The 2026 Free Agency Thread

[Dlts20]

Etienne actually got $9m more than Walker.

I wonder if Treylon Burks is viewed higher than we realize. We could have very easily been in on Michael Pittman, Jauan Jennings is unsigned--they're both bigger, possession type receivers similar to Burks. I'd much rather have Pittman and Jennings, but maybe he's a bigger part than we realize?

I think they did make a play for Pittman by the reports but I do think that they like Burks. Blough also seemed to speak about Brooks as though he likes him also. I could see some guys getting more burn with Blough than with Kliff. Every coach likes different guys and some coaches play politics a lot instead of the better player

 

[ES1974]

Impossible to know what’s going on behind the scenes, however I’d also say the 49ers have a duty of care as an employer, and they seem to be playing out some kind of unnecessary game with a player, in what appear delicate circumstances.

Maybe not, but it’s all a bit strange and doesn’t look that professional to me, from the outside, with limited visibility of fact of course.

 

[Boone]

Here’s a thought… we don’t all have to agree on any particular player. It’s not a personal insult or some transgression because another fan views a player differently. It shouldn’t wound you personally

 

[moondog]

Here’s a thought… we don’t all have to agree on any particular player. It’s not a personal insult or some transgression because another fan views a player differently. It shouldn’t wound you personally

Nah man, it's important to take it as a personal insult/wound even when someone violently agrees with you!

 

[Discobob]

I still dont understand how a team can void all of the guarantees in your contract and yet somehow the contract is still in force.

Imagine your employer telling you they're no longer paying you but you cant go work anywhere else.

Umm, yeah that doesn't work for me.

I don't like the fact that they are holding on to him, but they did pay him a bunch of $$$ and they aren't allowed to not pay him going forward.... it's just that they don't have to pay him until the contract payment dates. So saying they aren't paying him isn't technically true (even if we all feel like they are being childish about this)

 

[Dah-Dee]

 

[skinsinparadise]

 

[Dah-Dee]

 

[heisenberg]

I don't like the fact that they are holding on to him, but they did pay him a bunch of $$$ and they aren't allowed to not pay him going forward.... it's just that they don't have to pay him until the contract payment dates. So saying they aren't paying him isn't technically true (even if we all feel like they are being childish about this)

The reports on that are all over the place.

Some say hes on the "left team list" and therefore they dont owe him anything.

I dont know how it works but it does seem unfair they can void part of his contract and not all of it.

 

[Boone]

I think Aiyuk is making a mistake not getting the NFLPA involved as I think that additional pressure would probably force the NFL to ‘encourage’ San Fran to resolve the situation…

 

[Discobob]

The reports on that are all over the place.

Some say hes on the "left team list" and therefore they dont owe him anything.

I dont know how it works but it does seem unfair they can void part of his contract and not all of it.

If they truly voided payments, that is problematic IMO

Based on how I've put it all together, I think he still gets all his $$$ if he's on the team, but the next payment date is Sept 1st. If he didn't show up prior to then (or maybe TC) they'd be able to fine him or put him on the "left the team" list and not pay him.

But I agree, the info out there feels a bit speculative.

edit: I also agree with Boone in the post above

 

[DWinzit]

The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reports the Broncos acquired WR Jaylen Waddle, formerly of the Dolphins, in exchange for 2026 first, third, and fourth round draft picks.

 

[heisenberg]

The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reports the Broncos acquired WR Jaylen Waddle, formerly of the Dolphins, in exchange for 2026 first, third, and fourth round draft picks.

I believe the Broncos are also getting a 4th round pick back as well.

 

[Kalu44]

The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reports the Broncos acquired WR Jaylen Waddle, formerly of the Dolphins, in exchange for 2026 first, third, and fourth round draft picks.

Basically 2,4,5 picks given their draft slot. Still, that’s a decent haul.

 

[Dlts20]

It would be funny if the team pulled Kittle aside and be like, hey, stfu before we are found liable 😂😂😂

It is crazy though that you have his trainer, teammates, some coaches, and reporters all saying that he was doing the right thing until SF started doing weird stuff. His name seems to have been dragged for nothing.

Then he didn't even try to fight against it because he thought they would have to release him immediately yet these guys are being some petty, bullies and are trying to ruin him... Smh

I hope he comes here and kills it with Jayden. The city would love him

 

[Dah-Dee]

It seems like Aiyuk's agent did him a disservice in failing to convince him that disputing the voided guarantees was the right/smart thing to do. But maybe he tried and Aiyuk was stupidly adamant, who knows.

As far as the current situation and how it impacts Peters' ability to sign Aiyuk as a FA, further digging indicates that Aiyuk's status defaulted to being on the roster as of the beginning of the new league year, and it appears (not positive about this) the first date on which SF can renew the 'reserve/left team' designation is the day after the final roster cuts to 53, end of August - which lines up with the roster bonus of $9.6M due beginning of September and which I can't imagine SF wants to pay. Before that, SF can save $6M against the cap if they release Aiyuk by June 1.

So right now, it does appear Aiyuk is taking up a roster spot (but only one of 90) and counting against the salary cap for $14.6M, and you'd think the worst case for FA signing purposes would be SF releasing him at the end of August to avoid the roster bonus. That would be extremely unhelpful for the Commanders, who'd already have their own camp completed and roster set for the upcoming first regular season game. No way Peters can logically including Aiyuk in any forecasted WR depth chart, way too speculative not even considering unknown condition of his knee.

This all helps explain why Peters did apparently take swings at Pierce/Doubs/others so far in FA, but it also makes it more disappointing we haven't done more at the position other than sign slight upgrades to the off-the-street type guys we signed both early (Gallup/etc) and late (Chosen/Moore/etc) last year.

 

[AngryChuckT]

Like anything else there are three sides to every story. I personally don't want Aiyuk even on a team friendly prove-it deal.

I want to move forward as a franchise and even a whiff of potential future drama is enough for me to say pass. Teams in the middle of a dynasty can take on a potential drama project. We are still rebuilding and don't need the distractions.

 

[RexTomb]

View attachment 14394

So you're saying it's improved!

 

[Discobob]

It seems like Aiyuk's agent did him a disservice in failing to convince him that disputing the voided guarantees was the right/smart thing to do. But maybe he tried and Aiyuk was stupidly adamant, who knows.

As far as the current situation and how it impacts Peters' ability to sign Aiyuk as a FA, further digging indicates that Aiyuk's status defaulted to being on the roster as of the beginning of the new league year, and it appears (not positive about this) the first date on which SF can renew the 'reserve/left team' designation is the day after the final roster cuts to 53, end of August - which lines up with the roster bonus of $9.6M due beginning of September and which I can't imagine SF wants to pay. Before that, SF can save $6M against the cap if they release Aiyuk by June 1.

So right now, it does appear Aiyuk is taking up a roster spot (but only one of 90) and counting against the salary cap for $14.6M, and you'd think the worst case for FA signing purposes would be SF releasing him at the end of August to avoid the roster bonus. That would be extremely unhelpful for the Commanders, who'd already have their own camp completed and roster set for the upcoming first regular season game. No way Peters can logically including Aiyuk in any forecasted WR depth chart, way too speculative not even considering unknown condition of his knee.

This all helps explain why Peters did apparently take swings at Pierce/Doubs/others so far in FA, but it also makes it more disappointing we haven't done more at the position other than sign slight upgrades to the off-the-street type guys we signed both early (Gallup/etc) and late (Chosen/Moore/etc) last year.

Yeah... if it all plays out that way, it seems like the only way to make it work in Washington would be to sign him right before the season starts, have him "strain a muscle" and then we short term IR him as he "rehabs." Maybe he'd be able to contribute the 2nd half of the seaon.

But I agree, it makes it impossible to count on him at this point, so you better make a contingency plan!

 

[Bulldog]

It seems like Aiyuk's agent did him a disservice in failing to convince him that disputing the voided guarantees was the right/smart thing to do. But maybe he tried and Aiyuk was stupidly adamant, who knows.

As far as the current situation and how it impacts Peters' ability to sign Aiyuk as a FA, further digging indicates that Aiyuk's status defaulted to being on the roster as of the beginning of the new league year, and it appears (not positive about this) the first date on which SF can renew the 'reserve/left team' designation is the day after the final roster cuts to 53, end of August - which lines up with the roster bonus of $9.6M due beginning of September and which I can't imagine SF wants to pay. Before that, SF can save $6M against the cap if they release Aiyuk by June 1.

So right now, it does appear Aiyuk is taking up a roster spot (but only one of 90) and counting against the salary cap for $14.6M, and you'd think the worst case for FA signing purposes would be SF releasing him at the end of August to avoid the roster bonus. That would be extremely unhelpful for the Commanders, who'd already have their own camp completed and roster set for the upcoming first regular season game. No way Peters can logically including Aiyuk in any forecasted WR depth chart, way too speculative not even considering unknown condition of his knee.

This all helps explain why Peters did apparently take swings at Pierce/Doubs/others so far in FA, but it also makes it more disappointing we haven't done more at the position other than sign slight upgrades to the off-the-street type guys we signed both early (Gallup/etc) and late (Chosen/Moore/etc) last year.

Exactly.

Notice that everyone here, those that want him and those that don't, have spent more time discussing Aiyuk than Oweh, Chaisson, Cross, Tunsil and Paul returning on new deals, Okonkwo, etc.

Aiyuk is not the key to the 2026 season regardless.

This team could ignore him completely and sign Diggs and Allen to one year deals and draft a WR at #7 or #71 or as part of a trade down and do quite well for itself in any event.

Daniels having McLaurin, Okonkwo, White and then these other veterans to throw to in addition to a younger draft pick is PLENTY to be productive this season.

The Patriots made it to the Super Bowl with ONLY Diggs. They didn't have a receiver on Terry's level.

Denver didn't have a franchise receiver or anyone close to it.

Even the Seahawks with JSN went out and put 33 year old Cooper Kupp next to him to go along with the speedy but limited Shaheed and went to the Super Bowl.

In the end that team focused on ball control and the running game as much as anything in the postseason.