to motivate his play and will put in average effort if it’s not there or he feels safe.

In another way I feel the same about Deebo. I believe he would put the effort in on the field but needs contract motivation to stay in NFL shape. No to a resign at a price he will probably ask.

 

[method man]

You're completely undervaluing Pierce by wedging other attributes that don't matter, dismissing Pierce's overwhelming YPC advantage, and just saying so-and-so is a better player because of higher catch volumes. 11.9 YPC is Deebo Samuel territory. If we want someone that catches 100 balls for 800 yards, Wandale Robinson is also available. We don't have anyone that threatens over the top like Pierce--not even McLaurin provides that level threat.

I’m comparing Pierce to another guy in Shaheed who is perceived to be a deep threat. I’m not comparing him to Deebo or Wandale.

At the end of the day, Pierce reads to me like a low volume high YPC guy who is a complementary receiver. Giving him $25m is very very rich in my opinion and there is better value to be had elsewhere

 

[Riggo44]

I’m comparing Pierce to another guy in Shaheed who is perceived to be a deep threat. I’m not comparing him to Deebo or Wandale.

At the end of the day, Pierce reads to me like a low volume high YPC guy who is a complementary receiver. Giving him $25m is very very rich in my opinion and there is better value to be had elsewhere

Two things:
1. I am skeptical of the $25m pricetag. I think he gets less than that
2. Deep threats do not average 11.9 YPC.

They're two different players.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

Yep, my little hippie is gettin' it done with him in DUUUUUUUVAL!

My best hope for this season's SB is JAX/SF...and I'll just hope for a good game. I know it probably won't happen for JAX, with the Pats and Bills out there, but SF has a chance (my late husband's team, and when we're out, they're mine.)

For some reason I have been rooting for the Niners. Normally a team with their history of success would be an automatic no-go for me. I root for the Browns of the world because their fans deserve better. But maybe it's Shanny, maybe it's the amazing story that is Brock Purdy or how they throw the ball down the field. But I root for them and have for several years.

 

[Always Commander Never Captain]

Signing Pierce just makes sense.

• Outside WR provides a lot of roster/draft flexibility, we could even start rotating Terry to the slot on occasion.
• He's still really young.
• He's an actual + size/speed guy
• He would be the tallest starting WR we've had since 2017
• He's successfully stretched defenses enough that Jonathan Taylor is having his best season since 2021 if not better than that.
• It opens up so much for Jayden Daniels.

Reason against...he's going to be expensive. Young Age + Ascending Player + Size/Speed = Premium Money

But it's worth it for a team like us. We can go into the draft with real options instead of panic mode trying to save Jayden Daniels from putting the entire offense on his back...again.

 

[Conn]

For some reason I have been rooting for the Niners. Normally a team with their history of success would be an automatic no-go for me. I root for the Browns of the world because their fans deserve better. But maybe it's Shanny, maybe it's the amazing story that is Brock Purdy or how they throw the ball down the field. But I root for them and have for several years.

Nah I get it, in a vacuum when no other interests are at play I root for Shanny as well and have since he left. It’s been really cool seeing him and his coaching tree slowly take over the league

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

Nah I get it, in a vacuum when no other interests are at play I root for Shanny as well and have since he left. It’s been really cool seeing him and his coaching tree slowly take over the league

People laugh at me and call me an angry old man for doing this but I almost make up reasons to like or dislike a team. Games are more fun when you have a rooting interest. For example I've always rooted against the Bears because their fans act like Ditka's team was a dynasty when the fact is they went to exactly 1 Super Bowl and never got close to another. If a college team is from Texas I will root for the other teams because Texas is full of arrogant assholes who believe The Great State of Texas is the greatest place on Earth and are very vocal about that. For the same reasons, as I said, I will always root for the teams who have traditionally struggled because their fans deserve it.

 

[method man]

Two things:
1. I am skeptical of the $25m pricetag. I think he gets less than that
2. Deep threats do not average 11.9 YPC.

They're two different players.

You are focusing on a small sample size of this season. Before this season, he averaged 17.4, 15.6 and 17.5 yards per catch. Clemens decided to feed him targets all over the field this season and he has set a career high in both catches and targets despite the production dip as a receiver in Seattle. That is a testament to his versatility and growth as a receiver.

Lastly, it seems you've ever seen him play and are not familiar with his game. He is probably one of the 5 fastest players in the league and puts up plays like this.

Can't-Miss Play: 87-yard TD! Shaheed hits 21.72 MPH on deep scoring strike from Rattler

New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler throws an 87-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Rashid Shaheed.

www.nfl.com

Pierce, for reference, ran a 4.41 40