The 2026 Free Agency Thread

[Bulldog]

Buffalo has never given Josh Allen the kind of support on offense that other teams with franchise quarterbacks have done.

Last year the best they could do was cycle a 32 year old Stefon Diggs, who had been through 2 or 3 organizations over the past several years.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

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

There just isn't a ton to get excited about as far as top-end talent is concerned in either the draft or FA. There are some depth options, but just not a lot out there.

One thing, and the Chiefs have run into this, for the teams who are consistently good and make the playoffs, it's much harder to stock elite talent at premium positions, especially now given how "meh" a lot of the FA classes are. You'll get some guys who are really good at premium positions who hit FA, but not a lot. And because there aren't a lot, there is competition, and you end up paying more for them than would be ideal.

The Bills are in that spot, the Chiefs are, the shining example are the Steelers, who never had a losing season, but never really won anything of note either, but were always picking in the high teens and 20's.

So the Bills are panicking a little bit, it seems. But I'm not sure what option they have.

 

[Conn]

There just isn't a ton to get excited about as far as top-end talent is concerned in either the draft or FA. There are some depth options, but just not a lot out there.

One thing, and the Chiefs have run into this, for the teams who are consistently good and make the playoffs, it's much harder to stock elite talent at premium positions, especially now given how "meh" a lot of the FA classes are. You'll get some guys who are really good at premium positions who hit FA, but not a lot. And because there aren't a lot, there is competition, and you end up paying more for them than would be ideal.

The Bills are in that spot, the Chiefs are, the shining example are the Steelers, who never had a losing season, but never really won anything of note either, but were always picking in the high teens and 20's.

So the Bills are panicking a little bit, it seems. But I'm not sure what option they have.

The Rams are the blueprint imo.

Even if you ignore the traded 1sts, that’s not what I’m referring to. That’s just something enabled by what I’ll say next

They hit on draft picks. Period. All throughout the draft, they make a lot of picks and they hit on enough of them in a big way.

That unlocks everything else, when you already have the franchise QB. Especially if LT or premier defensive player is also already in-house.

That describes us. We just need to draft a lot, and hit at a high enough rate to build a good roster. FA and trades can supplement it but you’ve gotta draft well.

Spotlight is on AP either way.

 

[Dlts20]

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.

I wonder if Tunsil representing himself is helping or hurting the situation

 

[Higskin]

I wonder if the Bills had the Bears buy down DJ Moore's contract with a higher draft pick?

The Bills are currently over the salary cap.

 

[Conn]

I wonder if the Bills had the Bears buy down DJ Moore's contract with a higher draft pick?

The Bills are currently over the salary cap.

From what I saw they took on the entire contract and the Bears saved ~$16M+ on their cap this year

Trade can’t be final until the new league year tolls though so the Bills have time to shuffle around their cap

 

[clskinsfan]

There just isn't a ton to get excited about as far as top-end talent is concerned in either the draft or FA. There are some depth options, but just not a lot out there.

I agree about the draft. Not so much about FA. This is a pretty strong FA class this year imo.

 

[skinsfan4128]

I wonder if Tunsil representing himself is helping or hurting the situation

Hard to say, but im sure its a factor. I've wondered how AP is going to handle this situation particularly given Tunsil may want to wait out Silverback's contract negotiations in SF (which admittedly could take a while).

This brought me to wonder if AP could consider trading Tunsil for draft capital (considering we're lean in that department) and re-install Colrman at LT. There's pros and cons to each scenario for sure, but it could be an option if AP doesn't desire another protracted issue of the likes of Terry last off-season.

HTTR!

 

[RWJ]

Hard to say, but im sure its a factor. I've wondered how AP is going to handle this situation particularly given Tunsil may want to wait out Silverback's contract negotiations in SF (which admittedly could take a while).

This brought me to wonder if AP could consider trading Tunsil for draft capital (considering we're lean in that department) and re-install Colrman at LT. There's pros and cons to each scenario for sure, but it could be an option if AP doesn't desire another protracted issue of the likes of Terry last off-season.

HTTR!

With what AP gave up for Tunsil and talent at a much-needed position, I'd think not.

 

[skinsinparadise]

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.

Yeah every name drop I take seriously. Too many mentions especially of Okonkwo, Likely and Jennings especially that i think they will definitely be targets.

Feels like they have multiple targets at WR

A. Alex Pierce if he can be had in the 20-25 million range. Fat chance that happens so am counting him out
B. Shaheed
C. Jennings
D. Doubs

Seems like Aiyuk is an additional guy, and that one seems slam dunk as long as I gather his knee checks out

And whichever they can get at a price they feel is good, that's who they sign.

TE clearly Okonkwo and Likely. Seems for those two there is a limit as what they are willing to spend so if the bidding gets out of hand they are out. I would guess they must have another backup idea at TE but if so Keim hasn't heard who.

RB tough to tell -- Keim did throw Etienne out there in a podcast with Standig. But its not something I've heard more than once. lol, that's usually my thing as to decoding Keim -- multiple mentions matter

CB -- no names for the most part that I can recall in podcasts but in his article he mentions Alontae Taylor, Watson, Dean

Edge -- not a lot of repeated mentions of a specific player. Maybe Mafe the most mentions. But I am guessing they approach it like Wr, multiple targets and whomever can be had at the best price -- Mafe, Phillips, Oweh. Standig mention he knows they have interest in: Ebiketie

Keim not off to a bad start -- minor things but he didd say on podcasts he expects Wise, and D. Jackson back.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

The Rams are the blueprint imo.

Even if you ignore the traded 1sts, that’s not what I’m referring to. That’s just something enabled by what I’ll say next

They hit on draft picks. Period. All throughout the draft, they make a lot of picks and they hit on enough of them in a big way.

That unlocks everything else, when you already have the franchise QB. Especially if LT or premier defensive player is also already in-house.

That describes us. We just need to draft a lot, and hit at a high enough rate to build a good roster. FA and trades can supplement it but you’ve gotta draft well.

Spotlight is on AP either way.

I completely agree. They key is hitting on draft picks.

The biggest issue is we have to go to FA to get TE, WR, potentially CB.

We have drafted:
TE: Sinnott
WR: McCaffery
WR: Lane
CB: Sainristil

Amos looked good as a rookie. So did Sainristil, but he had a bad second year.

Throw Newton in there, who was supposed to replace Allen but really hasn't.

The one position Peters hasn't really taken any swings at is edge. Whether in FA or draft, we haven't really done anything of note at that position. I think that's about to chagne.

We haven't hit on the picks. That's why we have to go to FA.

The other thing which hitting on the picks does is you can trade guys for more picks. And then maybe trade those picks for top-end players.

But you've got to hit on the picks.

I still haven't given up entirely on the 2024 draft class. But this is a really big year for them. They need 2 of those 2nd/3rd round guys to become solid, well above replacement level starters. If Coleman steps in and starts well at Guard and Sainristil steps in and plays at CB, and both play well, and you get a QB and 2 proven starters out of that draft, that's what you should expect with the number of picks we had in the top 100 + the #2 overall pick.

We'll see. Big year for this draft class.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

With what AP gave up for Tunsil and talent at a much-needed position, I'd think not.

You don't trade a top 5, maybe top 3 LT you have under control. It's totally bananas that the Texans traded Tunsil to begin with.

They're going to pay him. Tunsil might want to wait out William's contract, but he is older, not in his prime. They should pay Tunsil more than Williams. I think they will.

I guess I'm nowhere hear as worked up over this one as I was about McLaurin. I thought McLaurin was going to be tough from the get go. This should be relatively easy. You have a top 3 guy, you pay them a top 3 contract. Done.

 

[RWJ]

You don't trade a top 5, maybe top 3 LT you have under control. It's totally bananas that the Texans traded Tunsil to begin with.

They're going to pay him. Tunsil might want to wait out William's contract, but he is older, not in his prime. They should pay Tunsil more than Williams. I think they will.

I guess I'm nowhere hear as worked up over this one as I was about McLaurin. I thought McLaurin was going to be tough from the get go. This should be relatively easy. You have a top 3 guy, you pay them a top 3 contract. Done.

We agree. I agree. Absolutely.

 

[Primus Porcus]

I agree about the draft. Not so much about FA. This is a pretty strong FA class this year imo.

Strong? Maybe.

Top end? I don't see it. The marquee free agent is a no. 2 at best, WR who I personally don't think is even top 30 in the league.

Defensively you could argue Hendrickson, but he's on the wrong side of 30 and is coming off an injury that for the longest time has been viewed as a major red flag.

 

[RWJ]

Maybe something; maybe nothing...

 

[heisenberg]

What does that even mean, grim scenario?

Sounds like total clickbait.

 

[philibusters]

grim scenario is they release him after this season

 

[Primus Porcus]

What does that even mean, grim scenario?

Sounds like total clickbait.

I've had to mute that guy on facebook because of some of his practices.

He has had information at times, but a lot of it feels like that stuff to me.

 

[heisenberg]

grim scenario is they release him after this season

That's not a grim scenario thats life in the nfl.

A grim scenario is a brutal career ending injury or a legal problem so bad that the team has to cut ties immediately etc.

 

[clskinsfan]

grim scenario is they release him after this season

If he doesnt ball out this season I would expect him to be released. North of 30 WR's get cut all of the time.