The 2026 Free Agency Thread

[DWinzit]

I agree as to telegraphing.

I like Chig and pushed for him on the Fa thread but I am not certain they upgraded the TE room. It's just diifferent. Ertz wasn't sexy as a TE but he was Jayden's guy on third down and often in the red zone. lol, remember the championship game against Philly? Ertz was a one man gang. Also was considered the best leader on offense. I know Greg Cosell in his assesement of this roster wasn't impressed with the TE room. lol, I get he's quirky and wrong sometimes but Jay for whatever reason wasn't high on Chig.

Chig is a great YAC, more dynamic, and younger and more fun player. But I don't know if one dynamic is better than the other dynamic. I'd say TE room might be the same. Adding one dynamic to it, and losing another. If its about getting younger, it is younger, that's good.

Not sure the RB room is upgraded either comparing what they started with last year. No Rodriguez. No Ekeler. For Rashaad White who by the way got paid much less than what Rodriguez got with Jax. And the Fatman. Might look a little worse on paper IMO but I'd guess it's about the same.

I get the question with TE, I'd say I'm counting on Sinnott being used in the way we expected when he was over drafted.

Regarding the RB room, as great a player as Ekeler was, his health concerns always left him as a major question mark (like our WR issue lastt year counting on an oft injured downfield threat).
I am a big fan of White, I think Ford's abilities are ignored, I look forward to seeing Bill after all his off-season work and Fatman could give us a legit sort yardage RB along with a guy that can be a real workhorse back.

 

[skinsinparadise]

I get the question with TE, I'd say I'm counting on Sinnott being used in the way we expected when he was over drafted.

Regarding the RB room, as great a player as Ekeler was, his health concerns always left him as a major question mark (like our WR issue lastt year counting on an oft injured downfield threat).
I am a big fan of White, I think Ford's abilities are ignored, I look forward to seeing Bill after all his off-season work and Fatman could give us a legit sort yardage RB along with a guy that can be a real workhorse back.

Maybe as to Sinnott. I don't have a ton of faith in that happening based on just scuttlebutt and as I mentioned Sinnott's own interviews. I actually got more hope for their supposed liking for Cager. Now, he is already 29 and hasn't done much in his career but feels like the beat guys get more buzz about him than Sinnott. Am not ruling Sinnott out but to me he feels closer to a total wildcard versus counting on a big climb from him this season.

I like Ford, if he can find his 2024 form, but get a sense early on he might not even make the team. I like White, solid and I pushed him in the FA thread. But his 3.9 YPC is sort of meh. But good pass catcher. I just think there is no way we can say White, Ford >> Ekeler, Rodriguez. I think if anything its easier to say the reverse. But I am good with its about the same as for my take.

 

[Riggo44]

I like White, solid and I pushed him in the FA thread. But his 3.9 YPC is sort of meh.

Last two years has been a solid 4.3. Bucky Irving had 3.4 YPC last year, by contrast. He is underrated as a runner, I think.

 

[Commander Wraith]

Maybe as to Sinnott. I don't have a ton of faith in that happening based on just scuttlebutt and as I mentioned Sinnott's own interviews. I actually got more hope for their supposed liking for Cager. Now, he is already 29 and hasn't done much in his career but feels like the beat guys get more buzz about him than Sinnott. Am not ruling Sinnott out but to me he feels closer to a total wildcard versus counting on a big climb from him this season.

I like Ford, if he can find his 2024 form, but get a sense early on he might not even make the team. I like White, solid and I pushed him in the FA thread. But his 3.9 YPC is sort of meh. But good pass catcher. I just think there is no way we can say White, Ford >> Ekeler, Rodriguez. I think if anything its easier to say the reverse. But I am good with its about the same as for my take.

I don’t have much in the way of expectations for Sinnott, but I’m looking at him as more of a FB/HB and backup in-line TE. Going to be interesting to see how Blough utilizes that HB/FB role and if that role allows Sinnott to produce more.

As a sidenote, Blough’s got a lot on his plate no matter how you slice it, but I think the fact that he can pull from multiple successful guys with lots of schematic overlap (Shanahan, McVay, Johnson and O’Connell) is both promising and helpful. I think that could also help with finding roles for different guys based on their strengths/weaknesses.

Because of Bates/Sinnott, I’m assuming Cager’s buzz is because they’re interested in him as an F TE (and/or some versatility to move between the two spots)? If I’m right about that, at least we have 2 guys (Yankoff as the 2nd) with some potential/upside to compete to backup Okonkwo. I still think bringing Ertz back at some point as a pure redzone/3rd down option might be a smart play, depending on how things play out. Not sure how the numbers would work though - hard to see us keeping 5 TEs. I suppose one of, or both Cager and Yankoff could get moved to the PS.

Agree about White/Ford vs Ekeler/Rodriguez, though I’m not super familiar with Ford. Perhaps he’s more well-rounded than Rodriguez? I do think the comparison gets a bit muddier when you factor in Ekeler’s injuries and add Allen to the mix.

 

[Riggo44]

Perhaps he’s more well-rounded than Rodriguez?

Much. 107 career receptions to just 7 for C-Rod. Also much more explosive. He'll be in competition with McNichols to make the team. Bill, White, and Allen are probably the top 3 RBs on the roster.

 

[DWinzit]

I don’t have much in the way of expectations for Sinnott, but I’m looking at him as more of a FB/HB and backup in-line TE. Going to be interesting to see how Blough utilizes that HB/FB role and if that role allows Sinnott to produce more.

As a sidenote, Blough’s got a lot on his plate no matter how you slice it, but I think the fact that he can pull from multiple successful guys with lots of schematic overlap (Shanahan, McVay, Johnson and O’Connell) is both promising and helpful. I think that could also help with finding roles for different guys based on their strengths/weaknesses.

Because of Bates/Sinnott, I’m assuming Cager’s buzz is because they’re interested in him as an F TE (and/or some versatility to move between the two spots)? If I’m right about that, at least we have 2 guys (Yankoff as the 2nd) with some potential/upside to compete to backup Okonkwo. I still think bringing Ertz back at some point as a pure redzone/3rd down option might be a smart play, depending on how things play out. Not sure how the numbers would work though - hard to see us keeping 5 TEs. I suppose one of, or both Cager and Yankoff could get moved to the PS.

Agree about White/Ford vs Ekeler/Rodriguez, though I’m not super familiar with Ford. Perhaps he’s more well-rounded than Rodriguez? I do think the comparison gets a bit muddier when you factor in Ekeler’s injuries and add Allen to the mix.

Exactly regarding Sinnott. If he is used the way he should have been when they drafted so freaking high, he can pan out. He is never going to be a great in line blocker or receiving maniac.

I young and healthy Ekeler is better than all the RB's. From the time he was hired in Washington, I doubt anyone didn't assess him as a healthy add to the team. There had already been an injury history associated with him, especially with concussions. That's why I poo poo the comparison and say the 2026 RB room > 2025 RB room

 

[skinsinparadise]

Last two years has been a solid 4.3. Bucky Irving had 3.4 YPC last year, by contrast. He is underrated as a runner, I think.

I am running a bit by Ledyard who I like over the years on draft coverage and he covers Tampa. He likes him but his point about him is a jack of all trades, master of none -- very solid. But as runner he said he has very little wiggle, he's according to him a dude who gets what's set up for him but rarely more than that. Doesn't have that breakaway gene as a runner according to him.

I get DWinzit point about Ford. I like him too based on what I've seen. But it seems like the beat guys have doubts he makes this team, will see.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Much. 107 career receptions to just 7 for C-Rod. Also much more explosive. He'll be in competition with McNichols to make the team. Bill, White, and Allen are probably the top 3 RBs on the roster.

Ledyard didn't depict White as explosive and he has a good eye especially for RBs.

So I just cross referenced his point. Rodriguez is actually had a better run of explosive runs last year, going through PFF stats, though neither one hot at it.

So for percentage of explosive runs, Rodriguez ranked 53 on that front. White was ranked 73. And it was by about 5% more for Rodriguez which is a good margin. Neither explosive clearly.

So that to me brings a point...

I am with DWinzit about Ford. I think he's been slept on. And I gather your point about explosive runs was about Ford not White. And I agree. I ignored 2025 because Ford barely played and went back to 2024 when he did, he was top 10 in explosive plays.

I don't get the narrative by most who cover the team that he likely doesn't make the team. At his best he's arguably the most talented RB on the roster.

 

[Riggo44]

I am with @DWinzit about Ford. I think he's been slept on. And I gather your point about explosive runs was about Ford not White. And I agree. I ignored 2025 because Ford barely played and went back to 2024 when he did, he was top 10 in explosive plays.

I don't get the narrative by most who cover the team that he likely doesn't make the team. At his best he's arguably the most talented RB on the roster.

Ford was really good in 2023 as well, scoring 9 TDs total, as well as 5.4 YPC in '24. I think our RB room is really underrated, especially if they keep 4: Bill, White, Allen, and Ford.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Ford was really good in 2023 as well, scoring 9 TDs total, as well as 5.4 YPC in '24. I think our RB room is really underrated, especially if they keep 4: Bill, White, Allen, and Ford.

To me if Ford makes the team, and he's his 2024 self, the unit is very underrated.

If he doesn't make the team then: Croskey-Merritt, White K. Allen IMO looks average on paper, but Its deep.

I think Croskey-Merritt is overrated by some within the fan base, and local media. Ford underrated by some within the fan base and local media. For similar reasons.

Croskey-Merritt, had one of the worst fumbiling per rep score in the league last year. Not much of a pass catcher. Not a good pass blocker. The one big run against Dallas was nice but otherwise he was pedestrian stat wise as to explosive runs. He's not a complete back IMO, could he grow into it? Maybe. But I am not in the camp that I am counting on him to explode next season.

White had fumbiling issues until last season. Good pass catcher though, good pass blocker.

Ford is explosive, has good hands, and doesn't fumble.

 

[RedWolf]

I'm actually excited about our running back room. I love me some Bill (camp crush) but I also think that Allen is going be a threat. Don't really know a lot about the rest of the guys. Reference SIP above

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

Ledyard didn't depict White as explosive and he has a good eye especially for RBs.

So I just cross referenced his point. Rodriguez is actually had a better run of explosive runs last year, going through PFF stats, though neither one hot at it.

So for percentage of explosive runs, Rodriguez ranked 53 on that front. White was ranked 73. And it was by about 5% more for Rodriguez which is a good margin. Neither explosive clearly.

So that to me brings a point...

I am with DWinzit about Ford. I think he's been slept on. And I gather your point about explosive runs was about Ford not White. And I agree. I ignored 2025 because Ford barely played and went back to 2024 when he did, he was top 10 in explosive plays.

I don't get the narrative by most who cover the team that he likely doesn't make the team. At his best he's arguably the most talented RB on the roster.

C Rod's "explosiveness" figures also include that breakaway 30 yard run (I'm guessing on the length) that was through a hole so big Ben Sinnott would have scored on that play.

 

[burgold]

Rashee Rice ordered to jail?

May light a fire under us if we want Diggs. Chiefs probably need to make a move.

 

[KDawg]

We have an advantage over Tennessee for FAs at least… we allow seed oils.

 

[SkinsFTW]

Ok I'll break the ice since nobody is talking today...

Why haven't they signed Diggs yet?

😂

 

[Riggo44]

 

[Higskin]

DQ was a "mystery guest" on The Junkies this morning doing a bit in Dewey Beach. EB flat out asked him, we know there's interest in Aiyuk but are you going to sign Diggs?

DQ had that coach speak answer, "yea, AP is always grinding to improve the team but we like the guys we have in that room" or something like that.

Meanwhile, JP Finlay on the radio this week said something along the lines of Diggs signing in the next couple weeks. Not saying it's necessarily here but like he's in discussion with teams.

We'll see....

 

[Primus Porcus]

DQ was a "mystery guest" on The Junkies this morning doing a bit in Dewey Beach. EB flat out asked him, we know there's interest in Aiyuk but are you going to sign Diggs?

DQ had that coach speak answer, "yea, AP is always grinding to improve the team but we like the guys we have in that room" or something like that.

Meanwhile, JP Finlay on the radio this week said something along the lines of Diggs signing in the next couple weeks. Not saying it's necessarily here but like he's in discussion with teams.

We'll see....

DQ has to endorse his own guys... (not saying you're suggesting he was meaning anything or not) but it's a whole lot of nothing 'coach speak'

 

[Mooney44]

 

[NickyJ]

It's only coach-speak, but if the team were interested in Stefon, I doubt Quinn would be so dismissive of it. He could find a way to say something positive about a player they're courting without saying 'but we have Stefon Diggs At Home' when referring to Dyami and Van Jefferson.

I am braced to find out that Diggs will sign with someone else for a reasonable price, whether it's AP or Harris holding the purse-strings tight.