The 2026 Free Agency Thread

[skinsinparadise]

I personally would much rather we shoot for 2 top tier guys than go 'mid' and try to upgrade every position group. Our approach last season set us back a season or two. I think it's better to unequivicoally set ourselves at a couple of positions knowing that it may be next year before we can do that at all of our areas of need.

I agree. Though it has nothing to do with my point -- my point was a want a top guy at Edge, CB, Wr. Maybe even RB if its Walker.

I didn't say mid. But the higher end of the market.

If they do that AND get Linderbaum. Cool. they would be the first team in NFL history I believe to sign 4 guys in the 20 million range in one off season -- let alone do it with also likely signing a few in the 10 million range. It would beat the height of the Snyder FA years.

And it would be a wild departure, from going to a sting FO operation to a record settiing one. If that's their master plan, I am all in. But if going market setting for arguably the least premium position in the NFL at the expense of a premium position -- that would be nauseating to me.

So like I said yesterday if its Linderbaum to me its all about what else they do. In a vacuum I won't be celebrating a signing like that. But I would if they cover premium positions.

 

[KDawg]

A lot hinges on the center issue.

Did they feel Allegretti is just as good as Biadasz and they may as well save $8M? Maybe. If that’s the case, and they’re right, then I don’t expect much there.

If they let him go to try to get a better guy, this play means they need to get a better guy, or an on par guy, for a lesser cost. Which we probably could have held on to Tyler in the meantime.

Either way, I am extremely interested to see how that plays out and how involved we are with bigger names and just who were involved with.

We need a few home runs, but seeing who we actually go after can inform us on a lot that we’ve been trying to piece together.

 

[clskinsfan]

The one thing I will say about investing in Linderbaum is it would give us one of the best OL's in the league. Straight across the board. Add Walker, Allgeir or Love in the draft, one starting level weapon at WR and you have a potent offense. Plus Linderbaum being only 25 would allow him and JD to grow together for the next few years. I am fine with investing in the OL when it comes to protecting an injury prone franchise QB. Which JD is.

 

[Boone]

Yeah, sorry SiP, I wasn't really intending that to be directed to you. Linderbaum would make me feel better about the bizarre way they let Biadisz go. Although I would hate to spend cap we desperately need to use elsewhere to fill a vacancy we willingly (and imho unnecessarily) created, he appears to be a far superior player who could anchor the OL for years.

 

[clskinsfan]

Either way, I am extremely interested to see how that plays out and how involved we are with bigger names and just who were involved with.

The way they cut Tyler leads me to believe they already have someone lined up there. We all know tampering happens constantly.

 

[RexTomb]

Against all odds?

 

[KDawg]

The way they cut Tyler leads me to believe they already have someone lined up there. We all know tampering happens constantly.

I agree that would be the logical conclusion - but whether we do or not remains to be seen.

Remember, the something already there may have been extended a few days after in Allegretti. They may believe he is on par with Biadasz and they can save some cap.

 

[RexTomb]

The way they cut Tyler leads me to believe they already have someone lined up there. We all know tampering happens constantly.

Yes, this. I've felt that ever since the initial reporting. And I don't think it's Allegretti - I think that's a smoke screen.

 

[COWBOY-KILLA]

Tyler Linderbaum, Baltimore Ravens (80.3)​

Ranked as a top 5 center in the league and is 25 yrs old.​

Interesting about his ranking for Run blocking. Would not shock me if he is on our list given what we did with Biadisz.

Linderbaum, the No. 3 player on the PFF Free Agent Rankings, continued to show that he is one of the NFL's best run-blocking centers in 2025. He posted an 83.7 PFF run-blocking grade (fourth) while excelling in zone schemes (84.1 zone PFF run-blocking grade, fourth). However, pass blocking continues to be an Achilles heel for Linderbaum, who surrendered a career-high 26 pressures (ninth most) at a rate of 5.2% (also a career high).

Should he leave Baltimore, the 25-year-old three-time Pro Bowler would be in high demand. He immediately helps in the run game (91.2 career PFF run-blocking grade, third), and, despite his inconsistency in pass protection (66.3), ranks as a top-15 pass blocker for his career among centers. Linderbaum is the fourth-highest-graded center in the league (87.0) since 2022 and has raised his PFF overall grade in every season.


I would follow that signing up with

WR Jennings or Doubs
DE Oweh
LB LLoyd or Walker
TE Okonkwo or Likely
CB Dean or Watson or Taylor

draft Love/Tate/Downs

Resign: Tunsil, restructure Payne.


is this possible? What do you think?
If it is in anyway, sign me up now.

 

[HTTR]

I could happily live with a lesser tier guy at either WR or CB if it means Linderbaum. Or skip over RB in FA. Needs everywhere, but what we need the most is blue chip talent, regardless of position. And it would give us possibly the best line in the league as many have already mentioned. Hopefully it’s in the works!

 

[RexTomb]

I like your list - I'm hoping it's Okonkwo. Dude was a beast in Tennessee, even with crappy QB and offensive play calling. I'm pretty sure we would be spending a large chunk of our cap on these signings though. But, if we 're in a win-now mentality and trying to fix the charlie-foxtrot that was last season, then that's what you do.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Yeah, sorry SiP, I wasn't really intending that to be directed to you. Linderbaum would make me feel better about the bizarre way they let Biadisz go. Although I would hate to spend cap we desperately need to use elsewhere to fill a vacancy we willingly (and imho unnecessarily) created, he appears to be a far superior player who could anchor the OL for years.

He's a great player. Logan Paulsen among others like to say, center is the easiest player to hide because they block often with the guard whether in run blocker or pass protection. They of course can't take over a game. I believe its the spot where players get paid the least and fall furthest in the draft.

But Linderbaum is special so I wouldn't hate it if they signed him. But I would hate it if that expenses leaves a glaring hole at a key spot.

If they sign him AND a good CB, edge and a WR and RB and TE, I'd be giddy. But I wonder how the math would work if so.

 

[HTTR]

Tyler Linderbaum, Baltimore Ravens (80.3)​

Ranked as a top 5 center in the league and is 25 yrs old.​

Interesting about his ranking for Run blocking. Would not shock me if he is on our list given what we did with Biadisz.

Linderbaum, the No. 3 player on the PFF Free Agent Rankings, continued to show that he is one of the NFL's best run-blocking centers in 2025. He posted an 83.7 PFF run-blocking grade (fourth) while excelling in zone schemes (84.1 zone PFF run-blocking grade, fourth). However, pass blocking continues to be an Achilles heel for Linderbaum, who surrendered a career-high 26 pressures (ninth most) at a rate of 5.2% (also a career high).

Should he leave Baltimore, the 25-year-old three-time Pro Bowler would be in high demand. He immediately helps in the run game (91.2 career PFF run-blocking grade, third), and, despite his inconsistency in pass protection (66.3), ranks as a top-15 pass blocker for his career among centers. Linderbaum is the fourth-highest-graded center in the league (87.0) since 2022 and has raised his PFF overall grade in every season.


I would follow that signing up with

WR Jennings or Doubs
DE Oweh
LB LLoyd or Walker
TE Okonkwo or Likely
CB Dean or Watson or Taylor

draft Love/Tate/Downs

Resign: Tunsil, restructure Payne.


is this possible? What do you think?
If it is in anyway, sign me up now.

Would certainly be nice. But you’ll probably have to scale back your expectations at at least one of those positions.

 

[KDawg]

Yes, this. I've felt that ever since the initial reporting. And I don't think it's Allegretti - I think that's a smoke screen.

I don’t know what I think. I’m starting to think it’s possible that they were fine with Biadasz but see Allegretti as a cheaper and equal as far as play goes, so they decided to save some cap cash.

If they’re right… I’m fine with it. I haven’t studied the difference in them much yet - but this will need to play out.

I don’t think releasing Biadasz to sign someone for more cash is necessarily a great move. But if we get the best of the best… why not?

 

[skinsinparadise]

I could happily live with a lesser tier guy at either WR or CB if it means Linderbaum. Or skip over RB in FA. Needs everywhere, but what we need the most is blue chip talent, regardless of position. And it would give us possibly the best line in the league as many have already mentioned. Hopefully it’s in the works!

I have been making the point blue chip for years so lol I agree in concept 100%. But center lol tests this idea in a big way -- its like doing a higher end Thanksgiving dinner and saying we are going to use the most high end baked potatoes in the country. I like a potatoe as much as anyone but it does feel a little weird to go blue chip at center of all spots.

 

[HTTR]

I have been making the point blue chip for years so lol I agree in concept 100%. But center lol tests this idea in a big way -- it’s like doing a higher end Thanksgiving dinner and saying we are going to use the most high end baked potatoes in the country. I like a potatoe as much as anyone but it does feel a little weird to go blue chip at center of all spots.

Haha well, that’s just me man… The turkey is boring, so I love it when there are interesting delicious side dishes on the table!

 

[Boone]

I haven't heard much talk about this part of it - but maybe it was the mental part of the position that Biadasz wasn't checking the boxes on. Centers typically have a big role in adjusting protection schemes, identifying potential blitzers, communicating slide protections, etc... I don't know how as fans we could know whether a guy is really good at that, or struggles... maybe it was less physical ability and more sucking at being a field general that got Biadasz sent packing...

 

[Dlts20]

This is live. Said that he will learn more the next few days, depending on who we sign, but would love to compete for the Center job. Said that he wants that leadership role.

 

[HTTR]

They’ve probably spoken to Linderbaum‘s agent and know they have a chance. But also realize they have Alligretti on hand as a reasonable fallback plan. So they were comfortable doing Biadasz a solid and letting him go early.

 

[SkinsNumberOne]

I don’t know what I think. I’m starting to think it’s possible that they were fine with Biadasz but see Allegretti as a cheaper and equal as far as play goes, so they decided to save some cap cash.

If they’re right… I’m fine with it. I haven’t studied the difference in them much yet - but this will need to play out.

I don’t think releasing Biadasz to sign someone for more cash is necessarily a great move. But if we get the best of the best… why not?

I think that if they are looking at a spreadsheet of options, emotionlessly, with different values and calculations, and looking at different scenarios/options:
- I could see that in a different scheme, Biadasz goes from being ok/good, to being not so good/ok, and the scenarios with that money work out better than the scenarios with him and not having that money.

If that plays out, the only tell will be where we end up when the music stops in terms of our unspent money.

If the other scenario plays out, we will end up with "a better center."

I can't really buy Allegretti and no Biadasz AND unspent money as an improvement. I mean, I guess I find that incredibly hard to believe, especially with McDaniel getting him for his offense in SD.