The 2026 Free Agency Thread

[NickyJ]

Who was talking about the moon landings? I haven't found any results mentioning Dyami or Keenan.

 

[Discobob]

Who was talking about the moon landings? I haven't found any results mentioning Dyami or Keenan.

8:55ish in this video... Im bad with names, I'm not sure who the other three are with Dyami... LOL

 

[Primus Porcus]

Do you have any particular “good enough” players in mind who have been over-criticized for not being elite, in your opinion? I’m struggling to think of someone this applies to

about 2/3 of the kickers we've dismissed over the last decade. Plenty of fan criticisms of guys that are still in the league.

about 1/2 the roster from the 2025 team. Guys that were plenty good enough to be what they're supposed to be, but were thrust into positions of need, and are now viewed as liabilities because of it.


I dont have time to go back post by post to break each individual player criticism out, but there are plenty of players that are good enough to be NFL players, that struggle. Mike Sainristil, Dyami Brown, Luke McCaffrey, hell, people have voiced being upset about Jordan McGee not being a green dot guy, despite his lower draft status and his contributions over the last couple years. Pretty much the whole D-line, at some point or another, but it still comes back to some level of understanding that when you're on your 8th, or 9th, pass rusher, have we started judging them on a role they aren't supposed to be in... and if they're actually good enough to play the role they were intended to.

"Good Enough' is relative. The 5th or 6th CB on the roster covering a top 5 WR in the NFL, and then getting upset that they dont stack up.. not really a realistic complaint.

Goes back to what did we actually expect to happen last year, and can we really be upset with the guys on the field, when they're a good fit for their role, but now they're no longer in their role.

 

[Always Commander Never Captain]

"Good Enough' is relative. The 5th or 6th CB on the roster covering a top 5 WR in the NFL, and then getting upset that they dont stack up.. not really a realistic complaint.

Complete tangent and off-topic from your post, but that sentence reminded me of what John Keim said about Minnesota's roster construction. Minny went into last season with only 4 corners (and instead 6 safeties).

Top 5 Corners

1. Mike Sainristil
2. Trey Amos
3. Rasul Douglas
4. Amik Robertson
5. Ahkello Witherspoon (now on the roster bubble?)

Top 6 Safeties:

1. Nick Cross
2. Will Harris
3. Jeremy Reaves
4. Tyler Owens
5. Percy Butler
6. Quan Martin

Quan Martin supposedly practiced in OTA's/Minicamp exclusively at Nickel. So maybe it's that hybrid Big Nickel role that Minny used a lot. But if we keep only 4 Corners, maybe there's space for Quan Martin as a CB/S Nickel type.

 

[Primus Porcus]

Complete tangent and off-topic from your post, but that sentence reminded me of what John Keim said about Minnesota's roster construction. Minny went into last season with only 4 corners (and instead 6 safeties).

Top 5 Corners

1. Mike Sainristil
2. Trey Amos
3. Rasul Douglas
4. Amik Robertson
5. Ahkello Witherspoon (now on the roster bubble?)

Top 6 Safeties:

1. Nick Cross
2. Will Harris
3. Jeremy Reaves
4. Tyler Owens
5. Percy Butler
6. Quan Martin

Quan Martin supposedly practiced in OTA's/Minicamp exclusively at Nickel. So maybe it's that hybrid Big Nickel role that Minny used a lot. But if we keep only 4 Corners, maybe there's space for Quan Martin as a CB/S Nickel type.

Its def possible... I would think those 5 CBs are pretty much locked in, and if they were going to squeeze the balloon, it would be at LB instead of CB considering how many spread looks you get... the 6th LB on the roster isn't the priority anymore over the depth at CB / S

 

[Faithful Fan]

Do you have any particular “good enough” players in mind who have been over-criticized for not being elite, in your opinion? I’m struggling to think of someone this applies to

Can’t speak for him, but I agree with the sentiment we have some pretty good players who people complain about for various reasons. Daron Payne and Frankie Luvu come right to mind. I also think our secondary, receivers, and tight ends are better than the prevailing opinion.

Last year’s good players who were over criticized were Deebo Samuel, Bobby Wagner, and Zach Ertz. Team leaders in tackles and receptions, model citizens, unfairly maligned.

 

[Chris]

I dont have time to go back post by post to break each individual player criticism out…

In reality nobody does. Well, almost nobody.

 

[skinsinparadise]

 

[skinsinparadise]

Terry ranked better here, 13th, back to back with Deonta Smith who was 14th. Diggs is 17.

 

[clskinsfan]

Terry ranked better here, 13th, back to back with Deonta Smith who was 14th. Diggs is 17.

Sometimes PFF is a trip man. Nabers at 20? That is ridiculous. He is easily a top 10 WR in this league when healthy. And Chase at 4 has me scratching my head a little bit. I guess you can argue Chase, JJ and Puka at the top 3 imo though.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Sometimes PFF is a trip man. Nabers at 20? That is ridiculous. He is easily a top 10 WR in this league when healthy. And Chase at 4 has me scratching my head a little bit. I guess you can argue Chase, JJ and Puka at the top 3 imo though.

PFF though kinder to this team than some of these scouts-coaches-national media rankings. Most of them crapping on this O line. PFF though has them at 13. Terry ranked 20 witth the scouts-coaches. PFF had him at 13.

for those with the idea of what could have Peters done last year at WR? We are talking now about Keenan Allen who had a good year. Devonta Smith FA this year, ranked 10th by executives-coaches.

 

[skinsinparadise]

 

[burgold]

If Ben Sinnott does take over the Cole Kmet role to quote Ricky Ricardo, "Kliff has some 'splainin' to do."

I am weirdly optimistic that a few of our draftees were badly under and misused. Chief among them being Newton and Sinnott. I doubt either becomes a superstar, but I don't think they should be bums. So far in their career, they have been bums.

 

[skinsinparadise]

If Ben Sinnott does take over the Cole Kmet role to quote Ricky Ricardo, "Kliff has some 'splainin' to do."

I am weirdly optimistic that a few of our draftees were badly under and misused. Chief among them being Newton and Sinnott. I doubt either becomes a superstar, but I don't think they should be bums. So far in their career, they have been bums.

We'll see. Logan Paulsen—who readily admits he tends to view the team through an optimistic lens—seemed a little skeptical about Jer'Zhan Newton's fit in this scheme. At least in Brian Flores' defense, the defensive tackles are often asked to occupy gaps, anchor against the run, and let others make plays. That's never really been Newton's calling card. Logan seemed to think Ben Sinnott would benefit more from the scheme, but I also didn't come away with the impression that he views Sinnott as some hidden superstar. When Grant pressed him on Sinnott, Logan's response felt more like a vibe of, "I think he'll be a solid player," rather than, "This guy is about to break out."

The player Logan seemed most excited about was Luke McCaffrey. I've made a similar point myself—not because I'm watching practice like Logan is, but because McCaffrey has more of a development arc, hasn't played WR for long, and seems to have that insane work ethic-drive to great. It's not that I am counting on hiim but if I had to pick one among Burks, Lane and him -- I'd go Luke.

As for Sinnott, I still have some reservations. When I hear people say route running isn't his biggest strength, and then hear Sinnott himself acknowledge that he's not an Ertz-type route runner, my reaction is, Why not make that your focus? Route running is a craft that can improve with work. It also reminds me of what I said before that draft: I loved his physicality and toughness, but I wasn't convinced he was a natural separator. Because of that, I'm still not sold that he develops into someone like Cole Kmet.

The encouraging thing I keep hearing—from the beat reporters and from Logan—is Blough's scheme should create more space and easier opportunities for this offense. I hope they're right. At the same time, I can't get Sean McVay's comments out of my head. McVay has talked about how he wasn't nearly as good during his first year as an offensive coordinator because there's so much you learn on the job. He leaned heavily on Jay Gruden that season and felt he made a huge jump in Year 2.

That's why I'm a little cautious about all the Blough optimism. But lol, as camp approaches, I can tell the local media is buying the Kool Aide, as most albiet not all of them typically do. I hope they are right. I am not sold on the team's spin about their offense that the local media is eating up as camp approaches -- but I do think Jayden overcomes it but I just hate that they keep doing that to him -- but I think I am more optimisic than most about the defense, I love some of the new acquisitons. If I had to pick 2 players the local media is sleeping on its Cross and Chaisson. Though Cross seems to be gaining some steam with some. I actually think the talent on defense has gone from crappy to above average.

 

[burgold]

The thing I'm hoping for when it comes to Newton is that the Flores system seems to be an attacking one and Jer'Zhan seems like a guy for whom penetrating and quickness would make him a good attacker. You're right that if they need him to be a space filler then he's a poor fit and probably won't shine, but if they use him as a rush tackle then I can see him making some noise.

 

[skinsinparadise]

The thing I'm hoping for when it comes to Newton is that the Flores system seems to be an attacking one and Jer'Zhan seems like a guy for whom penetrating and quickness would make him a good attacker. You're right that if they need him to be a space filler then he's a poor fit and probably won't shine, but if they use him as a rush tackle then I can see him making some noise.

I guess we won't know until it plays out but the small hints so far seem to be that its going to look like the Flores system.

And in that system, you got a nose at times, I guess Settle will be that dude playing 0 or 1. And the other two tackles often occupy gaps, too.

But maybe on pure passing downs, you line up Newton in different places, heck I know Flores sometimes lined up smaller tackles at the nose. I am sure they will find a place for him. But on paper it doesn't seem a hot fit.

 

[DWinzit]

I agree that of the prior draftees, Luke as the guy most misused or will have the most opportunity to shine this year.

I expect Sinnott to be more involved but I don't see him as the next Kmet. I however did see him in that light when we drafted him, especially when they reached a round for him. I have read a lot of him struggling with routes and separating, separating being a concern before the draft. He is a nice move guy who has really improved in the blocking arena.

Our front 7 feels pretty stacked to me!! That's exciting because I never thought I'd say again with all the Snyder debacles. I think that spells trouble to Newton to be able to show drastic improvement. He will be sharing time with a lot of other quality players.

Defensively with prior draftees, I am a expecting Mikey to come closer to 2024 form than 2025 form. Also expect big things from Amos

 

[Boone]

Until we start consistently winning, talent will be (and should be) a question mark. I think part of all of the increased angst going on this offseason is due to several factors. First of all, we are early on in the new regime's history so there is going to be extra scrutiny from fans. Secondly, we had a shockingly successful inaugural season in 2024, followed by a pretty bad showing in 2025. The 'polar opposite' nature of those back to back seasons raises the question - was 2024 an anomaly where we won despite our imperfect roster because everything that could go right did go right? Or was 2025 the anomaly, and had it not been for incredibly bad luck on the injury front, we'd have seen another great season like we had in 2024?

I think it's the circumstances of the past 2 seasons that has caused there to be even more focus/criticism than there usually is.

 

[skinsinparadise]

I agree that of the prior draftees, Luke as the guy most misused or will have the most opportunity to shine this year.

I expect Sinnott to be more involved but I don't see him as the next Kmet. I however did see him in that light when we drafted him, especially when they reached a round for him. I have read a lot of him struggling with routes and separating, separating being a concern before the draft. He is a nice move guy who has really improved in the blocking arena.

Our front 7 feels pretty stacked to me!! That's exciting because I never thought I'd say again with all the Snyder debacles. I think that spells trouble to Newton to be able to show drastic improvement. He will be sharing time with a lot of other quality players.

Defensively with prior draftees, I am a expecting Mikey to come closer to 2024 form than 2025 form. Also expect big things from Amos

I don't get the sense Luke McCaffrey was misused. I remember multiple beat reporters saying he looked pretty underwhelming during camp last summer. This year, though, Logan Paulsen has said he looks noticeably different—sharper in his route running, more polished, and simply a better player overall.

I've always gravitated toward players with a bit of a Rocky story—guys who may not have the most natural talent but have elite intangibles and outwork everyone else. Whenever I hear little nuggets about a player's work ethic or drive, I file them away because I think those traits often separate the players who eventually break out from the ones who plateau. Luke fits that.

I know those clues can be subtle, and I'm not claiming I always interpret them correctly, but I've found they're often meaningful. I remember hearing things over the years like Austin Ekeler always having something he's working on—another part of his game he's trying to improve—while Brian Robinson didn't do the same. Whether that's entirely fair or not, I pay attention to those little observations because I'm always trying to figure out which players have that inner drive to become great.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't quite get that same vibe from Ben Sinnott. It's not that I think he lacks work ethic or doesn't care—I have no reason to believe that. I just haven't heard the kinds of stories that make me think, "This guy is obsessed with maximizing every ounce of his ability."

I'm kind of a junkie when it comes to this stuff. I listen to just about every podcast, especially during training camp, and I've been to camp plenty of times myself. I pay close attention to which players consistently get talked about as being relentless, always looking to improve, and willing to put in the extra work. Those are the players I tend to bet on in the long run. It's part of the reason why I dug Terry before that draft -- everything I read about him screamed this dude will exceed expectations.

 

[DWinzit]

I don't get the sense Luke McCaffrey was misused. I remember multiple beat reporters saying he looked pretty underwhelming during camp last summer. This year, though, Logan Paulsen has said he looks noticeably different—sharper in his route running, more polished, and simply a better player overall.

I've always gravitated toward players with a bit of a Rocky story—guys who may not have the most natural talent but have elite intangibles and outwork everyone else. Whenever I hear little nuggets about a player's work ethic or drive, I file them away because I think those traits often separate the players who eventually break out from the ones who plateau. Luke fits that.

I know those clues can be subtle, and I'm not claiming I always interpret them correctly, but I've found they're often meaningful. I remember hearing things over the years like Austin Ekeler always having something he's working on—another part of his game he's trying to improve—while Brian Robinson didn't do the same. Whether that's entirely fair or not, I pay attention to those little observations because I'm always trying to figure out which players have that inner drive to become great.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't quite get that same vibe from Ben Sinnott. It's not that I think he lacks work ethic or doesn't care—I have no reason to believe that. I just haven't heard the kinds of stories that make me think, "This guy is obsessed with maximizing every ounce of his ability."

I'm kind of a junkie when it comes to this stuff. I listen to just about every podcast, especially during training camp, and I've been to camp plenty of times myself. I pay close attention to which players consistently get talked about as being relentless, always looking to improve, and willing to put in the extra work. Those are the players I tend to bet on in the long run. It's part of the reason why I dug Terry before that draft -- everything I read about him screamed this dude will exceed expectations.

It's hard not to appreciate that take. You are correct, have not heard anything big about Sinnott working on improvements.

Are there any other prior draftees or any others, that have been driven this off season? I have heard a lot of Jayden and Terry but can't really think of others.

The player I am really hoping has this drive is Coleman. We need for him to shine although to me he already proved to be a valuable T. We had heard of strides from his LG competition Paul. Also Tunsil spoke up for Paul which I found oddly. We need one of those guys to really step up.