The 2026 Free Agency Thread

[Anselmheifer]

Is that an official account? Signing incoming?

 

[heisenberg]

Is that an official account? Signing incoming?

I think it means they're going to announce the numbers our free agents are going to wear next year but I definitely could be mistaken about that.

 

[Anselmheifer]

I think it means they're going to announce the numbers our free agents are going to wear next year but I definitely could be mistaken about that.

Ugh. I’ve worked a million hours the last 4 days and am 2 drinks in. That makes sense.

Also, that was nobody’s top worry. How about we find WR #2?

 

[Always Commander Never Captain]

So Jordan MaGee did play 40% of snaps most of the season. It's not like the team doesn't know what he's capable of. I do think he's got more potential to be a quality starter...but not Sonny Styles potential.

I have no problem with how the Wagner/Magee/Luvu situation played out. Wagner hit that milestone he was desperate for (appeals to veterans), we still got a good look at Magee, now we know for sure what assignments Luvu can't do, and it helped us lose a game or two to get #7 and grab Sonny Styles with unreal potential.

The owner has most of his assets in Sports Teams and Private Equity related endeavors. I don't know if anyone here has read about current issues with Private Equity. But some of his assets (if he's part of that affected group) could be harder to borrow against. Like really problematic. Or he could be fine, I don't know how exposed he is or isn't.

We did offer Alec Pierce the best deal. But he chose a slightly lesser deal because he's apparently now best friends with Daniel Jones and they want to run it back.

I'm in the camp that we did not do enough to help Jayden Daniels, by far. The only caveat is Kliff Kingsbury. This might be misguided by them, but there's a real chance the team thinks Kliff wasnt just getting worse as an OC in Year 2, but was actually a below average OC. They might think a better OC just does better with schemes game to game and play calling to get more out of all of these guys.

Even if that's true about how they think about Kliff...I still wish they had done more on offense. They find themselves in a pickle, because they are banking so much on what's unproven. It is a large gamble.

 

[Dlts20]

DQ can see for himself that Wagner is aging and what it does to his ability to cover. If Magee is as good as you hope, Quinn would plan around using him this season instead of drafting a linebacker with his first overall pick.

The team is passing on other available WRs who could immediately help this team. If Aiyuk doesn't pan out, the team would have wasted their time waiting for someone who can't help. You are satisfied with that risk because you trust the FO's valuing of Aiyuk. I again say that if you trust their ability to evaluate a WR who isn't on the team and hasn't played football in 2 years, then you should have a very easy time trusting their ability to evaluate a player who was handpicked by them, practices in front of them, and plays in front of them for the past 2 years.

Everyone keeps saying that but the reports were that we were drafting Delane. Teams know what each other are doing and KC jumped up right in front of us to take Delane but you and KDawg seem to forget that now.

So you are going to just force words into my mouth now. I have not said anything about trusting this front office or DQ. Infact, if we suck again then both should probably be gone

 

[NickyJ]

Everyone keeps saying that but the reports were that we were drafting Delane. Teams know what each other are doing and KC jumped up right in front of us to take Delane but you and KDawg seem to forget that now.

So you are going to just force words into my mouth now. I have not said anything about trusting this front office or DQ. Infact, if we suck again then both should probably be gone

I didn't forget it. It is immaterial. If Magee was a promising linebacker, the team wouldn't be interested in taking a linebacker when it already has Luvu and Chenal and Magee. They took Styles because they felt a third, highly rated linebacker would bring good value. If Magee had great value in their eyes, they could have spent that pick on any other needs. But they didn't, and now he is 4th on the linebacker list.

As for putting words in your mouth, my mistake. When I read you saying that you think the FO is like you and thinks that Aiyuk is icing on the cake, I took that to mean you feel that if Aiyuk doesn't pan out, it's okay because the team will be fine without him and the risk of missing other players who would help would be worth it. Same for when you said that you are banking on the team knowing how Aiyuk is doing. I took it to mean that you trust their belief in him.

I think that they are like me and don't really care that much because they see him as icing on the cake. I think they already feel solid with the group, the system makes guys look better than they are due to the scheme creating open receivers. Chig is also going to be huge. I think they feel like if Aiyuk is out of shape, they can get him right for a second half run. They also clearly believe in the guys in house more than others. They just aren't number ones and Terry was hurt while Ertz was old. With Terry, Chig, and Williams, those other guys will automatically look better

Basically you can't play everyone. If you bring someone in then you are basically giving up on Luke, Dyami, etc. They still like those guys. Theyve seen Dyami average 90 yards over 2 games in the playoffs and Luke finally looking solid. They have confidence. Also, Aiyuk may cost more than people think. He's only going to get a one year deal and he wants to make some of his guarantees back. I could see him costing twice as much as people think, if he's in shape. Teams with cap space will take a one year flyer on him

Perfect way to sum it up. And to think that they already have Jefferson and Addison but still wanted to add more. I'm banking on them again knowing where Aiyuk is at and that AP is still a great terms with Kyle and Lynch so he knows the time table. That has to be true.......... Right?

 

[Dlts20]

I didn't forget it. It is immaterial. If Magee was a promising linebacker, the team wouldn't be interested in taking a linebacker when it already has Luvu and Chenal and Magee. They took Styles because they felt a third, highly rated linebacker would bring good value. If Magee had great value in their eyes, they could have spent that pick on any other needs. But they didn't, and now he is 4th on the linebacker list.

As for putting words in your mouth, my mistake. When I read you saying that you think the FO is like you and thinks that Aiyuk is icing on the cake, I took that to mean you feel that if Aiyuk doesn't pan out, it's okay because the team will be fine without him and the risk of missing other players who would help would be worth it. Same for when you said that you are banking on the team knowing how Aiyuk is doing. I took it to mean that you trust their belief in him.

They took Sonny because he was by far the BPA. It's not rocket science and just because they like Magee doesn't mean that you don't take someone who is seen as a upgrade. They would still take Sonny over Wagner also. The point is not thatt MaGee is Fred Warner. It's simply did he give you a better opportunity to win than the slowest LB in the league.

What does me saying what the front office thinks or believes has to do with me supporting them? I want Aiyuk for myself. I don't even care about the front office I want to gamble on a potential Superstar at a bargain price, even if it flat out fails. It's well worth the risk.

I was the one who said that I would definitely draft McCoy in the later rounds and stash him for a year because his superstar potential in the later rounds is worth the pick. I feel like the Raiders may have gotten a top 10 player and maybe the best defensive player in the draft at 101. I'm swinging for that every time even if he never does anything.

So yes I want 28yo former all pro at our biggest position of need for pennies on the dollar even if it' crashes and burns. I'm always going to go for the game winner because if it hits then it completely changes your franchise and again, Im a Diggs fan and like the other receivers. Aiyuk has the most potential if it pans out so that's who I am going with.

Again, this is what I am shooting for:

 

[KDawg]

Everyone keeps saying that but the reports were that we were drafting Delane. Teams know what each other are doing and KC jumped up right in front of us to take Delane but you and KDawg seem to forget that now.

So you are going to just force words into my mouth now. I have not said anything about trusting this front office or DQ. Infact, if we suck again then both should probably be gone

I fail to see why that is relevant. It was also fairly widely reported that if Styles was on the board he was our guy 100%, no matter what. The only conflicting report was potentially Love.

 

[skinsinparadise]

I fail to see why that is relevant. It was also fairly widely reported that if Styles was on the board he was our guy 100%, no matter what. The only conflicting report was potentially Love.

Yeah the one thing the local media including Keim and the national media agreed on was Styles was their guy, him and Love. But they didn't think they'd drop to 7. Keim was the dude harping on Delane but said not over Styles.

On draft day, G and D did a segment with most of the local media making picks and Keim picked Styles to this team.

 

[skinsinparadise]

On an side PFF isn't the be all and end all, granted.

they gave MaGee a 54 grade, that's slightly below average for his play last year.

Wagner got a 78.

Chenal got a 75.

 

[DWinzit]

Yeah I always thought the pecking order was Styles, Love, Delane based on most reports with some flipping Styles and Love.

Of course there was ever any true confirmation

 

[DWinzit]

On an side PFF isn't the be all and end all, granted.

they gave MaGee a 54 grade, that's slightly below average for his play last year.

Wagner got a 78.

Chenal got a 75.

Another reason why McGee should have been allowed to get most of these time on the field late in the season, he needed all the reps he could get

 

[Boone]

I'm not sure why we've spent thousands of words on whether or not giving Magee more playing time was warranted or a mistake. In my experience, great players make it impossible not to start them - I think that's what KDawg is leaning into. Would it be hard to bench a guy of Wagner's stature? Sure. But these coaches are trying to save their jobs. I think the idea that they'd refrain from making major changes because they didn't want to insult a player is probably hard to support. They let both coordinators go - one of whom was at worst above average in terms of his unit's production. They haven't shied away from making hard decisions.

One comment Dlts20 - I'm going to push back hard on your statement that NFL teams know what the other teams are going to do in the NFL draft - because other than maybe the first couple of picks where QB is almost always involved, they absolutely do NOT know what other teams are going to do. That's why a guy like Sonny Styles (who many analysts did not expect to be available at 7) was there for us. Carnell Tate went much earlier than I saw just about anyone predicting. The teams don't know with any degree of certainty. And as to Delane - hasn't there been discussion that Washington putting it out there that they loved Delane and that he might well be the pick at 7 was a calculated disinformation campaign to achieve exactly what happened? I don't know what's true and what's not, but that's definitely been put out theres...

 

[skinsinparadise]

Yeah I always thought the pecking order was Styles, Love, Delane based on most reports with some flipping Styles and Love.

Of course there was ever any true confirmation

There is never of course a way to know for sure. But pretty much everyone I trust said Styles and Love.

Another reason why McGee should have been allowed to get most of these time on the field late in the season, he needed all the reps he could get

Agree. But they wanted to win sadly right through that final game -- so if Wagner was the better player, he got the reps. But Quinn isn't unique on this front.

The whole idea of training camp is to do three things:

A. Prepare the team for the season -- conditioning
B. Learn the playbook
C. Camp and preseason competition -- impress the heck out of the brass

Bonus -- show that you have the intangibles, preperation, putting in extra time. For example I heard Ekeler even though was a veteran, spent time after practice working on things while Brian Robinson would hardly ever do that.

Terry killed it as a rookie in practice on and off the field in camp.

If players are awesome on and off the field it rarely goes unnoticed. So when people are worried about things like McCaffrey not getting enough playtime during the season for example and we might miss on a secret superstar -- that's unlikely, especially when you got three Springs and summers to show off.

 

[DWinzit]

The staff talked up McGee since he was drafted and spoke of their belief in him running the D. Was it just trumped up talk or legit, who knows. If Styles hadn't fallen to them it is quite possible McGee would have been counted to where the green dot like suggested. That's why I won't be convinced he should not have been starting in place of Wagner once it was apparent the season had turned to crap.

We will see quickly if Luke indeed has dramatically improved or if he is a jag and KO Returner. Same will go for Lane and Burks too, are they jags or players. If the team were to sign a Diggs and a healthy good Aiyuk, then at least one of those 3 will not be on the roster. There is a lot of competition for WR456

 

[Boone]

There is a certain dynamic in the NFL where fans of teams in 'lost seasons' call for the coaches to put all of their 'question marks' out there to get experience and some clarity on whether they will develop or not. But it almost never happens. Coaches don't ever give up on a season - because their very jobs rely on wins and losses, not 'development'. There are probably times where a GM gets involved and says 'I want you to get 'player x' out on the field so we can determine what we have in him' - but I think that's probably not a frequent occurrence because coaches hate having a GM dictating who should play or not.

Not to overstate it - but coaches are highly motivated to win every game they can. They aren't concerned with 'development' the way fans are, because in many cases putting those players out there doesn't improve the odds of winning a particular game, and they are heavily incentivized to win as many games as possible to prevent getting them and their entire staff fired.

 

[skinsinparadise]

The staff talked up McGee since he was drafted and spoke of their belief in him running the D. Was it just trumped up talk or legit, who knows. If Styles hadn't fallen to them it is quite possible McGee would have been counted to where the green dot like suggested. That's why I won't be convinced he should not have been starting in place of Wagner once it was apparent the season had turned to crap.

We will see quickly if Luke indeed has dramatically improved or if he is a jag and KO Returner. Same will go for Lane and Burks too, are they jags or players. If the team were to sign a Diggs and a healthy good Aiyuk, then at least one of those 3 will not be on the roster. There is a lot of competition for WR456

They were hot about him when they drafted him. But it feels like its cooled off. I don't hear the beat guys (unless I missed it) say stuff hey they hear from the people they talk to at the team that they are so high on McGee. I haven't heard the opposite either that they are down on him.

But clearly they didn't feel satisfied witth just Luvu and McGee.

 

[burgold]

I'm sure it's a bit of that, but it's also probably levels. Maybe in their minds Magee could turn into a fine starter. A solid guy with some upside speed. Then, they look at the draft and see a guy who looks to have All Pro potential. You don't take the All Pro off your board because you have a guy you feel fine about on the roster. It's really the same narrative that turned me around on Love. I think Bill can be a good starter and better than a solid guy in a running back committee. The way SIP, KDawg and others talked about him was that Love might be Barry Sanders or Marshall Faulk. Maybe even better. So, even though I liked Bill and am comfortable with him being our lead back going into 2026 I got excited by the prospect of Love. I will take the chance at an all time great even if I have good already on the roster.

 

[HOF44]

Another player they are always talking up is Quan. But there are many plays he just looks totally lost. Don’t get the teams love for him.

 

[KDawg]

I'm sure it's a bit of that, but it's also probably levels. Maybe in their minds Magee could turn into a fine starter. A solid guy with some upside speed. Then, they look at the draft and see a guy who looks to have All Pro potential. You don't take the All Pro off your board because you have a guy you feel fine about on the roster. It's really the same narrative that turned me around on Love. I think Bill can be a good starter and better than a solid guy in a running back committee. The way SIP, KDawg and others talked about him was that Love might be Barry Sanders or Marshall Faulk. Maybe even better. So, even though I liked Bill and am comfortable with him being our lead back going into 2026 I got excited by the prospect of Love. I will take the chance at an all time great even if I have good already on the roster.

Absolutely. They got Chenal and Styles because he’s not some all pro waiting to happen. But that doesn’t mean he’s bad. Let him develop. See what happens when his number gets called.

Depth is good.