The 2026 Free Agency Thread

[skinsinparadise]

I'd aim for something like

Jennings - 63/3, bases at like 18M (so he can say he beat Doubs on base) with incentives to 21M/year, and like 42-45M guaranteed.

Aiyuk - 9/1 - prove it

Chig - 56/4, maybe 36-42 guaranteed.

White - 13/2, 7 guaranteed.

Assuming a little bit of backloading (but not too much) you'd end up with something capwise like
Jennings - 17-21-25
Aiyik - 9
Chig - 10-13-16-17
White - 6-8

So 42M against the cap for those 4. Can always backload a bit more if you want, or add void years.

Or just don't sign Aiyuk and his exploded knee.

Yeah I don't know what's going on with Jennings, I am guessing he's holding out for more money. Wonder if Aiyuk hitting the market spurs him taking a deal?

 

[Bulldog]

Well, based on the fact he was a productive 49ers player there is no one offering more right now than Adam Peters

We will see if it is enough.

 

[Dah-Dee]

I could actually see us trying for Thomas and AP likes the creative trade route, we get Thomas and one of their many 2026 mid rounders, they get multiple future picks.

This Brian Thomas thing is extremely entertaining but that's all.

Latest On Jaguars WR Brian Thomas Jr. Trade Talks

Reports emerged earlier this week that the Jaguars are willing to listen to trade offers for WR Brian Thomas Jr. However, John Shipley of Sports Illustrated reports that Jacksonville doesn't appear to be shopping Thomas "by

nfltraderumors.co

 

[Bulldog]

This Brian Thomas thing is extremely entertaining but that's all.

Latest On Jaguars WR Brian Thomas Jr. Trade Talks

Reports emerged earlier this week that the Jaguars are willing to listen to trade offers for WR Brian Thomas Jr. However, John Shipley of Sports Illustrated reports that Jacksonville doesn't appear to be shopping Thomas "by

nfltraderumors.co

What a shame. Jacksonville has let so many good players go why not one more?

 

[skinsinparadise]

I could actually see us trying for Thomas and AP likes the creative trade route, we get Thomas and one of their many 2026 mid rounders, they get multiple future picks.

It would be wild to have Thomas and Aiyuk. Heck add Rachaad White. And Jayden would be back in school

 

[Anselmheifer]

I'd aim for something like

Jennings - 63/3, bases at like 18M (so he can say he beat Doubs on base) with incentives to 21M/year, and like 42-45M guaranteed.

Aiyuk - 9/1 - prove it

Chig - 56/4, maybe 36-42 guaranteed.

White - 13/2, 7 guaranteed.

Assuming a little bit of backloading (but not too much) you'd end up with something capwise like
Jennings - 17-21-25
Aiyik - 9
Chig - 10-13-16-17
White - 6-8

So 42M against the cap for those 4. Can always backload a bit more if you want, or add void years.

Or just don't sign Aiyuk and his exploded knee.

I was hoping for exactly this. The names, not the details on every salary. This would be a radically improved team. Heck. Backload them a little bit I just googled and the top source, which was AI, said we are $252.6 million under the cap next year. We have no reason not to be super aggressive.

 

[Skinfanjon]

He went to the U. What else do you need?

Njoku is a gamer - cost will likely be lower than Chig, is a veteran presence, and has played in much worse situations. He can block a little and can be an excellent safety blanket.

He’s not going to wow us downfield. He’s an outlet. But he’s an upgrade.

I’d be fine with Chig, too. Chig is probably a better player. But I’ve liked Joker since he played at the U. So… a little bias.

Ohhh you’re a Miami fan…that explains the Bain stuff. Hadn’t picked up on it.

 

[KDawg]

Ohhh you’re a Miami fan…that explains the Bain stuff. Hadn’t picked up on it.

I’ve admitted to some bias. But I’ve dogged some Miami guys before, too. I’ve watched Bain week in and week out. I think he is going to be a damned good edge.

I get people worried about the arm length. But anyone who thinks the guy can’t play simply hasn’t watched him.

 

[ES1974]

Not that excited over the Aiyuk link, feels like old news and a move about 2 years too late. Njoku likewise.

That’s said re Aiyuk, a prove it deal on decent terms. Low risk, so fair enough.

 

[method man]

I want Chig but we must acknowledge he doesn’t have the size to play the Y. He is a F TE you might be able to give some FB and H Back snaps too if we use those roles.

I’d understand if they go Njoku if they value Y and F versatility. If they did do that, I’d want to go Goedert

 

[Discobob]

I want Chig but we must acknowledge he doesn’t have the size to play the Y. He is a F TE you might be able to give some FB and H Back snaps too if we use those roles.

I’d understand if they go Njoku if they value Y and F versatility. If they did do that, I’d want to go Goedert

100%

I want him, but lets not pretend he's an inline option... he's a receiving option that is a mismatch when blocking a DB

 

[Skinfanjon]

I’ve admitted to some bias. But I’ve dogged some Miami guys before, too. I’ve watched Bain week in and week out. I think he is going to be a damned good edge.

I get people worried about the arm length. But anyone who thinks the guy can’t play simply hasn’t watched him.

Oh I think he can play, has the skill and makeup, just that his physical limitations render him jaggy in the next level. But I digress. Seems we’re out of that business at 7 anyway.

 

[RWJ]

We only signed Chaisson for 1 year. EDGE has to still be high on the board. If we'd have signed him to a 3 year deal, I'd think differently.

 

[heisenberg]

An interesting side note to signing Goedert would be that the eagles would immediately lose 20.5 million in cap space this year but if they're able to resign him they can kick that can down the road again.

 

[skinsinparadise]

As a Brian Hartline trained receiver, I have no doubts he is a Day 1 starter. The ceiling does scare me because we haven't seen it so far.

That being said, if he ends up being a Doubs caliber player, I believe we'd be getting $8M excess value. If he ends up being Pierce caliber as a very low end WR1/high end WR2, that is $20M+ excess value. If Love is Saquon or CMC, that is $11M or so excess value. If he ends up K9, that is $6M excess value.

I think he's a good get at 7. Not my top want at that spot but coming from one of the only people at ES who liked Pierce before that draft and for that matter Terry -- I think he's a cross between Pierce (not as fast but stronger at catch point) and Devonte Smith.

 

[Due East]

I’ve admitted to some bias. But I’ve dogged some Miami guys before, too. I’ve watched Bain week in and week out. I think he is going to be a damned good edge.

I get people worried about the arm length. But anyone who thinks the guy can’t play simply hasn’t watched him.

I too am a Miami fan and he has always looked really good but he absolutely has not looked the way he did the second half of this past season into the playoff run his entire time at Miami. Recency bias has his stock sky high and he peaked at the right time. I'm still skeptical of how his game translates he won being a little man among boys in college. Will be fun to watch how it translates to the nfl with longer stronger tackles.

 

[RWJ]

Once released, if we sign Aiyuk, I'd like to see a 2 year deal vs a 1 year deal.

 

[Anselmheifer]

He went to the U. What else do you need?

Njoku is a gamer - cost will likely be lower than Chig, is a veteran presence, and has played in much worse situations. He can block a little and can be an excellent safety blanket.

He’s not going to wow us downfield. He’s an outlet. But he’s an upgrade.

I’d be fine with Chig, too. Chig is probably a better player. But I’ve liked Joker since he played at the U. So… a little bias.

I wanted Njoku coming out and every time they have suggested he might be available in FA or via trade. I just am very excited about the kind of receiving weapon Okonkwo would be.

Regarding Miami, I think relatively frequently about that crazy 2001 depth chart

https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/miami-fl/2001-roster.html

On an unrelated note, Louis Tee was suggesting Tutu Atwell as a signing to add speed. Down year last year, but I wouldn’t hate it and it seems like an Adam Peters caliber signing. Meaning, bargain price to play a specific role.

 

[Chris 44]

Not that excited over the Aiyuk link, feels like old news and a move about 2 years too late. Njoku likewise.

That’s said re Aiyuk, a prove it deal on decent terms. Low risk, so fair enough.

Aiyuk stinks of ...just doing JD a favor by signing his buddy.

 

[Skinfanjon]

We only signed Chaisson for 1 year. EDGE has to still be high on the board. If we'd have signed him to a 3 year deal, I'd think differently.

My view is AP does not expect Reese or Bailey to be on the board and doesn’t have interest in Bain. Agree that he wouldn’t hesitate to take one of the first two despite free agency signings.