The 2026 Free Agency Thread

[Voice_of_Reason]

There is the little whisper in my head that hopes that Peters can find a team with a surplus of great wide receivers but that needs a DT and we do a player swap of Payne for X. I'd even recommend we swallow some of Payne's salary this year to make it work.

I’d really prefer to let Payne play out his contract and have numbers on the inside so we can keep all of the DL fresh, and have a deep group.

The big complaint is Payne has a $28m cap hit. I don’t actually see it that way. To me he has a $16m cap hit because releasing or trading him would mean a $12m hit. The $12m is sunk cost. It’s spent one way or the other.

So Payne at the additional $16m to me is worth it. And why take a deep group and make it less deep.

I think there are ways to still upgrade WR without it.

And if they get production from TE and some pass catching from the RBs, they can get bye with a not as talented WR group.

I still think they need 2 more WRs. But if it doesn’t happen I think they could get by.

 

[Faithful Fan]

I don’t want to get into individual players because it will sound a lot more negative than I intend it to. But none of the guys on the roster have put up significant numbers. We can make every excuse in the world for them but I tend to think they just aren’t that talented.

Aiyuk isn’t on the roster and I don’t think it is guaranteed he will be. I don’t know if he’ll be a #2 caliber guy after his injury. Diggs is a legal mess. Hill maybe? Keenan Allen signed elsewhere. I hope we do draft a starter.

You are right that we really don’t have anybody but Terry who has ever had WR2 or better production. I think we have some options there we could and should explore.

Keenan Allen signed elsewhere? If not, he could plug that hole for a year.

I still don’t understand why not Deebo, he was our leading receiver and a class act last year.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

Theres an argument that the guy who's available at 7 isn't the best option for the team, so don't spend if you can create elsewhere. I've been in the camp of Love to this point, and I think i'd still take Love over Tate to this point because he's an X-factor. I think Boone is saying we haven't fixed it, but we may not be able to fix it this year, and reaching for a guy at 7 because you're trying to fill a 'need' may not be the best plan of attack, if you can create a dynamic option elsewhere.

They threw big money at Pierce and he stayed in Indy. They threw big money at Doubs and he chose the Patriots.

It appears as though they threw some money at Jennings and he’s being a little bitch.

I think those were the top 3 WR’s available.

If you didn’t land one of them, then you’re looking at the next tier which isn’t a proven NFL starter.

I think Boone is right: this was going to be an almost impossible problem to solve this year. Unless they landed Pierce or Doubs.

When they didn’t, the group is going to continue to be a work in progress.

 

[Primus Porcus]

They threw big money at Pierce and he stayed in Indy. They threw big money at Doubs and he chose the Patriots.

It appears as though they threw some money at Jennings and he’s being a little bitch.

I think those were the top 3 WR’s available.

If you didn’t land one of them, then you’re looking at the next tier which isn’t a proven NFL starter.

I think Boone is right: this was going to be an almost impossible problem to solve this year. Unless they landed Pierce or Doubs.

When they didn’t, the group is going to continue to be a work in progress.

Were speakin the same language bud... I didnt' say they didnt try, i simply said that he mentioned that the 'stars dont align' and they didnt this year. There was an effort to address it but it didnt work out to this point. I hope we don't panic and draft based on miss opportunities either. I don't want a consolation prize in the draft... at 7th overall i want a game changer, and TBH i dont give a damn what position they play. It's just my opinion that Love is on a tier that nobody else (maybe Downs) is on at their position. Get the guy that keeps opposing coordinators up at night, if you're drafting your no. 2 WR 'with the hopes he develops into a no. 1' WR at 7 overall... you're leaving a lot of meat on the bone. If you believe Tate has the ability to be be top 10 at his position, and your future no. 1 WR after Terry leave.. spend the pick.

 

[Anselmheifer]

I think Van Jefferson is an underrated move.the back end of our WR room is going to be much better. Now we need to fix the front end. I can’t imagine the plan is to leave things here. Also,I’d appreciate it if San Fran grew up and cut Aiyuk.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

Were speakin the same language bud... I didnt' say they didnt try, i simply said that he mentioned that the 'stars dont align' and they didnt this year. There was an effort to address it but it didnt work out to this point. I hope we don't panic and draft based on miss opportunities either. I don't want a consolation prize in the draft... at 7th overall i want a game changer, and TBH i dont give a damn what position they play. It's just my opinion that Love is on a tier that nobody else (maybe Downs) is on at their position. Get the guy that keeps opposing coordinators up at night, if you're drafting your no. 2 WR 'with the hopes he develops into a no. 1' WR at 7 overall... you're leaving a lot of meat on the bone. If you believe Tate has the ability to be be top 10 at his position, and your future no. 1 WR after Terry leave.. spend the pick.

I wasn’t disagreeing, I was “yes and-ing” your post

I probably should have said that….

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

My one question about re-signing Brown, what does that do to Coleman?

I was assuming he was going to be the starting LG. Maybe that still happens.

I wonder if they could get Brown to start at LG and have Coleman compete at center. Quinn said he was taking some snaps at center last year.

Having more good OL is always good.

I think my hope now is that Coleman beats out brown for the LG spot.

 

[MartinC]

My one question about re-signing Brown, what does that do to Coleman?

I was assuming he was going to be the starting LG. Maybe that still happens.

I wonder if they could get Brown to start at LG and have Coleman compete at center. Quinn said he was taking some snaps at center last year.

Having more good OL is always good.

I think my hope now is that Coleman beats out brown for the LG spot.

Keim mentioned on one of his pods that Coleman was being looked at/thought of as a possible C. They liked what they saw in practice apparently.

 

[Anselmheifer]

My one question about re-signing Brown, what does that do to Coleman?

I was assuming he was going to be the starting LG. Maybe that still happens.

I wonder if they could get Brown to start at LG and have Coleman compete at center. Quinn said he was taking some snaps at center last year.

Having more good OL is always good.

I think my hope now is that Coleman beats out brown for the LG spot.

Paul?

 

[Riggotoni]

I'm much more upset about letting Kam Curl walk.... don't give a **** about Forbes, who was over hyped last year for a few highlights despite getting roasted regularly.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

Keim mentioned on one of his pods that Coleman was being looked at/thought of as a possible C. They liked what they saw in practice apparently.

Bram said the same thing. Because Quinn said it in a presser. Bram played the clip on his show.

 

[KDawg]

My one question about re-signing Brown, what does that do to Coleman?

I was assuming he was going to be the starting LG. Maybe that still happens.

I wonder if they could get Brown to start at LG and have Coleman compete at center. Quinn said he was taking some snaps at center last year.

Having more good OL is always good.

I think my hope now is that Coleman beats out brown for the LG spot.

If Dyami Brown starts at LG for us it’s going to be a real long season.

 

[Gooseneck]

If Dyami Brown starts at LG for us it’s going to be a real long season.

No way; he is special on putting the nose tackle on his ass and moving downfield quickly to knock of a CB and a few safeties.

 

[Primus Porcus]

If Dyami Brown starts at LG for us it’s going to be a real long season.

That's the UFO offense bro...

Trent Scott is WR2, he's got elite level Rec - TD ratio

 

[DWinzit]

Keim mentioned on one of his pods that Coleman was being looked at/thought of as a possible C. They liked what they saw in practice apparently.

I must say, Paul at LG and Coleman/Allegreti at C is no super appetizing

 

[method man]

I must say, Paul at LG and Coleman/Allegreti at C is no super appetizing

On Paul, unlikely he goes to center but noting he is a highly intelligent person

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

If Dyami Brown starts at LG for us it’s going to be a real long season.

Brown, Paul, what’s the difference really?

 

[method man]

I've been one of AP's biggest critics on this board, perhaps his greatest critic. I was bearish starting last offseason when they did not get a pass rusher of note early in FA, substituted Chinn for Will Harris and punted on an EDGE in round 1. His arrogance + the injuries ultimately bore us this terrible season.

I am giving him an A- thus far this in FA.

- If you don't have the draft capital, you need to fill your position groups with good veteran depth. AP did this at QB (Mariota & Johnson) and OL (Wylie, Allegretti, Fant, Herbig, Niang, Paul and Scott) last offseason. He has applied this approach to EDGE (Chiasson, Omenihu, Wise, JJB) and WR (Dyami, Jefferson, Burks) this offseason. We now have good depth at all 4 premium positions.

- I would say we have a baseline now at every position except center where there are still options out there if we choose to go for it. We can now truly go BPA in the draft for all picks

- Besides his Day 1 signings (Oweh, Amik and Settle), I would argue he has gotten great value on most of his other signings, especially Chenal, White, Chig and Cross. I am interested to see what Paul got but I am assuming it's excellent value relative to expectations prior to FA. I am also assuming they get Aiyuk on a 1 year deal for less than $10M. I know some are poo pooing this but keep in mind the likes of Tutu Atwell and Dyami Brown signed 1 year $10M deals last year. If Aiyuk gets back to even the 2022 (not the 2023) version of himself, this is a huge steal

- AP got lucky he lost out on Pierce and Doubs

- Had he been able to get Hendrickson to pair with Oweh with Armstrong as the top backup EDGE, I'd have this defense as a top 10 defense going into next season. This would have pushed me to push the grade to an A or A+

 

[CapsCommies]

I've been one of AP's biggest critics on this board, perhaps his greatest critic. I was bearish starting last offseason when they did not get a pass rusher of note early in FA, substituted Chinn for Will Harris and punted on an EDGE in round 1. His arrogance + the injuries ultimately bore us this terrible season.

I am giving him an A- thus far this in FA.

- If you don't have the draft capital, you need to fill your position groups with good veteran depth. AP did this at QB (Mariota & Johnson) and OL (Wylie, Allegretti, Fant, Herbig, Niang, Paul and Scott) last offseason. He has applied this approach to EDGE (Chiasson, Omenihu, Wise, JJB) and WR (Dyami, Jefferson, Burks) this offseason. We now have good depth at all 4 premium positions.

- I would say we have a baseline now at every position except center where there are still options out there if we choose to go for it. We can now truly go BPA in the draft for all picks

- Besides his Day 1 signings (Oweh, Amik and Settle), I would argue he has gotten great value on most of his other signings, especially Chenal, White, Chig and Cross. I am interested to see what Paul got but I am assuming it's excellent value relative to expectations prior to FA. I am also assuming they get Aiyuk on a 1 year deal for less than $10M. I know some are poo pooing this but keep in mind the likes of Tutu Atwell and Dyami Brown signed 1 year $10M deals last year. If Aiyuk gets back to even the 2022 (not the 2023) version of himself, this is a huge steal

- AP got lucky he lost out on Pierce and Doubs

- Had he been able to get Hendrickson to pair with Oweh with Armstrong as the top backup EDGE, I'd have this defense as a top 10 defense going into next season. This would have pushed me to push the grade to an A or A+

Baltimore reneging on the Crosby deal spiked any chances of Hendrickson. Rumor is Trey was deciding between the Colts and Commanders when Baltimore swooped in.

 

[Bulldog]

All those folks that think every young high pick quarterback has immediately been handed a bevy of weapons is mistaken.

Bo Nix was drafted in 2024 along with Daniels and his best receiver is Courtland Sutton. Solid but not among the best, not elite. Most would probably take Terry over Sutton, right?

In New England Vrabel and Co. gave Drake Maye good backs and a defense but his best receiver last year was 31 year old retread Stefon Diggs. Again, a guy who puts up solid numbers but lower on the WR scale than Terry McLaurin.

We could see in the Super Bowl that the Patriots LT and LG combination were inferior to the performance of Tunsil and Paul here in DC.

Of the recent picks Caleb Williams has probably received the most support.

But some of that was already in place with DJ Moore and Cole Kmet on the roster.

Kennan Allen was a nice pickup but he’s looking again for a new job at 33.

Here in Washington when you throw in Okonkwo and White in as pass options in this offense Daniels really is only a WR2 away from having a full complement of weapons.

And we are less than a week into the offseason.