The 2026 Free Agency Thread

[burgold]

Damn, if Aiyuk is only worth 8M now then we seriously are overpaying McLaurin. Bet they don't throw around 3rd contracts for 30yo receivers again.

It's the baggage. Aiyuk has seriously damaged his worth. People question his fire, his health, everything about him at this point.

 

[KDawg]

It's the baggage. Aiyuk has seriously damaged his worth. People question his fire, his health, everything about him at this point.

If we can get him for that price it’s a no brainer.

 

[burgold]

If we can get him for that price it’s a no brainer.

Agreed! For that, I'd sign him in a second.

To be fair though, it may be the only way I'd take a chance on him right now.

 

[Command The Best]

It's the baggage. Aiyuk has seriously damaged his worth. People question his fire, his health, everything about him at this point.

I must be the only fan of this team that actually wouldn’t/doesn’t want Aiyuk even if he played for free…

#1 I don’t think he’s as good as he’s perceived to be even without all the baggage…

#2 he hasn’t been healthy in a substantial amount of time.

#3 then there’s the elephant in the room, he’s become a head case diva and if he acted out in a place like SF who is from top to bottom a class organization what makes ppl think he wouldn’t be or worse the same here… just cause he and Daniels has a relationship doesn’t mask his issues….

 

[DWinzit]

Only so many spots. For a backup rotational edge, I’d rather have Jacob Martin at 1/5 and JJB on a rookie deal vs Ossai on 2/20 or 3/30

I was looking at him as a 25 year old with a lot of talent in coverage, tackling and rushing the passer that isn't high priced especially on a multi year contract. He is the type of player we are looking for loaded with potential. Martin had a decent year, and I have no problem bringing him back but we are talking another 30+ year old on a one year deals who will not be better than what we saw last year.

 

[DWinzit]

I must be the only fan of this team that actually wouldn’t/doesn’t want Aiyuk even if he played for free…

#1 I don’t think he’s as good as he’s perceived to be even without all the baggage…

#2 he hasn’t been healthy in a substantial amount of time.

#3 then there’s the elephant in the room, he’s become a head case diva and if he acted out in a place like SF who is from top to bottom a class organization what makes ppl think he wouldn’t be or worse the same here… just cause he and Daniels has a relationship doesn’t mask his issues….

Well it would really be hard to argue that. It's just a decision whether it is all worth the risk.

If selecting FA's off of the qualifications AP suggested in the presser, Aiyuk fails on all of your counts and doesn't' fit the "Commander" label either

 

[SkinsFTW]

I'd definitely take Aiyuk for 8-10M. We are probably the only team he might excell on, that is if JD can last a full season.

 

[HTTR]

Well it would really be hard to argue that. It's just a decision whether it is all worth the risk.

If selecting FA's off of the qualifications AP suggested in the presser, Aiyuk fails on all of your counts and doesn't' fit the "Commander" label either

The “commander label” doesn’t seem to be helping them find talent.

Maybe they should call it something else 😎

 

[DWinzit]

The “commander label” doesn’t seem to be helping them find talent.

Maybe they should call it something else 😎

It sure will be interesting to see how the Aiyuk decision will ply out. I imagine a cap friendly deal will make things difficult for AP to stick with DQ's player vision and if AP is still on board. They were both on the same page the past two years. Aiyuk playing his normal ball puts him at an automatic WR2

 

[Ashburn Dave]

The 2026 NFL free agency signing period and new league year officially begin on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. ET. The legal tampering period, where agents can negotiate with teams, is expected to begin two days prior on Monday, March 9, 2026. This marks the start of the 2026 league year.

NFL Operations +4
Key 2026 NFL Free Agency Dates (Approximate):

• Feb 17: Teams can begin applying franchise/transition tags.
• March 9 (Approx.): Legal tampering period begins (negotiations start).
• March 11, 4 PM ET: New League Year, Free Agency Officially Opens.
  
  
  NFL Operations +2

You can follow the latest updates and find trackers on ESPN and WalterFootball.com as the date approaches.

ESPN +2

 

[bowhunter]

If a player is self represented, can they negotiate during the legal tampering period?

 

[DWinzit]

The end of the tag period is March 3. There will probably be a few disappointments tagged right around there, just before tamper time

 

[Canuck]

Free Agent WR talent is average at best. Realistically sub par

Pierce is likely the top WR available, he is at best a 2, more likely a 3. If we are going to spend, funds are better allocaed to a top TE or RB

 

[bowhunter]

Free Agent WR talent is average at best. Realistically sub par

Pierce is likely the top WR available, he is at best a 2, more likely a 3. If we are going to spend, funds are better allocaed to a top TE or RB

Respectfully, neglecting to add WR depth and talent killed us last year. When Terry went down, the only offensive threat we had was the run game and short field TE/Deebo passes and it made us one dimensional. If I had my druthers, I'm chasing Pierce and even Aiyuk. Pierce was a 47/1000/6 receiver last year, I dunno where you see that as a #3 WR. However, I'm also druthering for Likely and your choice of RB Hall, Walker, Ettiene or White

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

My prediction the Peters will strike again. Mike Evan, Dallas Goedert and Kareem Hunt on offense. Trey Hendrickson, Tredavious White, Kevin Byard and Bobby Wagner defense. Let the fireworks begin.

Not entirely sure how serious you are, I think you basically just named a whole bunch of old guys because you're poking fun at Peters.

However, I would say, if we could get Evans and Hendrickson, even though they are older, I'd be ok with that for a couple of years.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

I've said something along these lines and a lot of the time it gets dismissed. An upgraded system, and some key additions along the front 7 changes the dynamic of the secondary.

I agree, but they are SO thin at CB and Mikey is not prototypical size for an outside guy, so I still think they need one solid starter in FA. Doesn't have to be a top-end, shut down, polish my bust for Canton type guy, but at least a guy who can stand in and be trusted to cover and not wet himself wen a receiver puts a move on him.

I'm not sure who that is, but I think they have to sign one or two "active roster" type CBs even with a better scheme.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

IMO - this would be a home run with a few tweeks here and there.....

Mark Tyler’s Washington Commanders Pre-Combine Mock Offseason

New Washington Commanders team after free agency and the draft

www.hogshaven.com

Starting Cap Space: $63-65M​

Cuts:​

• Marshon Lattimore: $18.5M savings
• Nick Allegretti (Post June 1): $6M savings

I'd be shocked if they cut Allegretti. He's worth having on the roster as the backup to both guards and center. He also is a really good locker room guy, and the OL basically is fixed, there's no reason to open a spot that you have to fill with all the other stuff you have to fill.

They told Lattimore they would release him, so that's happening.

Extensions:​

• Laremy Tunsil: 3yrs/$90M; $65M guaranteed
  • 2026 cap hit: $13M ($11M cap savings in 2026)
• Daron Payne:2yrs/$48M (void year added); $30M guaranteed
  • 2026 cap hit: $15M ($13M cap savings in 2026)

They're not extending Payne. We've been through this, but they are most likely going to have him play out his contract due to math. They could recoup him, but if they did, then they would have to spend more than the savings they get replacing him with an average DT. That makes no sense. Also, he's a good snow boarder, and the more snow boarders you have on the team the better. (That's a hoke, but he posted on Instagram about his snow boarding, and I found it interesting. Dude looks trimmed down a bit.)

Re-signing our own:​

• Chris Paul:3yrs/$21M; $9.5M guaranteed
  • 2026 cap hit: $5M
• Treylon Burks:2yrs/$6.5M; $3M guaranteed + incentives
  • 2026 cap hit: $2M
• Drake Jackson:1yr/$2M + incentives
  • 2026 cap hit: $1.5M
• Chris Rodriguez:2yrs/$4M
  • 2026 cap hit: $1.5M
• Jake Moody:1yr/$1.25M
  • 2026 cap hit: $1M

Totally in on re-signing Paul. CRod is, I believe a restricted FA. I imagine they're going to tender him because why not.

The others, eh. Whatever.

2026 Free Agency (key signings):​

Estimated New Cap Space: $98-100M
Estimated Effective Cap Space: $83-85M

• S - Bryan Cook (26): 4yrs/$66M; $40M guaranteed
  • 2026 cap hit: $11M
• WR - Romeo Doubs (26):3yrs/$50M; $35M guaranteed (void year added)
  • 2026 cap hit: $9M
• CB - Riq Woolen (27): 3yrs/$40m; $25M guaranteed
  • 2026 cap hit: $8.5M
• EDGE - Boye Mafe (27):3yrs/$37M; $22M guaranteed
  • 2026 cap hit: $7.5M
• LB - Nakobe Dean (25):4yrs/$38M; $23.5M guaranteed
  • 2026 cap hit: $6M
• TE - Isaiah Likely (26):3yrs/$27M; $17M guaranteed
  • 2026 cap hit: $6M
• DT - Logan Hall (26):2yrs/$17M; $10M guaranteed
  • 2026 cap hit: $5M
• RB - Rachaad White (27):2yrs/$14M; $10M guaranteed
  • 2026 cap hit: $4M
• *WR - Brandon Aiyuk (28):1yr/$8M; $8M guaranteed + incentives
  • 2026 cap hit: $8M

I don't have a lot to say about this list. Likely seems like a good get for TE. It definitely addresses needs. I'd be shocked if they end up with this exact list, but I think you'll see a lot of the same positions.

Also, I'd stay the hell away from Aiyuk.

 

[SkinsLife]

Not a huge fan of Aiyuk and he is getting close to Antonio Brown level stupidity .. but i do love me a good deal.. and he is bordering that.
If I am Peters i am using this situation to my advantage....assuming his rehab is on track. I go to him and say...

We love you man.. we'd love to have you play with Jaden but here is where we are....
1. you're coming off a major inj
2. Your exit from Niners wasnt good
Sign an incentive laden deal with us for 2 years... keep your head down, work hard and in 2 years you'll be one of the highest paid receivers in the game.. either with us, or another team.
I use Pickens as an example of how he rehabbed his value and now a year later will get a huge deal or a franchise tag at ~30mil a year

Offer him ~20mil over 2y and some incentives... call it a day

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

Not a huge fan of Aiyuk and he is getting close to Antonio Brown level stupidity .. but i do love me a good deal.. and he is bordering that.
If I am Peters i am using this situation to my advantage....assuming his rehab is on track. I go to him and say...

We love you man.. we'd love to have you play with Jaden but here is where we are....
1. you're coming off a major inj
2. Your exit from Niners wasnt good
Sign an incentive laden deal with us for 2 years... keep your head down, work hard and in 2 years you'll be one of the highest paid receivers in the game.. either with us, or another team.
I use Pickens as an example of how he rehabbed his value and now a year later will get a huge deal or a franchise tag at ~30mil a year

Offer him ~20mil over 2y and some incentives... call it a day

Maybe. And maybe Daniels and the team can keep him under control.

But sometime stupid is as stupid does.

And nothing I’ve seen from my guy for the last 2-3 season has shown me anything but bad judgement an an ability to get hurt and cause distractions

Is a good deal worth that? It’s a risk.

Somebody is going to take it. And will look like geniuses if it works and morons if it doesn’t.

 

[SkinsLife]

Maybe. And maybe Daniels and the team can keep him under control.

But sometime stupid is as stupid does.

And nothing I’ve seen from my guy for the last 2-3 season has shown me anything but bad judgement an an ability to get hurt and cause distractions

Is a good deal worth that? It’s a risk.

Somebody is going to take it. And will look like geniuses if it works and morons if it doesn’t.

right.. but its a low risk, high upside deal. Sometimes players need a hard lesson in order to smarten up, and sometimes they are just dumb.. but in that case you cut him with minimal cost. He didn't beat up his gf or shoot anyone.. yet Pickens acquisition is looking solid now.. and he had a bad rep. Some receivers are divas.. but still worth the cost. i would also draft a WR and bring in a solid vet on a team friendly deal so as not to put all my eggs in one basket.