The 2026 Free Agency Thread

[skinsinparadise]

in other words, worse case we are going to have the version of WR by committee with position flex. You might not think much of a Dyami Brown or a Von Jefferson or Luke McCaffrey.

But, they are going to know the system and be able to play all spots -- X, Y, Z. And we are excited about that.

I made this comment before that a beat guy asked a source with the team during last season why is Chris Moore continuing to play X Wr considering his struggles and their answer was he was the only one who knew how to run the X receiver routes aside from Terry.

So this time they will be better prepared with an uninspiring group but at least its not a pathetic group and they can interchange unlike last season.

Again that's worst case scenario. And I agree that scenario is unlikely going to happen. But I don't love Quinn's explantation because to me it comes off like hey if we ride with what we got its not that bad. IMO, heck yes its bad.

 

[Dlts20]

I still think that they feel like there is a 99 percent chance that they will add Aiyuk so there is some comfort in that. Still, we just won't know enough until we see how the draft plays out

 

[ES1974]

Again that's worst case scenario. And I agree that scenario is unlikely going to happen. But I don't love Quinn's explantation because to me it comes off like hey if we ride with what we got its not that bad. IMO, heck yes its bad.

The sum is greater than the parts, was that a DQ line ? I mean, I get his approach to things and that gets you positive results, but all this fluff he churns out only gets you so far, right.

We need a significant upgrade at WR. In fact we need two.

 

[skinsinparadise]

The sum is greater than the parts, was that a DQ line ? I mean, I get his approach to things and that gets you positive results, but all this fluff he churns out only gets you so far, right.

We need a significant upgrade at WR. In fact we need two.

The way I took that line is him seeing the current room, knowing it isn't hot but at least the backups are good -- and if the backups become starters its not as pathetic as last year.

Personally, I think as it currently is, its just as pathetic as last year, its just a different form of it. Their starting lineup as it is right now IMO is the worst in the NFL aside from Miami. Their backups are somewhere in the middle -- 16th or so, the backups are now ok -- last year their backups IMO were the worst in the NFL.

I am expecting this all to change. But I don't love Quinn's spin on the current lineup because I don't want them to convince themselves its OK.

 

[ES1974]

I am expecting this all to change. But I don't love Quinn's spin on the current lineup because I don't want them to convince themselves it’s OK.

I feel like that could be a failing of both Quinn and Peters to be honest, but I’ll try to remain positive that we will acquire a few more quality pieces this offseason.

 

[NickyJ]

Going through the offseason with an attitude of "I don't need to ask anyone on a date to the party, I'll go with friend's partner because they'll break up before the party" is unbelievable arrogance. Especially when they say it out loud to the entire room.

 

[HTTR]

I mean, these are the guys on the roster right now… Did people expect Quinn to just shit on them? Of course he’s going to be supportive of the players we have, especially young guys who are still developing. We all know an upgrade is warranted and they are working on it.

 

[skinsinparadise]

I mean, these are the guys on the roster right now… Did people expect Quinn to just shit on them? Of course he’s going to be supportive of the players we have, especially young guys who are still developing. We all know an upgrade is warranted and they are working on it.

I don't expect him to shit on them. But I don't like a sweeping generalization about how the whole room could end up working and selling the how it would. Quinn seemed to expound his point and dive into it. He's honest sometimes to a fault.

So him selling how this could work -- sounded honest. And it would be one thing if this is a new game for this regime how to deal with a mediocre WR room and make the best of it -- but its nothing new, its how they lived so far. So them explaining a new variation of how this could work doesn't feel out of place. It's been their song so far.

What do I personally think they are thinking? My best guess is:

A. they want to sign Aiyuk. they are willing to ride what's next on that and if it doesn't happen so be it and there is always a chance they can take a WR in the draft. So the odds of something being added are good.
B. They are riding McCaffrey and Lane in the slot -- Quinn doubled down on that in the interview.
C. They have sold themselves if what's next doesn't happen -- No Aiyuk, no Tate, etc, its going to be fine and hence we got Quinn explanation for how it will be fine.

Sort of like hey you want to eat at a high end restaurant, lets do it, if we get there and the place is full -- no problem the local pizzeria is fine, we will have a couple of slices and a coke and it will all be fine, too.

 

[skinsinparadise]

I feel like that could be a failing of both Quinn and Peters to be honest, but I’ll try to remain positive that we will acquire a few more quality pieces this offseason.

I am mostly positive.

But it feels like they got a specific plan.

A. They are comfotable riding with McCaffrey and Lane at the slot. Yawn. It could work out but I am betting on meh
B. So Z is the mystery spot. It would be either Aiyuk or Tate or maybe name that third round WR -- but heck if that doesn't flow, we are in no panic, we can do it with Burks-Von Jefferson-Dyami
C. If Terry gets hurt -- Von Jefferson and Dyami will be ready so its not as pathetic as last year.

It's kind of a meh at best plan. It's predicated on some luck.

A. Aiyuk becomes free and he finds his form back

or

B. Tate is there at 7 and that flows with BPA

The odds are pretty low that a third rounder becomes the solution at Z. So arguably slot is weaker than last season. Deebo >> McCaffrey=Lane. Z I guess is a little better. And the backup to Terry is better.

But to me listening to Quinn, it felt like he was giving an explanation of heck even worse case senario, Aiyuk doesn't sign here and or Tate isn't drafted here, its not bad -- here's how he sees it working out. And for me, that would be round 3 of them rationalzing their crap situation at WR -- 3 years in a row. So i am banking and hoping they sign Aiyuk because otherwise I don't think this is much better than their pathetic 2025 WR room.

And yeah if lets say worst case scenario plays out at WR, and the season doesn't live up to expectations, I do think their lackluster work at WR could be what does them in.

 

[skinsinparadise]

 

[COWBOY-KILLA]

Its clearly a $/performance issue with Biadasz. I'm totally fine with it.

About the WR's though, Talent wins in this league and we still don't have enough of it, that is for dam sure. I wouldnt rely on Aiyuk in any way as an answer more so as a bonus.
I would definitely sign Jennings or Draft Tate, preferably Jennings and sign Aiyuk in addition to.

 

[RWJ]

Just reading up on Leo Chenal wearing the "green dot" at LB in 2021. I believe if I am reading it correctly, the Badgers had the #1 overall D that year. For now, I'd expect him to be the caller on D. Unless Downs is the pick at #7, I'd expect he wins the job as the caller of Jone's D this year.

 

[DWinzit]

The way I took that line is him seeing the current room, knowing it isn't hot but at least the backups are good -- and if the backups become starters its not as pathetic as last year.

Personally, I think as it currently is, its just as pathetic as last year, its just a different form of it. Their starting lineup as it is right now IMO is the worst in the NFL aside from Miami. Their backups are somewhere in the middle -- 16th or so, the backups are now ok -- last year their backups IMO were the worst in the NFL.

I am expecting this all to change. But I don't love Quinn's spin on the current lineup because I don't want them to convince themselves its OK.

I really can't believe we are where we are at WR right now after what we went through last year. I mean, of all the positions, WR again, really?

Feels like AP has miscalculated on Pierce, Aiyuk/Kyle, Jennings, and possibly Doubs and Shaheed among others. Any one of those guys would have us in a good place comparably to our current state

 

[burgold]

For some reason, I think Lane might be pretty good at the Deebo role. Give him a short pass in space and let him wiggle and run. Deebo is a tank and Lane should be a jitterbug, but same idea. Wasn't that what got Lane noticed in college?

 

[DWinzit]

I get all he said but it turns out, what might have been best for the team was to hold onto him a little while longer.

 

[burgold]

I really can't believe we are where we are at WR right now after what we went through last year. I mean, of all the positions, WR again, really?

Feels like AP has miscalculated on Pierce, Aiyuk/Kyle, Jennings, and possibly Doubs and Shaheed among others. Any one of those guys would have us in a good place comparably to our current state

I don't think this is the plan. I think they made an honest try for Pierce and a semi-honest try for Doubs. When they couldn't land their favored receivers they decided to go all in on defense which I guess was their Plan B. Now, I do think they have hope of grabbing someone after the draft. I just think Peters is too disciplined to "shop while hungry." He doesn't want to overpay and regret it down the line.

 

[ntotoro]

So... what do you all think about the CB, Center and WR positions? I haven't seen much...

 

[Dah-Dee]

So... what do you all think about the CB, Center and WR positions? I haven't seen much...

 

[DWinzit]

I don't think this is the plan. I think they made an honest try for Pierce and a semi-honest try for Doubs. When they couldn't land their favored receivers they decided to go all in on defense which I guess was their Plan B. Now, I do think they have hope of grabbing someone after the draft. I just think Peters is too disciplined to "shop while hungry." He doesn't want to overpay and regret it down the line.

It's one thing to not shop while hungry, it's another to go to bed on an empty stomach.

We went hungry last year I sure hope we aren't again this year but we are very hungry

 

[Kalu44]

I am mostly positive.

But it feels like they got a specific plan.

A. They are comfotable riding with McCaffrey and Lane at the slot. Yawn. It could work out but I am betting on meh
B. So Z is the mystery spot. It would be either Aiyuk or Tate or maybe name that third round WR -- but heck if that doesn't flow, we are in no panic, we can do it with Burks-Von Jefferson-Dyami
C. If Terry gets hurt -- Von Jefferson and Dyami will be ready so its not as pathetic as last year.

It's kind of a meh at best plan. It's predicated on some luck.

A. Aiyuk becomes free and he finds his form back

or

B. Tate is there at 7 and that flows with BPA

The odds are pretty low that a third rounder becomes the solution at Z. So arguably slot is weaker than last season. Deebo >> McCaffrey=Lane. Z I guess is a little better. And the backup to Terry is better.

But to me listening to Quinn, it felt like he was giving an explanation of heck even worse case senario, Aiyuk doesn't sign here and or Tate isn't drafted here, its not bad -- here's how he sees it working out. And for me, that would be round 3 of them rationalzing their crap situation at WR -- 3 years in a row. So i am banking and hoping they sign Aiyuk because otherwise I don't think this is much better than their pathetic 2025 WR room.

And yeah if lets say worst case scenario plays out at WR, and the season doesn't live up to expectations, I do think their lackluster work at WR could be what does them in.

Don’t forget about Burks. Maybe they are higher on him than we know. He looked decent in his limited time here thus far.