NFL News Official 2025 NFL Free Agency Thread

[mike_usagisan]

For Cam Robinson I could see a deal something like...
2 years

$10M signing bonus
$1M salary first year (guaranteed)
$12M salary second year (becomes guaranteed at start of 2026 season)

$1M incentive tied to team sacks allowed
$1M incentive tied to team wins
$1M incentive tied to pro bowl/all pro selection
$1M reporting bonus
$2M in roster bonuses
Up to $4M in playtime bonuses

If he hit all those incentives each year he'd walk away with $21M in the first year between the signing bonus and the incentives, and $22M in the second year between salary and roster bonuses. So it can be reported as a "2 year, up to $43M deal" but in reality could be a 1 year $11M deal if he doesn't work out in year 1 or is replaced. And if he DOES hit all of these incentives, hell, you won't mind paying him! He'd also hit free agency again at the age of 32, and if playing well, would likely get one more nice check.

It could also be tied to playing time, with the idea that if he's not available because of injury or losing his starter job, he won't get paid.

 

[Ross12]

It could also be tied to playing time, with the idea that if he's not available because of injury or losing his starter job, he won't get paid.

Yeah, the biggest incentive I listed was up to $4M in playtime bonuses. That'd be escalating, so if he's out there all year then he gets $4M. If he gets replaced or hurt halfway through the year he gets $1.5M. Etc.

 

[mike_usagisan]

Yeah, the biggest incentive I listed was up to $4M in playtime bonuses. That'd be escalating, so if he's out there all year then he gets $4M. If he gets replaced or hurt halfway through the year he gets $1.5M. Etc.

Robinson just needs to be good enough that they don't go into the draft with LT as a glaring need.

 

[Ring 6]

For Cam Robinson I could see a deal something like...
2 years

$10M signing bonus
$1M salary first year (guaranteed)
$12M salary second year (becomes guaranteed at start of 2026 season)

$1M incentive tied to team sacks allowed
$1M incentive tied to team wins
$1M incentive tied to pro bowl/all pro selection
$1M reporting bonus
$2M in roster bonuses
Up to $4M in playtime bonuses

If he hit all those incentives each year he'd walk away with $21M in the first year between the signing bonus and the incentives, and $22M in the second year between salary and roster bonuses. So it can be reported as a "2 year, up to $43M deal" but in reality could be a 1 year $11M deal if he doesn't work out in year 1 or is replaced. And if he DOES hit all of these incentives, hell, you won't mind paying him! He'd also hit free agency again at the age of 32, and if playing well, would likely get one more nice check.

This fits with a plan to trade down and draft a LT.
The rookie won’t need to play big if he takes over Robinson doesn’t get paid as much and can be cut after year 1 without much hit.

 

[Ross12]

This fits with a plan to trade down and draft a LT.
The rookie won’t need to play big if he takes over Robinson doesn’t get paid as much and can be cut after year 1 without much hit.

Yep, I am thinking the same. Conversely, if Robinson plays so well that you don't want to swap over to the new LT, you can keep that kid on the bench year 1, and then Robinson becomes a nice trade chip in year 2.

 

[Ray Ray 717]

Ok who?

If trading for AJ Brown is not sustainable,

Here’s what I propose

Plan A: Draft Hunter at 4th overall if he falls.

Plan B: Trade down to 10-15th overall and draft T-Mac, Golden, or Luther. Acquire more draft capital in the process.

Address LT in round 2, where we have a much higher likelihood to hit on an Offensive Lineman than Wide Receiver.

 

[Ring 6]

If trading for AJ Brown is not sustainable,

Here’s what I propose

Plan A: Draft Hunter at 4th overall if he falls.

Plan B: Trade down to 10-15th overall and draft T-Mac, Golden, or Luther. Acquire more draft capital in the process.

Address LT in round 2, where we have a much higher likelihood to hit on an Offensive Lineman than Wide Receiver.

So rookies?

I don’t see Hunter as a full time WR

 

[Ring 6]

Yep, I am thinking the same. Conversely, if Robinson plays so well that you don't want to swap over to the new LT, you can keep that kid on the bench year 1, and then Robinson becomes a nice trade chip in year 2.

The rookie can be swing T, 3rd TE maybe even play some at G in the meantime. Like Solder did.
Don’t want him not playing at all.

 

[Ray Ray 717]

So rookies?

I don’t see Hunter as a full time WR

Yup elite rookies.

 

[Steve102]

If trading for AJ Brown is not sustainable,

Here’s what I propose

Plan A: Draft Hunter at 4th overall if he falls.

Plan B: Trade down to 10-15th overall and draft T-Mac, Golden, or Luther. Acquire more draft capital in the process.

Address LT in round 2, where we have a much higher likelihood to hit on an Offensive Lineman than Wide Receiver.

What if no trade partner?

 

[zimmy]

Feels like we are in the portion of free agency where everyone is waiting for prices to come down. It’s bargain shopping time.

I’m not really interested in Cam Robinson unless we are suitably protected contract wise. He’s below average but better than what we have with motivation issues

 

[raduray]

Agree with this. Other than a few obvious players no one on this roster is safe. And he’s going to make examples of a few of these guys. Anyone who shows up out of shape, or doesn’t know their playbook is going to pay dearly for it.

When does the playbook get distributed?

 

[Ring 6]

Yup elite rookies.

So you draft a rookie and at best can count on 700 or so yards if all goes well. Who else are your wide receivers?

 

[raduray]

Why would we even want someone like that on our team? Goes to character.

 

[JayNM]

WHERE ARE MY PLAYERS

I CANT APPRECIATTE MY GODDAMN LUNCH WITHOUY SHINY NEW TOYS

 

[Hammer of Thor]

For Cam Robinson I could see a deal something like...
2 years

$10M signing bonus
$1M salary first year (guaranteed)
$12M salary second year (becomes guaranteed at start of 2026 season)

$1M incentive tied to team sacks allowed
$1M incentive tied to team wins
$1M incentive tied to pro bowl/all pro selection
$1M reporting bonus
$2M in roster bonuses
Up to $4M in playtime bonuses

If he hit all those incentives each year he'd walk away with $21M in the first year between the signing bonus and the incentives, and $22M in the second year between salary and roster bonuses. So it can be reported as a "2 year, up to $43M deal" but in reality could be a 1 year $11M deal if he doesn't work out in year 1 or is replaced. And if he DOES hit all of these incentives, hell, you won't mind paying him! He'd also hit free agency again at the age of 32, and if playing well, would likely get one more nice check.

That sounds extremely reasonable from the Patriots perspective, sounds of course like the issue is Robinson is balking at that type of arrangement and is hoping someone else comes along that doesn’t have all the incentives. The fact that it’s Wednesday and he hasn’t reached an agreement yet likely means other teams view him similarly and are making comparable offers.

 

[Ross12]

That sounds extremely reasonable from the Patriots perspective, sounds of course like the issue is Robinson is balking at that type of arrangement and is hoping someone else comes along that doesn’t have all the incentives. The fact that it’s Wednesday and he hasn’t reached an agreement yet likely means other teams view him similarly and are making comparable offers.

Yep, I think the same. In all likelihood he will have to take such a deal, but the Pats will probably be willing to beat the incentives/guarantees of other teams.

 

[mike_usagisan]

Why would we even want someone like that on our team? Goes to character.

Because we don't have anyone else. It's like with Trent Brown. When he was good, he was very good. When he wasn't, our QB got destroyed. When we got rid of him and didn't replace him with anyone capable, our QB got destroyed.

The whole point of this is not that we can't have holes in the team. The point is that you don't want the holes to potentially destroy the franchise QB.

 

[hornetfb85]

I’m ok with this. Do we need a LT…absof**kinlootely. Also don’t want to pay franchise LT money if there are definite red flags.

 

[Joey007]

Is this how FA’s will look from now on? It’s Wednesday and it feels like the market is nearly dried up.