The 2026 Free Agency Thread

[method man]

Well, that would be stupid.

I wouldn’t put it past them. They are the guys who gave us the 2025 corps after all

I’ve been a broken record on this but history shows you a receiver #71 isn’t going to help very much in 2026. We already have a bunch of WR3/WR4 types. Need a ready made WR2, which we can only get in FA at this point

 

[KDawg]

I wouldn’t put it past them. They are the guys who gave us the 2025 corps after all

I’ve been a broken record on this but history shows you a receiver #71 isn’t going to help very much in 2026. We already have a bunch of WR3/WR4 types. Need a ready made WR2, which we can only get in FA at this point

There are some receivers that I believe could make an immediate impact left on the board.

I’m not sure any of them are still on the board at 71.

 

[Bulldog]

No, I am resigned now to the fact we are going to sign a geezer after the draft to play WR for one season.

Then in 2027 you are going to see a complete redo of the wide receiver room with the likely departure of Terry McLaurin and the need to take a receiver with the #1 pick.

Then we will also sign a speedster in free agency.

So, to me it's likely we do at WR in 2027 what we did at EDGE in the offseason this year - grab multiple players and clean house.

 

[KDawg]

No, I am resigned now to the fact we are going to sign a geezer after the draft to play WR for one season.

Then in 2027 you are going to see a complete redo of the wide receiver room with the likely departure of Terry McLaurin and the need to take a receiver with the #1 pick.

Then we will also sign a speedster in free agency.

So, to me it's likely we do at WR in 2027 what we did at EDGE in the offseason this year - grab multiple players and clean house.

But we’ll still have a vocal portion of the fanbase, and perhaps the FO that says, “I don’t know, corner is a huge need!” And we’ll pass on receiver there, too.

We really need two high firsts. Let’s trade for an extra one…

Only one issue with that plan…

We don’t have anything remotely capable of getting another first…

*sigh*

 

[burgold]

I was just texting with gbear and told him I am really uncomfortable with Aiyuk being the plan. It's hard to maintain that on the field edge after being out for two years. As a flyer, I like the pick up. As a penned-in starter, I don't have confidence it'll work out.

 

[BayouBrave86]

I was devastated to hear that the Lions signed #1 FA WR target Greg Dortch over a month ago.


😂

 

[Anselmheifer]

I don’t remember which podcast, but one of these reliable NFL beat guys said that teams had been calling Houston about Nico Collins, because he’s unhappy with his contract, which goes through next year.

We’ve already done solid business with Houston. I’d love to pull another Laremy Tunsil.

McLaurin, Collin’s, Williams, and Okonkwo would be a sick position group.

 

[heisenberg]

I don’t remember which podcast, but one of these reliable NFL beat guys said that teams had been calling Houston about Nico Collins, because he’s unhappy with his contract, which goes through next year.

We’ve already done solid business with Houston. I’d love to pull another Laremy Tunsil.

McLaurin, Collin’s, Williams, and Okonkwo would be a sick position group.

They came out today and completely shot that down.

Sometimes teams say one thing and do another but they gave the impression that there's zero chance they're trading collins.

 

[Anselmheifer]

They came out today and completely shot that down.

Sometimes teams say one thing and do another but they gave the impression that there's zero chance they're trading collins.

I mean, they have control this year and next and could just franchise him for a 3rd. I wouldn’t trade him either.

 

[clskinsfan]

I think the appeal is that Jayden trusts him

This is everything right here. People are underestimating their friendship. Aiyuk is a pro bowl WR in the NFL. People worrying about his abilities are crazy imo. He was healthy enough to play the second half of last season. But San Fran took his bonus away and he said FU.

 

[heisenberg]

But San Fran took his bonus away and he said FU.

This is the part that I think is getting overlooked a little.

Yes Brandon did some very unprofessional things during rehab but when it was over and he was ready to return the niners took all his guarantees away.

Im not saying they didn't have the right but what did they expect after that, he would just go right back to playing and risking his health with no guaranteed money?

Of course it was going to get ugly after that, its why I cant understand why they didn't immediately release him the second he agreed not to contest the voiding of his guaranteed money.

 

[actorguy1]

 

[burgold]

What a bleep

 

[burgold]

To do list.

I still think we need one more starter-capable wide receiver. I'd love to see another DB signing or two (corner or safety.)

Oh, and whoever was the best leg in the UFL ought to be brought in to compete.

 

[skinsinparadise]

 

[heisenberg]

Because he doesn't have to, he knows at this point he's not getting anything.
Aiyuk really screwed himself by not demanding his release in exchange for not contesting the guarantees.

I hope he shows up to mini camp wearing nothing but a speedo thong, and spends every waking moment as the biggest distraction ever.

Thats what id do, im like John Cusack from the jack bull when I feel I've been wronged.

 

[Bulldog]

Right now I would rather have Keenan Allen on this team for 2026.

He was healthy and played in 2025 and caught 81 balls. He's been a consistent producer for 10 years.

Talent is important but reliability and consistency is as well, especially when you are looking at veteran DEPTH.

We are not talking about giving any veteran WR the keys to the kingdom as they are currently with Terry and may be with a #1 pick after next season.

The less drama we get in the offseason the best for everyone involved.

I am not interested in waiting until training camp to see what John Lynch does in his campaign of revenge and vengeance against Aiyuk and Aiyuk's rather erratic behavior in the past.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

The question on Jennings now, when is going to sign.

Somebody might go to him now and see if he’ll take an offer. But it seems like you’re negotiating somewhat against yourself, there isn’t a real competition for his services.

Is he going to take an offer he refused 2-3 months ago now?

Or is he going to be stubborn and continue to hold to what he thinks his value is (and clearly isn’t) and hope to get a better deal in training camp when some team gets desperate due to injury or they realize their WR group is poop on a stick?

He’s been a tough guy to negotiate with so far. I don’t actually see that changing.

And while I would pay him decent money, I wouldn’t pay him ridiculous money.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

And in no way am I doing squat with Aiyuk as part is any plan.

If he ends up here to try and rehabilitate his career, fine.

Hell, what nighttime actually happen is he gets released in September by the 49ers and we sign him to the practice squad to kick the tires. If he’s the pre-injury Aiyuk, then he gets elevated and a new deal and plays. If he’s isn’t, he stays on the PS or is released.

The longer this goes, the more likely that becomes.

 

[Bulldog]

The question on Jennings now, when is going to sign.

Somebody might go to him now and see if he’ll take an offer. But it seems like you’re negotiating somewhat against yourself, there isn’t a real competition for his services.

Is he going to take an offer he refused 2-3 months ago now?

Or is he going to be stubborn and continue to hold to what he thinks his value is (and clearly isn’t) and hope to get a better deal in training camp when some team gets desperate due to injury or they realize their WR group is poop on a stick?

He’s been a tough guy to negotiate with so far. I don’t actually see that changing.

And while I would pay him decent money, I wouldn’t pay him ridiculous money.

IMO he's going to wait and see if a team has a starting WR that gets hurt in the offseason program and then tries to use that leverage into getting close to what he wanted before the draft.