The 2026 Free Agency Thread

[Bulldog]

In an ideal world I would have favored signing a WR in free agency and drafting Downs as a potential franchise defender at a position long ignored by the team.

But since players at every position EXCEPT wide receiver seem willing to come to Washington in free agency we may have to look at the draft.

To get value, we may have to move down from #7 and try and recoup a #2 pick and perhaps a #4, then go ahead and take a receiver later in Round 1 and moving to grab DE, S and RB with the 2-3-4 picks we will then have to balance out the top of the draft order.

 

[Discobob]

This is exactly what I would do if I was Aiyuk. I would show up then immediately file a greivance with the NFLPA.

I'm not confident, but his window to file a grievance may be over? His issue should / could have been about them cancelling his guarantees. He chose not to file a grievance when they did that.... now he will only get paid when the bonuses / salaries are due in his contract. I don't think any of those are right now... so he can probably show up and they still won't have to pay him until one of those dates comes up.

He should have probably filed a grievance when they voided his guarantees... he could have bargained to drop it if they cut him, and he'd be free now.

EDIT: His original contract had a 2026 option bonus... it's fair to say that they guarantee of this bonus was VOIDED, but the date tied to that bonus would still be a part of the contract.... so I think Sept 1st is the first day he'd get paid.

 

[UK Skins]

Washington Commanders - Regular Season Wins 2026-27​

Washington Commanders Over 7.5 Wins
4/6
Washington Commanders Under 7.5 Wins
1/1

 

[Boone]

One thing I wonder about. Given how Terry McLaurin pouted his way through last offseason and the start of the 2025 season, just how far would his nose be out of joint if they signed Jennings to a big money contract? I imagine that could be a factor.

 

[SkinsNumberOne]

One thing I wonder about. Given how Terry McLaurin pouted his way through last offseason and the start of the 2025 season, just how far would his nose be out of joint if they signed Jennings to a big money contract? I imagine that could be a factor.

I think Terry definitely acted very poorly, but in general you do want to manage the salaries - it has effects on the locker room.

I remember our big first round DL talent all clapping each other on the back and talking about how they were going to make their big paydays here basically. That stuff is just horrible for the locker room. They would act like they're competing for Ws, sure, but there was a lot of signaling that $$$$ was paramount. No one should be naive; money is a big factor. You can also for locker room purposes keep your focus on the field though.

At least Terry outside of when he's got a contract dispute, I think they like his focus. He doesn't do that immature garbage, I think he is a strong presence there. He screwed up bigtime last summer, in my opinion.

 

[skinsinparadise]

 

[skinsinparadise]

One thing I wonder about. Given how Terry McLaurin pouted his way through last offseason and the start of the 2025 season, just how far would his nose be out of joint if they signed Jennings to a big money contract? I imagine that could be a factor.

I can see that but am getting the impression (forgot from which national reporter) that the offers for Jennings are below 15 million. I guess will see.

 

[ES1974]

One thing I wonder about. Given how Terry McLaurin pouted his way through last offseason and the start of the 2025 season, just how far would his nose be out of joint if they signed Jennings to a big money contract? I imagine that could be a factor.

Quite a few unknowns on our cap space too. I would have estimated we are down to about $40m, caveat being how much we got back on the Tunsil extension from a 2026 cap perspective.

Then Aiyuk might then be after a 1 year $10m deal ? Who knows.

You’d wouldn’t then want Jennings on a $15m+ 1 year prove it deal for example. And I’m not sure you want the risk of a LTD on Jennings, plus Aiyuk, plus Terry being moved on in 2027.

All of a sudden the arse has basically fallen out of your WR group and you’ve wasted a Hell of a lot of money and cap in the process.

 

[Dah-Dee]

Weird thing about Aiyuk is, I'm not even sure those in media have the cap/etc. situation right. I was on NFL.com and the FAQ says this about the "Reserve/Did Not Report (left team)" list SF apparently (?) put Aiyuk on:

"Reserve/Did Not Report (left team): Players who have left their team or stopped playing NFL football but have yet to submit retirement papers. This player does not count against a team's roster limit or its salary cap."

That last sentence seems to be key, because if Aiyuk doesn't currently count against the salary cap at all (!), then SF has no reason beyond optics to reinstate/release him - they could seemingly just leave Aiyuk there for the remainder of the contract. As far as the NFL and its roster/salary cap rules go, the Aiyuk contract doesn't exist right now.

Sounds like a huge reason for Aiyuk to officially report to the team, but I haven't seen/heard any discussion of that possibility, at all.

The whole thing is bizarre.

 

[ES1974]

I can see that but am getting the impression (forgot from which national reporter) that the offers for Jennings are below 15 million. I guess will see.

That actually feels like reasonable money for Jennings, sounds like he’s pushing the boundaries too much for now.

I’m slightly ‘concerned’ that our FO have an obsession with Aiyuk that is getting in the way of a more aggressive pursuit for another WR.

No basis to that, just gut feel.

 

[Primus Porcus]

Weird thing about Aiyuk is, I'm not even sure those in media have the cap/etc. situation right. I was on NFL.com and the FAQ says this about the "Reserve/Did Not Report (left team)" list SF apparently (?) put Aiyuk on:

"Reserve/Did Not Report (left team): Players who have left their team or stopped playing NFL football but have yet to submit retirement papers. This player does not count against a team's roster limit or its salary cap."

That last sentence seems to be key, because if Aiyuk doesn't currently count against the salary cap at all (!), then SF has no reason beyond optics to reinstate/release him - they could seemingly just leave Aiyuk there for the remainder of the contract. As far as the NFL and its roster/salary cap rules go, the Aiyuk contract doesn't exist right now.

Sounds like a huge reason for Aiyuk to officially report to the team, but I haven't seen/heard any discussion of that possibility, at all.

The whole thing is bizarre.

Yeah and that does muddy the waters because if SF didn't have a leg to stand on, you have to imagine the NFLPA would be going hard after SF because they don't exactly like to sit back and let their guys lose out on money they may be entitled to.

 

[Anselmheifer]

I can see that but am getting the impression (forgot from which national reporter) that the offers for Jennings are below 15 million. I guess will see.

Sign me up for 15 million. Then at least we have a high floor across the roster.

 

[heisenberg]

Yeah and that does muddy the waters because if SF didn't have a leg to stand on, you have to imagine the NFLPA would be going hard after SF because they don't exactly like to sit back and let their guys lose out on money they may be entitled to.

Or be held hostage by a team that has no ramifications in the hostage situation.

Despite aiyuks actions it would be absurd for the team to be able hold him indefinitely while also not allowing him in their building or a chance to play for them again.

 

[CuredFromBatteredFanSyndrome]

What are the rumors? More than 25 mil per?

Last I checked - which is likely considering there’s been crickets about him. I assume it will remain that way until reality sets in.

 

[Dlts20]

 

[Dlts20]

Vegas with projected 7.5 wins betting odds, tied with the mightly NY Giants.

Tough schedule but I'll still take the over

 

[MartinC]

Washington Commanders - Regular Season Wins 2026-27​

Washington Commanders Over 7.5 Wins
4/6
Washington Commanders Under 7.5 Wins
1/1

I would take the over.

But not with overwhelming confidence.

 

[Kalu44]

One thing I wonder about. Given how Terry McLaurin pouted his way through last offseason and the start of the 2025 season, just how far would his nose be out of joint if they signed Jennings to a big money contract? I imagine that could be a factor.

Considering Terry could be cut after this year, I doubt he would not rock the boat. That would not be a good look for him, if he expects to sign a big contract with another team. Terry will be a model citizen.

 

[Dlts20]

So is there a window between June 1st and September where his contract is basically zero until that September bonus? It seems like I was reading something like that yesterday so maybe someone can negotiate with him in between then and they think that they can get a pick because of that. Does anyone know if that's possible?

 

[Boone]

I don't know brother. Who would've ever thought he would go to the media and cry about his contract unhappiness... but that's exactly what he did.