The 2026 Free Agency Thread

[Bulldog]

I still like Bill and JMC so I'm not against it. Also some solid backs later in the draft. Also wouldn't be shocked if Eckler came back later

Yeah, but the team still has a lot of money to spend going forward on mid-tier free agents that didn't get prime contracts in Round 1, the #7 overall in April and the post-draft free agency period when you see veterans get cut for cap reasons.

I would doubt after what we have seen that Peters is now going to wait 2 months to see IF the 49ers are going to cut Aiyuk to make a move at WR.

I also think running backs are to be found near where we are at #71 in the draft. Some very good backs in the NFL were found right around that pick.

 

[SkinsLife]

i am kind of souring on Jennings.. its Aiuk or bust for me. Jenning just doesnt move the needle enough. There is a reason SF signed a 33y old oft injured Evans to 20mil a year vs giving that money to Jennings.
Jennings is a jag wr2/ 2B really... he is like a healthy Noah Brown. Above average at everything.. great at nothing. We already have a possession WR in Terry. We need speed and quickness.

With our WR room he is a warm body and would help .. but only because we are so lacking at WR. I'd rather wait on Ayuik and then draft one high.
.

 

[skinsinparadise]

I still like Bill and JMC so I'm not against it. Also some solid backs later in the draft. Also wouldn't be shocked if Eckler came back later

If its those two and Ekeler as their plan at RB. I'll give KDawg the floor on this one. How would you feel about Croskey-Merritt, Ekeler coming off the Achilles injury and JMC as the backfield?

For me it would feel soooooo 2025. And so the reverse of the Bears-Pats and all the 2024 QB drafted teams. JD5, IMO would double down on the feeling on how the poor soul got drafted here instead of greener pastures elsewhere.

 

[Skinfanjon]

Well, actually I like the 2025 draft for Washington, we just didn't have enough picks.

Conerly Jr. and Amos were starters and Lane was a regular contributor. Merritt ran for 805 yards.

That's pretty good for only having 5 picks.

If we had gotten a proportional return on the 2024 draft where we had NINE picks, the team would be that much further along.

Try again

“Wide receiver is one of those positions though where there are a number of veterans out there that could be a 1 year bridge to 2027 if we aren't able to get one at #7.”

 

[method man]

SF clearly playing up.

I mean, AP could get very creative and negotiate a swap of picks with them.

We offer a 2027 3rd, they give us Aiyuk plus a two of their 2026 4th rounders. Also rework the Aiyuk contract down to a one year pact.

Draft pick value falls to SF, but we pull in a couple of 4ths this year to ease any pressure to trade back…..

AP is a clown if he gives anything up. Just wait

 

[Bulldog]

SF clearly playing up.

I mean, AP could get very creative and negotiate a swap of picks with them.

We offer a 2027 3rd, they give us Aiyuk plus a two of their 2026 4th rounders. Also rework the Aiyuk contract down to a one year pact.

Draft pick value falls to SF, but we pull in a couple of 4ths this year to ease any pressure to trade back…..

No way. If anything I want to see Washington trade UP to get a second rounder and a player more capable of coming in and contributing in 2026.

The 'lure' of Aiyuk was that he was coming here 'for free' other than the modest contract he as going to supposedly sign.

If either of those variables don't play out, I REALLY don't want him here.

This guy is not Jerry Rice or Justin Jefferson.

In truth he had ONE really great season where he was among the league leaders in yards, etc.

And then he got hurt and hasn't played a down since October of 2024.

 

[Discobob]

SF clearly playing up.

I mean, AP could get very creative and negotiate a swap of picks with them.

We offer a 2027 3rd, they give us Aiyuk plus a two of their 2026 4th rounders. Also rework the Aiyuk contract down to a one year pact.

Draft pick value falls to SF, but we pull in a couple of 4ths this year to ease any pressure to trade back…..

Nah.... we all know they are backdoor negotiating.... if we are confident Aiyuk will sign, don't play their game

edit: If there is a way to trade for him so we GET a draft pick by absorbing some of his cost to cut (I don't know if that is even possible)... I'd use the deal to pay for a draft pick

 

[Boone]

i am kind of souring on Jennings.. its Aiuk or bust for me. Jenning just doesnt move the needle enough. There is a reason SF signed a 33y old oft injured Evans to 20mil a year vs giving that money to Jennings.
Jennings is a jag wr2/ 2B really... he is like a healthy Noah Brown. Above average at everything.. great at nothing. We already have a possession WR in Terry. We need speed and quickness.

With our WR room he is a warm body and would help .. but only because we are so lacking at WR. I'd rather wait on Ayuik and then draft one high.
.

Except Jennings actually plays in games

 

[Bulldog]

Try again

“Wide receiver is one of those positions though where there are a number of veterans out there that could be a 1 year bridge to 2027 if we aren't able to get one at #7.”

OK, I would be in favor of signing a veteran wide receiver like Keenan Allen and then using a draft pick, perhaps moving up from #71 into the second round to take a WR with down the field speed and size, although we could move back in Round 1 from #7 for other options too.

I don't think our season rests on the ability to get a player that hasn't played in a year and half coming off a knee injury at a position where speed and quickness on his feet is paramount.

Some folks here are portraying Aiyuk as a Justin Jefferson or CeeDee Lamb type franchise receiver that is going to elevate the offense to a level we can't even imagine at this point.

Let's get real. He had one really breakout season where his numbers DID actually approach those guys' all-pro years and then he got paid and subsequently got hurt.

We haven't seen him follow up on that season that netted him the new contract as of yet.

I wonder if that Aiyuk is still that player.

 

[ES1974]

No way. If anything I want to see Washington trade UP to get a second rounder and a player more capable of coming in and contributing in 2026.

The 'lure' of Aiyuk was that he was coming here 'for free' other than the modest contract he as going to supposedly sign.

If either of those variables don't play out, I REALLY don't want him here.

This guy is not Jerry Rice or Justin Jefferson.

In truth he had ONE really great season where he was among the league leaders in yards, etc.

And then he got hurt and hasn't played a down since October of 2024.

2027 3rd…

Therefore having 2 x 2026 4ths gives us that scope to move up on day 2 this year.

 

[Gooseneck]

There's a lot more Rodriguez fans in this fanbase than I thought there was.

Well you must admit having a running back drafted in the 5th round and on numerous carries, averages 4.6 yards a carry while taking short burst runs for the goal line and first down that lower the real average yds per carry. I think we all respected him, and yelled for more carries. I just think the the team was maybe looking for something there at Running back


Chris Rodriguez Jr.
(often called "C-Rod") is a professional football running back who recently signed a two-year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars on March 11, 2026. He joins the Jaguars as a free agent after spending the first three seasons of his career with the Washington Commanders.

Wikipedia +3

NFL Career Summary
Rodriguez was drafted by Washington in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He had a breakout 2025 season, establishing himself as a productive power runner.

Pro-Football-Reference.com +1

Category	2025 Season Stats	Career Totals (3 Seasons)
Rushing Yards	500	920
Rushing Touchdowns	6	10
Carries	112	198
Average Yards/Carry	4.5	4.6

Key Details

• Current Team: Jacksonville Jaguars (signed March 2026).
• College: University of Kentucky, where he finished as the school's second all-time leader in rushing touchdowns.
• Physical Profile: He is 5'11" and weighs approximately 224 lbs, known for a physical "downhill" running style.
• Role in Jacksonville: He is expected to compete for a significant complementary role in a backfield that also features Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen J

 

[Gooseneck]

Cap Team Cap Space: $66,354,397 not including these players

Chigoziem Okonkwo	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0		$0		$0		$0	$0
Tim Settle	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0		$0		$0		$0	$0
Amik Robertson	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0		$0		$0		$0	$0
Odafe Oweh	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0		$0		$0		$0	$0
Shy Tuttle	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0		$0		$0		$0	$0

Daron Payne	$16,400,000	$5,600,000	$0	$5,000,000	$510,000	$500,000	$0		$0		$27,950,000		$11,200,000	$16,750,000
Laremy Tunsil	$20,950,000	$3,600,000	$0	$0	$250,000	$150,000	$0		$0		$24,905,882		$14,400,000	$10,505,882
Samuel Cosmi	$15,500,000	$4,000,000	$0	$0	$510,000	$490,000	$0		$15,500,000		$20,260,000		$27,500,000	($7,240,000)
Terry McLaurin	$2,900,000	$11,600,000	$2,500,000	$0	$850,000	$500,000	$0		$12,900,000		$18,000,000		$42,500,000	($24,500,000)
Javon Kinlaw	$12,200,000	$3,300,000	$0	$0	$510,000	$0	$190,000		$12,200,000		$16,200,000		$25,400,000	($9,200,000)
Dorance Armstrong Jr.	$8,595,000	$3,000,000	$0	$0	$510,000	$250,000	$0		$0		$12,055,000		$9,000,000	$3,055,000
Frankie Luvu	$7,555,000	$2,300,000	$0	$1,000,000	$340,000	$100,000	$0		$0		$11,295,000		$6,900,000	$4,395,000
K'Lavon Chaisson	$3,300,000	$7,000,000	$0	$0	$510,000	$190,000	$0		$3,300,000		$10,970,000		$10,300,000	$670,000
Jayden Daniels	$1,075,000	$6,068,027	$0	$3,151,514	$0	$0	$0		$4,226,514		$10,294,541		$22,304,839	($12,010,298)
Nick Allegretti	$5,510,000	$1,178,000	$0	$0	$340,000	$150,000	$0		$0		$7,178,000		$3,534,000	$3,644,000
Marcus Mariota	$1,390,000	$5,000,000	$0	$0	$510,000	$100,000	$0		$1,390,000		$6,940,000		$6,390,000	$550,000
John Bates	$3,010,000	$2,333,333	$0	$0	$340,000	$150,000	$0		$3,010,000		$5,793,333		$7,676,667	($1,883,334)
Will Harris	$2,890,000	$1,000,000	$0	$500,000	$510,000	$100,000	$0		$0		$4,760,000		$1,000,000	$3,760,000
Leo Chenal	$1,600,000	$2,166,666	$0	$0	$510,000	$140,000	$0		$1,600,000		$4,326,666		$12,400,000	($8,073,334)
Quan Martin	$3,674,000	$638,695	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0		$0		$4,312,695		$638,695	$3,674,000
Jeremy Reaves	$2,095,000	$852,500	$0	$0	$425,000	$125,000	$150,000		$1,125,000		$3,647,500		$1,977,500	$1,670,000
Josh Conerly Jr.	$1,005,000	$2,011,108	$0	$547,777	$0	$0	$0		$1,552,777		$3,563,885		$12,829,986	($9,266,101)
Andrew Wylie	$1,775,000	$750,000	$0	$0	$425,000	$250,000	$0		$2,200,000		$3,200,000		$3,700,000	($500,000)
Percy Butler	$1,525,000	$675,000	$0	$0	$425,000	$200,000	$0		$0		$2,800,000		$675,000	$2,125,000
Jer'Zhan Newton	$1,682,090	$979,180	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0		$1,682,090		$2,661,270		$4,440,450	($1,779,180)
Nick Bellore	$1,500,000	$247,500	$0	$0	$425,000	$50,000	$0		$0		$2,197,500		$247,500	$1,950,000
Mike Sainristil	$1,495,212	$605,425	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0		$897,128		$2,100,637		$2,107,978	($7,341)
Treylon Burks	$1,215,000	$400,000	$0	$0	$680,000	$55,000	$0		$0		$1,990,000		$400,000	$1,590,000
Ben Sinnott	$1,452,086	$519,173	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0		$602,616		$1,971,259		$1,640,962	$330,297
Trey Amos	$1,170,910	$483,640	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0		$1,170,910		$1,654,550		$3,245,085	($1,590,535)
Brandon Coleman	$1,345,748	$306,495	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0		$0		$1,652,243		$612,990	$1,039,253
Luke McCaffrey	$1,263,756	$222,511	$0	$0	$0	$40,000	$0		$0		$1,526,267		$445,022	$1,081,245
Tyler Ott	$1,300,000	$133,334	$0	$0	$0	$75,000	$0		$0		$1,508,334		$133,334	$1,375,000
Tress Way	$2,850,000	$162,500	$0	$0	$0	$25,000	$0		$2,850,000		$1,487,500		$3,012,500	($1,525,000)
Deatrich Wise	$1,300,000	$75,000	$0	$0	$0	$75,000	$0		$0		$1,450,000		$75,000	$1,375,000
Jaylin Lane	$1,005,000	$228,460	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0		$0		$1,233,460		$685,380	$548,080
Jordan Magee	$1,075,000	$92,807	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0		$0		$1,167,807		$185,614	$982,193
D.J. Johnson	$1,145,000	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0		$0		$1,145,000		$0	$1,145,000
Andre Carter II	$1,145,000	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0		$0		$1,145,000		$0	$1,145,000
Lawrence Cager	$1,145,000	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0		$0		$1,145,000		$0	$1,145,000
Javontae Jean-Baptiste	$1,075,000	$30,297	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0		$0		$1,105,297		$60,594	$1,044,703
Tyler Owens	$1,075,000	$6,668	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0		$0		$1,081,668		$6,668	$1,075,000
Colson Yankoff	$1,075,000	$3,334	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0		$0		$1,078,334		$3,334	$1,075,000
Darius Rush	$1,075,000	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0		$0		$1,075,000		$0	$1,075,000
Julian Good-Jones	$1,075,000	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0		$0		$1,075,000		$0	$1,075,000
Sala Aumavae-Laulu	$1,075,000	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0		$0		$1,075,000		$0	$1,075,000
Sam Hartman	$1,075,000	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0		$0		$1,075,000		$0	$1,075,000
Tre Hawkins	$1,075,000	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0		$0		$1,075,000		$0	$1,075,000
Kain Medrano	$1,005,000	$52,086	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0		$0		$1,057,086		$156,258	$900,828
Jacory Croskey-Merritt	$1,005,000	$26,357	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0		$0		$1,031,357		$79,071	$952,286
Ale Kaho	$1,005,000	$3,333	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0		$0		$1,008,333		$6,667	$1,001,666
Qwuantrezz Knight	$1,005,000	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0		$0		$1,005,000		$0	$1,005,000
Robert McDaniel	$885,000	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0		$0		$885,000		$0	$885,000
Jacoby Jones	$885,000	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0		$0		$885,000		$0	$885,000
Nick Nash	$885,000	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0		$0		$885,000		$0	$885,000
Ja'Corey Brooks	$885,000	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0		$0		$885,000		$0	$885,000
Top 51 Cutoff
Car'lin Vigers	$885,000	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0		$0		$885,000		$0	$885,000
Ricky Barber	$885,000	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0		$0		$885,000		$0	$885,000
TJ Maguranyanga	$885,000	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0		$0		$885,000		$0	$885,000
Tim McKay	$885,000	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0		$0		$885,000		$0	$885,000
Tyler Cooper	$885,000	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0		$0		$885,000		$0	$885,000
Chigoziem Okonkwo	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0		$0		$0		$0	$0
Tim Settle	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0		$0		$0		$0	$0
Amik Robertson	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0		$0		$0		$0	$0
Odafe Oweh	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0		$0		$0		$0	$0
Drake Jackson	$1,215,000	$187,500	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0		$312,500		$0		$500,000	($500,000)
Shy Tuttle	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0		$0		$0		$0	$0

 

[Dlts20]

If its those two and Ekeler as their plan at RB. I'll give KDawg the floor on this one. How would you feel about Croskey-Merritt, Ekeler coming off the Achilles injury and JMC as the backfield?

For me it would feel soooooo 2025. And so the reverse of the Bears-Pats and all the 2024 QB drafted teams. JD5, IMO would double down on the feeling on how the poor soul got drafted here instead of greener pastures elsewhere.

Trust me, I in no way think that is the plan but I do think that they are higher on Bill than most of our fans seem to be and I am with them on that

 

[Chris]

I'm sure they are just trying to wait it out and find a trade partner, but I can't imagine absolutely anybody trading for that contract given his situation in SF. It's a pipe dream.

I've got a better shot at landing a date with Adria Arjona than they do of trading that contract.

They certainly know that no team is going to take on that contract. SF is butt hurt and acting like a spurned lover.

 

[heisenberg]

Its funny how aiyuk hasn't even been released yet and everybody has him on our roster.

It'd suck but I'd laugh my ass off if they released him and he signed elsewhere.

 

[Bulldog]

2027 3rd…

Therefore having 2 x 2026 4ths gives us that scope to move up on day 2 this year.

no picks for Aiyuk. to me you either get him as a free agent or he can go elsewhere.

 

[Bulldog]

Austin Ekeler is not coming back to Washington IMO.

I see some posts where they have added him to Merritt and another acquisition as part of a 3 headed attack.

Ekeler is 31 years old and rehabbing from an ACL.

If the team didn't bring back some HEALTHY geezers so far they are not bringing back a 31 year old injured running back.

Age 31 for a running back is like age 39 or 40 for a quarterback. Not too many of those around.

 

[lovemaskins]

Settle was asked about ‘the brotherhood’ aspect in Washington. He said “well I’m the brother and this is the hood”. 🤣

I had a flight out of Buffalo a few years back thru Dulles, he flew first class. Had a Bills team shirt on, don’t think folks knew who he was. Gave him a nod, cool guy.

 

[Chris]

Austin Ekeler is not coming back to Washington IMO.

I see some posts where they have added him to Merritt and another acquisition as part of a 3 headed attack.

Ekeler is 31 years old and rehabbing from an ACL.

If the team didn't bring back some HEALTHY geezers so far they are not bringing back a 31 year old injured running back.

Age 31 for a running back is like age 39 or 40 for a quarterback. Not too many of those around.

Agreed. (Rehabbing from a torn achilles which is worse.)

 

[skinsinparadise]

Trust me, I in no way think that is the plan but I do think that they are higher on Bill than most of our fans seem to be and I am with them on that

They've not earned my trust when they bank on some outlier sounding thought on offense. Why couldn't Noah Brown stay heaithy and be our Z? Why can't McCaffrey be the slot or if not why can't Lane blossom as a rookie there? Why can't Gallup be the next Zacchieus? People might not believe in Chris Moore but we do?

Among other things, I hate swinging so low to help the franchise QB with an ifs and buts solution -- when other teams that draft QBs have taken the opposite approach and are trying to load up their young QBs for success versus hanging on ifs and buts and hope.

Not saying they will do this again in 2026. But to me it would be cringe if they do it.