The 2026 Free Agency Thread

[skinsinparadise]

AP has prided himself on prior drafting, keeping within a budget and making a few key trades.

The more I look at FA, our lack of 2026 draft picks and all of the holes we have, I am expecting him to make a trade of future draft capital for a big name FA to fill either a WR2, Edge1 or CB1 role.

I hope not. The 2027 NFL draft is looking historically loaded.

I'd bet against it. Peters already taking some flak for building an older roster, squandering draft picks, etc -- I just don't see him doubling down on trading away the future.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Between watch I watched of Chubb and Logan Paulsen's review of him upon watching some of his games, I am meh about singing Chubb.

 

[DWinzit]

I hope not. The 2027 NFL draft is looking historically loaded.

I'd bet against it. Peters already taking some flak for building an older roster, squandering draft picks, etc -- I just don't see him doubling down on trading away the future.

I want to build up this roster with solid draft picks so it is the last thing I want as well. That's why I am okay with the small trade back at 7 and figure on another trade back on day 3.

I am just looking at all the needs and the pressure he and DQ should feel to right the ship. Seems like they are the only reel assets they can leverage to increase the talent pool quickly.

On and agree on Chubb. If they sign him it would be before the draft to have someone locked up...I'd rather skip him

 

[skinsinparadise]

I want to build up this roster with solid draft picks so it is the last thing I want as well. That's why I am okay with the small trade back at 7 and figure on another trade back on day 3.

I am just looking at all the needs and the pressure he and DQ should feel to right the ship. Seems like they are the only reel assets they can leverage to increase the talent pool quickly.

On and agree on Chubb. If they sign him it would be before the draft to have someone locked up...I'd rather skip him

If he's trading future capital then he'd be trading up or trading for a veteran. Don't see either thing but who knows.

I definitely can see them trading back.

If this current crop of FAs hold, they got plenty fish in the sea to upgrade the roster in a big way IMO.

 

[DWinzit]

If he's trading future capital then he'd be trading up or trading for a veteran. Don't see either thing but who knows.

I definitely can see them trading back.

If this current crop of FAs hold, they got plenty fish in the sea to upgrade the roster in a big way IMO.

I see him trading away futures for a stud FA.

My hope is that doesn't occur and that there's a small trade back early and another late

There are some good FAs at positions of needs (which are plenty). Certainly going for more cutts of good players, not a lot of the good ones resigning with current teams prior to the 9th or getting tagged. Sadly looks as though a lot of the most desirable will be tagged

 

[skinsinparadise]

I see him trading away futures for a stud FA.

My hope is that doesn't occur and that there's a small trade back early and another late

There are some good FAs at positions of needs (which are plenty). Certainly going for more cutts of good players, not a lot of the good ones resigning with current teams prior to the 9th or getting tagged. Sadly looks as though a lot of the most desirable will be tagged

I don't. But will see. By FA I assume you mean veteran because you don't have to trade for a FA.

 

[burgold]

Adam Peters is not George Allen. At least I hope not. He has been a little trade crazy at the beginning of his tenure but that was a bug and not a feature.

The playoff run grab for a corner was an exception. You don't find top three tackles in free agency and they can be hard to draft especially if you expect to be picking low. The Deebo trade was the head scratcher. You can get decent wide receivers in free agency. We got Henry Ellard and Laverneus Cole and maybe a dozen good receivers in free agency over the years. So, that does make you wonder how much Peters likes the "surer" thing of a trade but he was also burned on the Lattimore trade and singed on Deebo. Deebo was fine, but he was not exceptional. More importantly, he was not substantially better than he could have gotten had he chosen to go the free agent route. So, lesson learned... maybe?

What we don't know is whether Peters is feeling pressure to win now. We know Quinn ought to be. For Peters to build through the draft requires patience from the owners, fans, skill to pick the right players, a little luck, and good coaching/teaching to maximize the draftees potential. Right now, I don't think Harris is even thinking about firing Peters. GMs usually get a longer tenure and Harris seems to be a very patient owner based on his businesses and his other sport franchises. That means that Peters doesn't have to make risky trades and blow through resources for quick fixes. So, I don't expect to see draft pick for player trades.

I'd also argue that Peters free agent strategy has been thorough but not aggressive. The fact that he flipped nearly half the roster, but did so getting almost all gray beards, blue collar guys, and one year prove it contract guys meant he was just trying to patch up the boat instead of investing in it. In truth, that was his free agency strategy in 2024 and 2025. He went for it in trades, but his general strategy was very cautious. He didn't want free agents to build around. He wanted free agents who kept the boat afloat until the draft picks got up to speed.

So, I don't see a trade for a player this offseason. The pressure to find the missing piece that we felt at the start of 2025 because we hoped the team would be a perrenial contender is gone. Peters can build now. He no longer has a rush job on his hand.

 

[DWinzit]

I don't. But will see. By FA I assume you mean veteran because you don't have to trade for a FA.

Yes, sorry, or a tagged player

 

[DWinzit]

Adam Peters is not George Allen. At least I hope not. He has been a little trade crazy at the beginning of his tenure but that was a bug and not a feature.

The playoff run grab for a corner was an exception. You don't find top three tackles in free agency and they can be hard to draft especially if you expect to be picking low. The Deebo trade was the head scratcher. You can get decent wide receivers in free agency. We got Henry Ellard and Laverneus Cole and maybe a dozen good receivers in free agency over the years. So, that does make you wonder how much Peters likes the "surer" thing of a trade but he was also burned on the Lattimore trade and singed on Deebo. Deebo was fine, but he was not exceptional. More importantly, he was not substantially better than he could have gotten had he chosen to go the free agent route. So, lesson learned... maybe?

What we don't know is whether Peters is feeling pressure to win now. We know Quinn ought to be. For Peters to build through the draft requires patience from the owners, fans, skill to pick the right players, a little luck, and good coaching/teaching to maximize the draftees potential. Right now, I don't think Harris is even thinking about firing Peters. GMs usually get a longer tenure and Harris seems to be a very patient owner based on his businesses and his other sport franchises. That means that Peters doesn't have to make risky trades and blow through resources for quick fixes. So, I don't expect to see draft pick for player trades.

I'd also argue that Peters free agent strategy has been thorough but not aggressive. The fact that he flipped nearly half the roster, but did so getting almost all gray beards, blue collar guys, and one year prove it contract guys meant he was just trying to patch up the boat instead of investing in it. In truth, that was his free agency strategy in 2024 and 2025. He went for it in trades, but his general strategy was very cautious. He didn't want free agents to build around. He wanted free agents who kept the boat afloat until the draft picks got up to speed.

So, I don't see a trade for a player this offseason. The pressure to find the missing piece that we felt at the start of 2025 because we hoped the team would be a perrenial contender is gone. Peters can build now. He no longer has a rush job on his hand.

Your assumptions of his being trade crazy but that was a bug and pressure being off him may be right may be correct, or totally off.

I see him as having pressure to fill tons of holes with younger upgrades that are not on one year contracts while the franchise QB is on a rookie deal. The pressure is tougher with a new unproven OC and DC. Time will tell and I hope you are correct

 

[burgold]

Yeah, I’m not convinced my opinion is correct either

 

[Boone]

Peters is a typical GM so far. Some good moves, some bad, some 'meh'. I don't think he's at risk for getting fired unless we go through a couple more non-winning seasons back to back. And I don't think he's under any more 'pressure' than any other GM - they are ALL under pressure at all times.

 

[Conn]

This is my skepticism with Etienne. Feels a little like fool’s gold. I’d rather “overpay” proportionally for Walker let’s say (or Hall obviously but not looking like he’d be available) than get a slightly better deal on Etienne.

For a guy who is supposed to provide explosives, CRod beat his top speed last season in a much worse overall offense. That’s not encouraging.

 

[HTTR]

For me, APs job shouldn’t be on the line at all. And I wouldn’t want him to be operating that way. In his job he should always be considering the long term, not worrying about what he can do immediately to save his job. I hope ownership is letting him know that he doesn’t have to worry for at least a few years. After so many years of a meddling owner and incompetent yes men as “GM’s“, I am thrilled to finally have well respected football guy steering the ship. He’s only in his second year as an GM after taking over a talent barren catastrophe of a roster. Having such an empty cupboard of talent and depth makes every misstep that much more catastrophic. Leaves him with such a little margin for error compared to other GM’s. Howie Roseman can throw away a third round pick for bum Dotson, and not even feel it. Peters makes a similar mistake and we’re screwed. I say give him the time he needs to grow into the job and eventually build our roster into a solid perennial contender.

 

[Conn]

For me, APs job shouldn’t be on the line at all. And I wouldn’t want him to be operating that way. In his job he should always be considering the long term, not worrying about what he can do immediately to save his job. I hope ownership is letting him know that he doesn’t have to worry for at least a few years. After so many years of a meddling owner and incompetent yes men as “GM’s“, I am thrilled to finally have well respected football guy steering the ship. He’s only in his second year as an GM after taking over a talent barren catastrophe of a roster. Having such an empty cupboard of talent and depth makes every misstep that much more catastrophic. Leaves him with such a little margin for error compared to other GM’s. Howie Roseman can throw away a third round pick for bum Dotson, and not even feel it. Peters makes a similar mistake and we’re screwed. I say give him the time he needs to grow into the job and eventually build our roster into a solid perennial contender.

I get it, I really do. AP was my dream hire even before he seemed realistic for us. But I have to keep saying, we don’t need a savior anymore. Him being a real professional football guy, a blue chip GM candidate, doesn’t really matter because if he fails, Harris will hire another one. We have a regular, professional organizational structure now and that’s more important than any individual person holding the GM role, big picture, coming from the Snyder years where we needed one special snowflake decision-maker to save us from hell.

Now, he should get a decent-length leash assuming he doesn’t comically fumble this offseason.

But eventually he needs to crush a draft class or two, no? How long are you willing to let him “grow into the role” if he’s not drafting some pro bowlers outside of Jayden (as a figure of speech, you know the level of talent I mean, obviously the actual pro bowl is a joke now)?

Yes, he was dealt a tough hand with the roster. But in terms of resources, he only deigned to leave his spot with the 49ers to come to our organization because we offered him the perfect setup: craft the org in his image, handpick his right hand man in the FO, handpick his HC, handpick his #2 overall QB in a strong QB draft, three 2nd round picks and two 3rd round picks, completely intact future draft ammunition, a healthy future cap situation, and in fact league-leading available cap space, or close enough.

HE came to US because it was a great opportunity for a heralded GM candidate to finally take his first baby steps into the position after years of being picky about which interviews he’d entertain. He was the prize, yes, but so were we despite the poor existing roster.

So when do we stop grading him on a curve? I’m fine if the answer is “philosophically I believe in giving an autonomous GM 4-5 years unbothered before evaluating his roster and results”, that wouldn’t necessarily be my answer but it sounds like it may be yours.

I’d even give him another swing at a HC hire if he has a good offseason and Quinn & Co. squander it, personally.

But I need to start seeing that eye for talent we hired him for. Being a professional football guy isn’t enough for me anymore, the next GM will be that as well. I need him to start showing he’s good at his job and that he can indeed build through the draft by identifying some GREAT young players, while supplementing with good FA signings, while showing aptitude for evaluating our own roster talent and re-signing our own.

Reasonable people can disagree how long he should have to show that, but if he doesn’t…how much of Jayden’s career are you willing to hypothetically waste on the IDEA of Adam Peters? It’s worth considering, although I fully agree we aren’t there yet.

 

[HTTR]

I get it, I really do. AP was my dream hire even before he seemed realistic for us. But I have to keep saying, we don’t need a savior anymore. Him being a real professional football guy, a blue chip GM candidate, doesn’t really matter because if he fails, Harris will hire another one. We have a regular, professional organizational structure now and that’s more important than any individual person holding the GM role, big picture, coming from the Snyder years where we needed one special snowflake decision-maker to save us from hell.

Now, he should get a decent-length leash assuming he doesn’t comically fumble this offseason.

But eventually he needs to crush a draft class or two, no? How long are you willing to let him “grow into the role” if he’s not drafting some pro bowlers outside of Jayden (as a figure of speech, you know the level of talent I mean, obviously the actual pro bowl is a joke now)?

Yes, he was dealt a tough hand with the roster. But in terms of resources, he only deigned to leave his spot with the 49ers to come to our organization because we offered him the perfect setup: craft the org in his image, handpick his right hand man in the FO, handpick his HC, handpick his #2 overall QB in a strong QB draft, three 2nd round picks and two 3rd round picks, completely intact future draft ammunition, a healthy future cap situation, and in fact league-leading available cap space, or close enough.

HE came to US because it was a great opportunity for a heralded GM candidate to finally take his first baby steps into the position after years of being picky about which interviews he’d entertain. He was the prize, yes, but so were we despite the poor existing roster.

So when do we stop grading him on a curve? I’m fine if the answer is “philosophically I believe in giving an autonomous GM 4-5 years unbothered before evaluating his roster and results”, that wouldn’t necessarily be my answer but it sounds like it may be yours.

I’d even give him another swing at a HC hire if he has a good offseason and Quinn & Co. squander it, personally.

But I need to start seeing that eye for talent we hired him for. Being a professional football guy isn’t enough for me anymore, the next GM will be that as well. I need him to start showing he’s good at his job and that he can indeed build through the draft by identifying some GREAT young players, while supplementing with good FA signings, while showing aptitude for evaluating our own roster talent and re-signing our own.

Reasonable people can disagree how long he should have to show that, but if he doesn’t…how much of Jayden’s career are you willing to hypothetically waste on the IDEA of Adam Peters? It’s worth considering, although I fully agree we aren’t there yet.

That’s not at all unreasonable Conn and yes, I think you have my view correct. 4 to 5 years is a reasonable time frame for a guy coming in with his credentials. Two drafts is not enough for me to judge him on especially when he’s had to give up picks to fill gaping holes that he inherited. To already be getting ready to jump ship at this point seems panicky. Maybe I’m just too patient.

Since you say you are willing to give him another swing at hiring a second coaching staff, we may be talking about around the same timeframe anyway.

 

[KDawg]

I’d take Chubb on a fair contract. I don’t think he’s as good as people think he is and kinda fall in with skinsinparadise on Chubb’s ability. But if the money is right he is probably an upgrade to the guys we are currently trotting out. He’s not ideal. But he’s better than what we have. Which isn’t a high bar. Safety is the same.

 

[Riggo44]

 

[method man]

For me, APs job shouldn’t be on the line at all. And I wouldn’t want him to be operating that way. In his job he should always be considering the long term, not worrying about what he can do immediately to save his job. I hope ownership is letting him know that he doesn’t have to worry for at least a few years. After so many years of a meddling owner and incompetent yes men as “GM’s“, I am thrilled to finally have well respected football guy steering the ship. He’s only in his second year as an GM after taking over a talent barren catastrophe of a roster. Having such an empty cupboard of talent and depth makes every misstep that much more catastrophic. Leaves him with such a little margin for error compared to other GM’s. Howie Roseman can throw away a third round pick for bum Dotson, and not even feel it. Peters makes a similar mistake and we’re screwed. I say give him the time he needs to grow into the job and eventually build our roster into a solid perennial contender.

AP took the job here in part due to the ability to take JD at #2 and having a bunch more Day 2 picks to reshape the roster in his vision. He blew that and, besides JD, is the current roster meaningfully better than the one Ron left behind two years ago? I think that’s a no.

It goes to @Conn’s point that AP hasn’t hit any extra base hits in the draft. JD is JD and, other than that, he has either struck out or hit singles (even old Ron had Kam Curl in 2020). Some of the 2024/2025 guys have to emerge into at least good starters this year, guys capable of getting 8 figure AAV multiyear contracts.

This is a harder ask given the lack of premium capital in 2026 but AP needs to hit on #7 and #71 and at least #7 needs to be a good Day 1 starter for us

 

[method man]

Gotta remember new Prez of Football Ops Matt Ryan was Pitts’s QB in his rookie year when he had a 1K season. Ryan’s sample size is seeing Pitts at his best

 

[Higskin]

Good for Pitts but I was always interested in Likely and Chig anyway.