a quick look at 2026 FA

[TommyD4207]

I feel Isaiah likely is a better bet than pitts and also more budget friendly .

I'm not sure he'll be more budget friendly, but I'd much rather have him as a player.

 

[stephens44]

Assuming they address RT early in the draft, I'd love to see them get TE Kyle Pitts. As for the rest of FA, just re-sign our best, fill the holes and add depth with guys that "fit the system".

 

[captain stone]

2026 NFL free agency: Early top-25 ranking and predictions

We listed the NFL's top 25 pending free agents -- including Daniel Jones and George Pickens -- and gave intel on who might return to their current team.

www.espn.com

From this list:
Linderbaum, Joel Bitonio, Breece Hall, Pierce, Doubs, Jakobi Meyers, Jaelen Phillips, Boye Mafe, Kwitty Paye, Quay Walker & Devin Lloyd.

 

[captain stone]

Pitts has so much more untapped talent and potential than any FA TE to be in 2026. Hands down. Pitts and Josh with Drake.. yeah sign me up. Likely is good but not the raw athlete and wr skills that Pitts possess.

For our current roster, I prefer a TE with more blocking acumen. Double-H tries, bless him, but too often he loses his ass-ignment......

 

[WhatJustHappened]

IMO, Pitts is a serious underachiever, he was supposed to be one of those "GENERATIONAL TALENTS ( :Rolleyes: ) according to all the draft "Experts".
Other than his 1st year, he's been mediocre at best.

I FEEL that he's a SOFT Player (I could be wrong).

 

[DC Patriots]

IMO, Pitts is a serious underachiever, he was supposed to be one of those "GENERATIONAL TALENTS ( :Rolleyes: ) according to all the draft "Experts".
Other than his 1st year, he's been mediocre at best.

I FEEL that he's a SOFT Player (I could be wrong).

I agree with you, I think. He’s not a bust as others are saying he’s just been disappointing based on where he was drafted and that the falcons took him over Chase. He’s averaged more yards than HH or Hockenson or Waller (who is I think the best comparison, however Waller was taken in the 6th)

Don’t watch enough Falcons to say what the problem is. Folks on the Atlanta boards and the Atlanta press feel that he’s lazy and/or dumb and can only run a limited route tree.

This does not sound like a Josh guy. This is a change for me, as I had initially thought Josh could make him a star.

Frankly, given that I suspect they will sign for close to the same money, should the Pats decide to spend on someone who catches the ball, Jakobi, who’s proven he can work in a Josh offense is a much better bet

 

[WhatJustHappened]

Neither IMO

 

[Huckleberry1]

The options are actually not that high. Gonzo's option will be about $12M.

Linderbaum is a special case because he's already a 2-time original ballot Pro Bowler, and the NFLPA managed to get such players the franchise tag amount for their option, on top of the "premium" for guards and centers.

Lindebaum would be a great free agent signing for the Patriots. The Ravens currently have 13 million in cap space, but have to sign Lindebaum, Travis Jones, and Isiah Likely. There are others but these are their big 3, and it looks very much like Lindebaum will hit the market.

 

[Huckleberry1]

No thanks. Henry, Hooper, Draft a Guy.

Njoku looks kinda washed to me. Certainly not worth spending actual money on.

Agree completely. And I want nothing to do with Pitts, he's soft and overrated.

 

[Huckleberry1]

I see the talk about Pitts and I have no doubt that the pleas for George Pickens are coming, but what those people don't seem to understand is the emphasis Vrabel and Co. are putting on culture and character when they choose players they want to bring into this locker room. The aren't going to bring in guys who are soft or disruptive, they are going to continue to bring in guys like Spillane and Morgan Moses, guys who bring toughness, work ethic, and leadership. And while it can be easy to see the players that you don't think they should bring in, it's much harder for most fans to identify the team oriented qualities that those players they are seeking possess.

 

[Real fan 02]

For our current roster, I prefer a TE with more blocking acumen. Double-H tries, bless him, but too often he loses his ass-ignment......

Of course Cap my guy.. I believe Henry will stick around another few seasons.. he's 31.. draft a Guy and sign a difference maker like pitts in FA.. remember what Josh was able to do with Hernandez.. pitts possess similar skill sets..

 

[Real fan 02]

From this list:
Linderbaum, Joel Bitonio, Breece Hall, Pierce, Doubs, Jakobi Meyers, Jaelen Phillips, Boye Mafe, Kwitty Paye, Quay Walker & Devin Lloyd.

Boye Mafe & Walker..those are difference makers at edge.. Breece Hall I'm sure is chomping at the bit to get out of NY..

 

[Real fan 02]

For our current roster, I prefer a TE with more blocking acumen. Double-H tries, bless him, but too often he loses his ass-ignment......

Cap we also have to remind ourselves as fans.. we have a different front office and approach under Vrabel.. Vrabel doesn't have to try to hard to over sell guys to come here.. it clear what's happening here.. that last in cash spending report really put a spot light on the organization amidst some 4-13 seasons.. spending won't be any issue.. come FA.. talent cost nothing wrong with having mid tier players but aside from drafting.. have to pursue some top tier guys as well.

Resign Chaisson, sign either Mafe or Walker or Phillips in FA.. and draft a guy..

 

[Huckleberry1]

I'm not sure he'll be more budget friendly, but I'd much rather have him as a player.

Likely will get significantly more than Pitts, but I still want them to find TE's in the draft.

 

[Real fan 02]

I'm not sure he'll be more budget friendly, but I'd much rather have him as a player.

Pitts all day...

 

[Real fan 02]

I feel Isaiah likely is a better bet than pitts and also more budget friendly .

Focus on going after good players in FA.. and let RKK worry about the budget..

 

[Wozzy]

The most obvious move is to sign the best available LG in free agency & move Wilson to C. Until they do that it won’t matter who they have running the ball up the middle. David Edwards is a FA & would weaken the Bills in the process. Solidifying the OL longterm should be the main priority while Maye is on a rookie deal.

I’d put a lot of this on Josh. Too often when he runs inside he runs power formations, brings everybody inside. It goes back to that old philosophy Bill used to spit, even if an opponent knows that you want to run, if you put a hat on a hat and everybody blocks well the play should work anyway.

Sounds good in theory but this league is too good. Most of the Henderson gainers from the Jets game came out of spread formations, I assume because he is smaller. But Josh also did a fair amount of bunching up and running him inside to mixed results.

A decade ago an opposing defensive coordinator called Josh and Brady’s offense “predictable,” he hasn’t changed that much. It’s my biggest gripe with Josh.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Mike also fans have to retrain thier thinking also. This is the Mike vrabel patriots.. guys will want to be here.. be part of what they are doing.. and play with Drake.. I just don't see Vrabel telling guys.. look we love ya, we want ya.. but i just can't pay ya 10 a year.. it's more of this is what we are doing here and we want you to be part of it.. that's the sales pitch. The onus is on the player not the team.

And the new workout and player family center opens up this Spring, I think, so our facilities will not be abysmal as they are now.

 

[Wozzy]

Sign Chaisson, Tonga, Hawkins and Gibbens…. none of them should get a ridiculous contract. Chaisson if he keeps on this torrid pace might.

Beyond those four Austin Hooper is getting old, they should look to bolster the TE position. No other free agent is a desperate signing and even these guys above are replaceable… even if it would be nice to have them back.

 

[p8ryts]

Sign Chaisson, Tonga, Hawkins and Gibbens…. none of them should get a ridiculous contract. Chaisson if he keeps on this torrid pace might.

Beyond those four Austin Hooper is getting old, they should look to bolster the TE position. No other free agent is a desperate signing and even these guys above are replaceable… even if it would be nice to have them back.

Henry and Hooper are both getting up there, but both are still effective. Keep them, draft a young guy or bring a free agent like Likely.