The 2026 Free Agency Thread

[Riggo44]

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

I'm on board with the idea of bringing in Brandon Aiyuk. It won't be a large commitment and it's a good gamble IMO.

 

[36ST21]

I notice on twitter some fans pushing that they should sign Okudah. I looked at his PFF scores wow, his coverage scores are dead last in the NFL two seasons in a row, brutal.

Lions wasted a top pick on him. I am sure that Ron was ready to sprint to the podium if he had dropped.

 

[Dlts20]

I disagree. I think that people just both don't want to trade for his contract and don't want to trade for someone who seems to only want to be in Washington. As for SF not wanting him....

IMO, this video shows that this drama is not about the owner at all, like I suspected. This is about the snuck, bully in Lynch. He's doing all of this on his own because he's bitter. He doesn't even care about his understudy AP. We better not give them anymore deals and they will need us again

 

[heisenberg]

Lions wasted a top pick on him. I am sure that Ron was ready to sprint to the podium if he had dropped.

Rivera was one of only 2 gm's who passed on him.

 

[Riggo44]

Okudah was the Joe Burrow/Chase Young draft.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Listening to Grant and Danny debate, what we do on the Jayden weapons issues.

Danny has my take. He didn't say it like this exactly but I'll take his point and expound it with mine -- feels like their had big ambitions to help Jayden, and now that its not quite working out, they are rationalizing why they don't need to.

Grant has the take of if Jayden is elite he should elevate the cast. And he doesn't need a great cast. It's sort of Bram's take, too. Grant cites Mahomes in KC. Danny's comeback to it, fits my thought which is the dude isn't Mahomes, yet, don't put that kind of pressure on a young QB.

 

[Dlts20]

 

[Riggo44]

That dude sounds like the San Fransisco version of The Screaming Idiot.

 

[Dlts20]

2 things again I disagree about is that the teammates and staff loved him so he is not a team obliterator in that sense. That's the big thing that would concern me and that has never been the case.

2nd is that the players union did want to fight for him and challenge it. These guys are supposed to be in the know but don't even know these things. Ayuik told them not to challenge it because if he won, he would have to stay in SF under contract and he wanted to leave. He thought that they were going to release him by now.


Either way, June 1st is here in a month and mandatory miniicamp is June 9th so we will have all the answers by then. We will see if he's released after the 1st and if not, does he show up to miniicamp to force their hands or give them more leverage for being able to keep him into the season without his bonus

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

Regarding Jennings, something to consider: Peters knows him. Peters has been aggressive at getting guys he knows who can help. He traded a 5th for Deebo last year. I really think that if Peters thought Jennings was worth it, they would have gotten a deal done somehow, unless Jennings is just asking for insane money.

Peter's track record is that he does like to bring in guys who he knows, at least to fill depth spots. Jennings would fit that bill. Yet no Jennings.

And the entire league has passed this guy over.

AND his old team, the 49ers, didn't want him back. They didn't really want to pay him last year, and they won't pay him this year.

Maybe, just maybe, the league knows something we don't. It would be one thing if it was just us. But it's every team. And he went to Minnesota and left without a contract.

Maybe it's him, not us.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

I think we have to just assume Aiyuk's career is over until it's not. I never thought he was going to be anything other than a lottery ticket anyway.

If the 49ers can get out of paying him the bonus in September because he's on the Did Not Report list, then there is actually no end in sight for this saga. Peters clearly doesn't want to trade for him. Personally, I'd be fine with a 6th for 7th swap + Aiyuk if they thought he would actually be helpful. And assuming the entire contract is wiped out and re-done.

Otherwise, I think we just have to assume he's done in the NFL until he isn't.

I kindof think Peters is thinking that way also.

 

[ES1974]

The fact we’re hanging on a move for Aiyuk says it all.

Go get another receiver AP.

Depth CB too.

 

[Riggo44]

It's been repeatedly stated by Keim and others that in no way are we banking on Aiyuk as anything but a wild card, one-year prove it deal. In no way are we banking on him.

 

[Dlts20]

Happy to hear the zone running game confirmed. I also think listening to DQ and AP, they are very much open to Williams playing a lot of Z "if necessary"., I think they truly feel like he could possibly be our #2 on the outside but will just move him inside and outside since the slot is big in the Ben Johnson offense.

Today I think that he's our starting Z in the 2wr sets and moves to the slot in the 3 wide. That's why they aren't in a rush to sign anyone because they are comfortable with him as the #2 guy unless he shows otherwise. Ayuik is the cherry on top so they aren't in a rush to get him.

 

[skinsinparadise]

 

[clskinsfan]

Dont really get excited over the prospect of Jennings coming here. His career numbers are pretty abysmal if we are being honest. He isnt a separator. Which is what I think we need.

 

[skinsinparadise]

The Ravens actually have drafted their share of WRs, TEs, and signed Henry. But alas for them they are bad at drafting WRs.

But agree Grant, suck it up Jayden, let those sucker other teams with young QBs load up with weapons, Jayden as a grizzeled veteran should carry the team on his back.

 

[Dlts20]

TBF, despite the nfc championship appearance, we had further to go than those teams, roster wise. Again, we had the worst defense in the league for the most part.

Those other didn't have to address as much on D as us and the Bears already had stacked skill players. That's why people were asking if Caleb was setup to succeed more than any #1 pick in history.

NE had one of the best defenses in the league. We replaced a million guys on D and we still think that we are short in the secondary

 

[burgold]

So, if they're right and Williams can be an effective Z/slot then we probably have 5/6 weapon positions settled. That's not so bad.

WR 1 McLaurin
WR 2 Williams. Burks. Dyami
WR 3 Williams, McCaffrey. Lane.
TE Chig. Sinnott, Bates,
RB Bill. Fat Man. White. Ford.

The scary thing is, they have to be right and they're putting a lot of weight on a third round rookie. The other question really is, if they do put Williams at the Z can they trust one of McCaffrey, Lane, or Burks as a mostly full time slot. Mind you, I think what we're really describing is "positionless" wide receivers where any of the guys other than McLaurin may wind up setting in any position. Now, if they're wrong and Williams takes a year to get up to speed or just isn't who they think he is then we really have McLaurin and a bunch of JAGS.