The 2026 Free Agency Thread

[Discobob]

One thing you can say about this operation is that people like being here:

It's hard to measure the effect of a positive work environment. You can't win without talent, good decision making, and a bit of luck... but you sure as hell can lose with good talent on paper because the team can't get out of its own way.

I'm glad to be stacking years in the "post-Snyder" era where we are no longer the laughing stock of the league.

 

[Discobob]

I like the thought of bringing in guys Jayden has a rapport with but surrounding him with 3 of his old college teammates feels like something that has a chance to backfire.

Don't ask me why it just feels like a chemistry experiment that has as much chance of turning into plutonium as it does something sweet.

If we did bring in aiyuk, white and BTJ in one offseason it better work or the criticisms will write themselves.

While true, the other side of this coin is that it's a good sign that people actually want to play with Jayden.

No one was beating the door down to play with Carson Wentz, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Alex Smith, Sam Howell, etc.

edit: It is possible that Fitzpatrick's sheer animal magnetism was pulling players toward Washington until he hurt himself 🤷

 

[Dlts20]

Shoot, I'll take June 2nd. I was scared that SF was going to take it all the way to September. That's why I said that Aiyuk needs to show up to the camps if they try to do that and force their hands. Of course sooner is way better but anything is better than September. We need him in camp.

 

[bird_1972]

Shoot, I'll take June 2nd. I was scared that SF was going to take it all the way to September. That's why I said that Aiyuk needs to show up to the camps if they try to do that and force their hands. Of course sooner is way better but anything is better than September. We need him in camp.

Aiyuk has been out of football for over a year. I don't know why folks here seem to think he can make a big difference. Did we forget what just a lost offseason did to our WR1? I am leaning towards passing on Aiyuk.

Take either Love or Tate in the draft. Whoever falls to us.

 

[skinsinparadise]

50% of our roster is going to turn over again after this season, so is it really realistic that we’re ready to not sign outside FA’s in order to play the comp pick game? I don’t think we’re there yet unless we have a gangbusters 2026 draft and some less-expected 2024/2025 players really break out.

To get a comp pick for Payne, we’ve gotta basically restrain ourselves to only signing other teams’ cuts and late FA stragglers.

I really don’t think we’re there yet, with the amount of 1-year deals we’re still signing and how much roster turnover we’re still due to have. So I wouldn’t plan anything around it.

Plus I’m not sure I believe he’ll end up earning a 3rd round comp pick-eligible sized contract anyways. So even more risk there.

I am far from perfect at calling draft picks in advance but I think I nailed it with Payne back in that day. I thought he would be solid-good player, and would never reach greatness. He was a great athlete. But IMO there wasn't much in his play or anything that hit me reading about his intangibles where it felt like his future would be him turning to a great player.

Vita Vea, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Derwin James were great talents and their ceilings to me indicated they were capable of becoming superstars. Vea, and Fitzpatrick were taken before their pick. But Derwin James was still there. I mentioned this before but if I had to summarize why this team has been meh for a long time -- 1. QB. 2. Struggiling to find star players. I didn't hate the player but hated the pick -- not because I thought he'd be a bust, but wanted to shoot higher than going for solid.

Suter who does Sheehan's film reviews likes to say that Payne's motor is so hot and cold and for that reason he's not great for the culture and for Kinlaw's faults his motor is always hot. I don't know I haven't rewatched Payne this season.

But I do think moving away from Payne is turning a page from an era of drafting a number of busts and celebrating "solid" picks without hardly ever touching greatness in the draft -- exceptions being Trent and Jayden.

 

[ES1974]

But Derwin James was still there.

That one will sting you forever won’t it

 

[Dlts20]

Aiyuk has been out of football for over a year. I don't know why folks here seem to think he can make a big difference. Did we forget what just a lost offseason did to our WR1? I am leaning towards passing on Aiyuk.

Take either Love or Tate in the draft. Whoever falls to us.

It's actually been longer than that as he hasn't played since October of 2024. However, he was ready to play last year but SF wouldn't allow him.

The difference between the two is that Terry didn't sign and come to practice until August 27th where we played the Giants in week 1 on September 7th so he was only here for 10 days and then had to be full go. Terry was also our #1 receiver.

We are hoping to get Aiyuk in here by June 2nd which is well before training camp and over 3 months before the season kicks off. Aiyuk will be our #2 at best and a good chance he may be #3. Drafting Tate in no way stops me from wanting Aiyuk who even at his worst, is clearly better than anyone we currently have after Terry.

His time off may actually be a blessing as he will be as fully healed as possible compared to if it were just 10 months later or so. He's still put up some great numbers at his best and he had great chemistry with Jayden in college. He could really change our whole season if he hits and it will possibly be a bargain price for his talent.

 

[ES1974]

I can’t think of a single justification for keeping hold of Daron Payne. Makes no sense at all.

 

[Anselmheifer]

Why are we thinking June 2 for Aiyuk? It seems they have no reason to cut him before the season, at which point they have to pay him

 

[DWinzit]

That one will sting you forever won’t it

Lol, that one definitely struck SIP deeper than all other misses!

 

[Dah-Dee]

Why are we thinking June 2 for Aiyuk? It seems they have no reason to cut him before the season, at which point they have to pay him

If they designate Aiyuk for post-June 1 release, they'll save $6.3M on their cap this year, so they have some reason to do so - but whether that modest cap savings will outweigh the Lynch/Shanny/whoever's pettiness is debatable.

Aiyuk has a $9.6M roster due September 1, which is the latest I think this can possibly drag out. The $6.3M is already-paid bonus money distributed among multiple cap years; but the $9.6M is new money that I'd bet $9.6M they will never allow to become due.

 

[heisenberg]

Lol, that one definitely struck SIP deeper than all other misses!

What about Sam darnold winning the superbowl?

 

[Dlts20]

 

[RedWolf]

I can’t think of a single justification for keeping hold of Daron Payne. Makes no sense at all.

I'm sure he's going to ball out this year and then we are going to let him go. Why create another hole on the roster especially if we have the money to pay him.

 

[The Brotherhood]

re the Reaves quote, I remember that video where Rivera brought Jeremy into his office and let him know he made the Probowl. It was a really sincere awesome moment so I'm not 100% sure this statement is fair to previous staffs. Still, it's nice to hear.

"From the top down" - I think he feels it more comprehensively in this regime, which was a good qualifier from him

 

[Higskin]

Why are we thinking June 2 for Aiyuk? It seems they have no reason to cut him before the season, at which point they have to pay him

 

[Skinfanjon]

Whatever happened with the Aiyuk, it’s pretty clear that organization has every intention to stick it to him as much as they possibly can.

 

[DWinzit]

What about Sam darnold winning the superbowl?

I must say, I was always as much of a Sam basher as he was. Darnold has had an incredible coming of age

 

[turtle]

Ford didn't seem too interested in his question and answer period

 

[The Brotherhood]

Whatever happened with the Aiyuk, it’s pretty clear that organization has every intention to stick it to him as much as they possibly can.

Yeah that's looking pretty shabby & unprofessional by them, as free agency is in full swing....at least that's the perception - they might well say Aiyuk's been less than professional, but this is an NFL franchise we're talking about here, - should be above the low standard the player might be operating at?