The 2026 Free Agency Thread

They'll be aggressive, they'll fill needs, but they're not going to spend every dime of the cap. Nor should they.
 
HTTR said:
That’s where I’m at. Cautiously optimistic. I’m not getting my hopes up. Seemed like a no-brainer that it would’ve happened last year and it didn’t. Now we have to hope that a) peters lives up to these rumors and b) top free agents will choose us over other destinations now that we are no longer really considered a SB contender.
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In the first two offseasons under Peters, Washington signed 50 players in free agency, including 18 who re-signed with the franchise. Last offseason they signed 24 players -- including 14 who re-signed -- and 26 players in 2024, with 22 new to the franchise.

They have just five players from their first free agent class signed for this season and four from last season. That doesn't mean a handful won't return, but it does suggest Washington needs -- and wants -- to add more players on multi-year deals to prevent big roster turnover each season.

As one team source said, the first offseason was about trying to add players who could lay the foundation for the culture they wanted. So they signed veteran players such as linebacker Bobby Wagner, tight end Zach Ertz and running back Austin Ekeler. There's a chance none of them are on the roster in 2026.

Last season, they re-signed a number of veterans; only two newcomers received multi-year deals via free agency: safety Will Harris and defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw. They wanted to run it back with their own vets while adding some more, considering it helped them the previous season. The Commanders did not saddle themselves with bad contracts, but they also left themselves needing to fill multiple holes once again this offseason.

www.espn.com

Expect Commanders to go big in free agency this offseason

Washington is expected to be aggressive pursuing players at edge rusher, receiver and corner in particular.
www.espn.com www.espn.com
 
Riggo44 said:
They'll be aggressive, they'll fill needs, but they're not going to spend every dime of the cap. Nor should they.
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No one ever spends every dime. The goal is to fill needs and do it with adequate players. We have many active roster holes. I did the math last night and we have about $5M/open roster spot to spend based on the current cap.

We literally cannot spend big in every position.

This is where the FO is going to earn their keep with quality signings and splashing on the must have guys.

And we have to draft well.
 
Riggo44 said:
They'll be aggressive, they'll fill needs, but they're not going to spend every dime of the cap. Nor should they.
Click to expand...

I don’t think anyone expects that. Even the most annoying haters don’t expect that. There’s a Grand Canyon sized gap between that and what we did last year, so lots of wiggle room to make a majority of people happy that they’re focused on doing the most they can to be competitive. Which guarantees nothing, but would be a great start to the true offseason
 
We need to do something along the lines of what the patriots did last year, these were their major signings.

Key 2025 Free Agent Signings (Unrestricted & Veteran)
  • DT Milton Williams: 4 years, $104 million.
  • CB Carlton Davis III: 3 years, $54 million.
  • LB Harold Landry III: 3 years, $43.5 million.
  • LB Robert Spillane: 3 years, $33 million.
Their defense went from 22nd to 8th and carried them to the superbowl and this year they're still tenth in the league in available cap space.

we have extremely limited time to spend this money and still be able to discard our mistakes in order to be able to sign our franchise quarterback.

The patriots are on the exact same clock as us and they recognized this last year.

we need to spend wisely but largely to fix this damn roster and 3 or so years from now when jaydens massive contract starts to have prohibitive cap numbers we can cut the guys who didn't pan out.

Get it done harris and peters, new stadiums are great and all but the product on the field is far more important, you want to earn that A plus grade from the fans go get us a roster we can have confidence in.
 
Conn said:
Good info, didn’t know that

Kind of crazy a kicker is playing hard ball when they’re trying to make him the richest K in history, then. Take your guaranteed money before you hit a cold streak, fella
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I'm viewing this as a win-win (I hope)

OPTION 1: Jerry pays out the ass for a kicker..... LOVE IT

OPTION 2: They let him walk over $$$.... also LOVE IT
 
skinsinparadise said:
Keim

But, one team source said, while they won't spend recklessly, if there's a player they want who commands top-of-the-market money and is considered a good fit, they will spend. After all, this is a pivotal year for the franchise after going 5-12 following a 12-5 season and trip to the NFC Championship Game.

...And the Commanders have multiple needs: They're expected to be aggressive pursuing players at edge rusher, receiver anThis
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This can go in so many directions. The picture becomes clearer on 3/9 at Noon. :)
 
skinsinparadise said:
In the first two offseasons under Peters, Washington signed 50 players in free agency, including 18 who re-signed with the franchise. Last offseason they signed 24 players -- including 14 who re-signed -- and 26 players in 2024, with 22 new to the franchise.

They have just five players from their first free agent class signed for this season and four from last season. That doesn't mean a handful won't return, but it does suggest Washington needs -- and wants -- to add more players on multi-year deals to prevent big roster turnover each season.

As one team source said, the first offseason was about trying to add players who could lay the foundation for the culture they wanted. So they signed veteran players such as linebacker Bobby Wagner, tight end Zach Ertz and running back Austin Ekeler. There's a chance none of them are on the roster in 2026.

Last season, they re-signed a number of veterans; only two newcomers received multi-year deals via free agency: safety Will Harris and defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw. They wanted to run it back with their own vets while adding some more, considering it helped them the previous season. The Commanders did not saddle themselves with bad contracts, but they also left themselves needing to fill multiple holes once again this offseason.

www.espn.com

Expect Commanders to go big in free agency this offseason

Washington is expected to be aggressive pursuing players at edge rusher, receiver and corner in particular.
www.espn.com www.espn.com
Click to expand...

That’s a good article by Keim. Love this quote by Quinn, "There's going to be difference-makers that will be part of this class," Commanders coach Dan Quinn said. That alone tells you it would be different.

Also, mentioned Jennings, Doubs, Shaheed AND Pearce. And Okonkwo again. As you frequently say, Keim usually does not pull these names out of nowhere or throw crap against the wall. Sounds like they could still be in on Pierce. I’m not sure, but I may prefer Shaheed. Will be cheaper. Still has great deep speed. Is a kick returner. Is also more of a 65 catch guy instead of a 45 catch guy like Pierce. We need a deep threat, but also need a consistent down to down outside receiver that isn’t just a deep threat. I bet we could get Okonkwo AND Shaheed for the price of Pierce.
 


Might take a prime WR destination off the board.
 
heisenberg said:
We need to do something along the lines of what the patriots did last year, these were their major signings.

Key 2025 Free Agent Signings (Unrestricted & Veteran)
  • DT Milton Williams: 4 years, $104 million.
  • CB Carlton Davis III: 3 years, $54 million.
  • LB Harold Landry III: 3 years, $43.5 million.
  • LB Robert Spillane: 3 years, $33 million.
Their defense went from 22nd to 8th and carried them to the superbowl and this year they're still tenth in the league in available cap space.

we have extremely limited time to spend this money and still be able to discard our mistakes in order to be able to sign our franchise quarterback.

The patriots are on the exact same clock as us and they recognized this last year.

we need to spend wisely but largely to fix this damn roster and 3 or so years from now when jaydens massive contract starts to have prohibitive cap numbers we can cut the guys who didn't pan out.

Get it done harris and peters, new stadiums are great and all but the product on the field is far more important, you want to earn that A plus grade from the fans go get us a roster we can have confidence in.
Click to expand...
this...
patriots did in one year what Peters has failed at over 2 years. If he fails again this year.. I am done with him. Most of the Pats FAs on D at worst, turned in to high level contributors. We just keep cycling through old slow has beens.
 
Conn said:
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This is how I've always felt. Some people say that they think that we will still be cheap. My response is what makes you think that DQ and even AP feel so secure in their jobs? If we win 5 games ah3, DQ is definitely gone and AP will be on the brink. Combine that with Jayden's final year of his rookie deal, we have to be aggressive and go for it.
 
Riggo44 said:


Might take a prime WR destination off the board.
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Early reports a mid round pick, a 3rd for Moore seems like robbery to me, unless this is cost cutting due to his contract
 
Discobob said:
True, but Buffalo might be desperate enough to do something dumb
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Yep. Bills traded a 2nd for DJM and a 5th

It’s a weak class but I don’t think anyone expected the Bears to get that sort of return. Pretty impressive

Helps that DJM had his best years under Joe Brady in CAR in ‘20-‘21
 
these are trades for draft picks. Washington already went that route and got a washout on Lattimore, a decent but temporary fix in Deebo Samuel and a core player in Tunsil who at 31 is going to very difficult to resign.

Note to Adam Peters: To get Tunsil signed before the summer camp and preseason just take the highest paid tackle salary in the NFL and add 15%.

Otherwise it's going to be a back and forth and back and forth for months until someone blinks.

Since this may be Tunsil's last big contract in the NFL he isn't likely to be the one doing the blinking.
 
Conn said:
Yep. Bills traded a 2nd for DJM and a 5th

It’s a weak class but I don’t think anyone expected the Bears to get that sort of return. Pretty impressive

Helps that DJM had his best years under Joe Brady in CAR in ‘20-‘21
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That GM just keeps making dumb moves and somehow keeps his job... owner is a moron
 
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