The 2026 Free Agency Thread

[CapsCommies]

It is almost coming across like AP is intentionally bidding just enough to lose out and keep saying that we were close when he didn't really want to pay for a lot of these guys

My $0.02 is that AP is philosophically all about staying disciplined and not exceeding your internal willingness to pay valuations. That's fine at a destination franchise like San Fran and New England where he cut his teeth. But he is in Washington and we don't have that kind of juice. Not yet. 2024 is long in the rear view... we still need to overspend to get guys. Not Snyder-level but we can't be Warren Buffett, either. We have to OVERSPEND

 

[Chris]

‘It’s always darkest before the dawn.’

Well, Adam, it’s pretty fuckin’ dark right now. Chop chop.

 

[BayouBrave86]

Somebody get on the horn with Blondie and see if Rock Cartright can still play

We’re getting the band back together! I’m hearing Taylor Jacobs has been LIGHTS out in the voluntary practices they’ve been holding out in Ashburn. This is the year!

 

[skinsinparadise]

Why does it have to be Maye over Jayden and not a team in the SB vs a 5-12 team? Also a #1 role vs 2nd to Terry and maybe 3rd compared to who else we get?

It's a perception game. We don't know. But the Maye over Jayden is a common national narrative. Quinn being a lame duck coach is a popular narrative.

This team in one off season has gone from being one of the cool kids, to being an uncool nerd. For the national media making a big deal about Doubs choosing NE with the money likely equal -- must be jarring to this FO but a good wake up call in a series of wake up calls.

 

[DWinzit]

Isn't this around the time yesterday they began releasing signing announcements?

 

[Discobob]

Isn't this around the time yesterday they began releasing signing announcements?

We can all hope they've got some deals ready and are just sitting on the announcement... I don't know why they'd do that, but 🤞

 

[36ST21]

The way free agency is going is about what I expected. AP seems to have a sweet spot when he makes an offer and either he doesn't like bidding wars or just doesn't think the juice is worth the squeeze on these tier 1 free agents we are losing out on.

I know we were supposed to be aggressive in free agency but what does that actually mean, aggressive just means you're going to sign a lot of players but it doesn't tell you what kind. I don't think we like overpaying for tier 1 free agents, seems to be a thing with this FO.

My biggest worry is that ownership has AP on a strict budget. To me, that is much worse than the other alternative (AP is a poor negotiator/just bad at his job).

 

[skinsinparadise]

He's right but IMO what Peters didn't do in 2025 to build a winner is part of the reason why this isn't a sexy destination spot. He had it in 2024 but squandered it IMO,

 

[skinsinparadise]

My biggest worry is that ownership has AP on a strict budget. To me, that is much worse than the other alternative (AP is a poor negotiator/just bad at his job).

Doesn't feel that way to me -- they offered big money to 4 different players landed a 5th with a 100 million contract and just signed Tunsil at 30 million.

Feels to me like their complacency in 2025 (and maybe Harris was a part of that) which help lead to a disaster season has seeped into the perception of 2026.

 

[DWinzit]

He's right but IMO what Peters didn't do in 2025 to build a winner is part of the reason why this isn't a sexy destination spot. He had it in 2024 but squandered it IMO,

True, DQ deserves some of that blame as well. If they don't pull a couple more player signings it's going to be like death valley

 

[Discobob]

He's right but IMO what Peters didn't do in 2025 to build a winner is part of the reason why this isn't a sexy destination spot. He had it in 2024 but squandered it IMO,

Ok, every free agent gets a "Fred Smoot Lake Minnetonka 'scenic' cruise"

 

[BayouBrave86]

He's right but IMO what Peters didn't do in 2025 to build a winner is part of the reason why this isn't a sexy destination spot. He had it in 2024 but squandered it IMO,

Well what are we? 3/12 right now in signing targets? 😂 maybe he’s just a terrible closer and it’s on Peters to build a roster and coaching staff that players want to come play with and for..so uh yeah, it is on Peters.

 

[skinsinparadise]

True, DQ deserves some of that blame as well. If they don't pull a couple more player signings it's going to be like death valley

Absolutely IMO -- Peters-Quinn (maybe Harris I don't know) overconfidence-complacency in 2025 -- where IMO they acted like the poster child regime for a sopohmore slump are dealing with that fall out.

 

[Conn]

Sounds like the money was similar. Maye the belle of the ball now like Jayden was last year. Vrabel also the belle of the ball like Quinn was last year.

The difference being our FO thought their shit didn’t stink last year and didn’t capitalize on the perception of Jayden and the franchise after an NFCCG appearance. They did almost nothing last offseason when vibes were great

 

[BayouBrave86]

And yeah if it’s actually Harris holding Peters back, then that is more terrifying than Peters being terrible at his job.

 

[moondog]

Reporters: Don't worry guys, pay attention, big news gonna be coming out today.

The Big News: Washington was once again outbid on a player they wanted. Don't worry, they're still being aggressive while being outbid elsewhere despite having the most available remaining cap space.

 

[36ST21]

Add in the fact NE has a far better defense, a rising QB and is in a cupcake division and you get players choosing them over us. I cant fault them.

Plus, all FAs who sign with NE get a free unlimited membership to the "Golden Hands Asian Spa" for the duration of their contract...

 

[Bulldog]

Jayden Daniels came in and had a rookie season that was truly exceptional in terms of poise and his ability in the fourth quarter.

I think we were all mesmerized by that and that goes for the FO to a degree as well in terms of his ability to influence and win games - he made players like McLaurin and Ertz look better than they were.

 

[CapsCommies]

Broken record here but AP strikes me as someone who wants to "win the contract" more than he wants to get his guy.

Probably looked at the Linderbaum deal and thought wow LV got fleeced. Well guess what, they HAVE THE PLAYER. Mendoza going to walk into a better situation than Jayden has in year 3 I'm sick

 

[Conn]

As you well know there are two major schools of thought on the draft, bpa or draft for need.

What your describing is drafting for need but you've overlooked the fact that we have gaping holes almost everywhere.

We can draft bpa and for need at the same time.

You’re not wrong in a vacuum but if we go into the season with only Terry as a real weapon for Daniels, then there’s a very real chance he doesn’t actually become your franchise QB. So what’s the opportunity cost of going true BPA and continuing to send him into a gun fight with one knife.