2026 NFL Off-season thread

[MRCboicgy]

Get ready for the Draft, then take us through to August.

[Sylvanfan]

Well one of the first things will be Klint Kubiak as head coach of the Raiders being official. I still think the NFL is strange doing free agency before the draft. But teams probably spend smarter if it's reversed

[MRCboicgy]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

Well one of the first things will be Klint Kubiak as head coach of the Raiders being official. I still think the NFL is strange doing free agency before the draft. But teams probably spend smarter if it's reversed

I think your Chiefs are the most interesting team in FA/Draft. I said in another thread I feel it could be a Makar -type thing with the down year.
Who do you want them to draft? I can't see them taking the Notre Dame RB that high when Mahomes is getting run over thanks to a tackle who lines up offside every snap and still can't stop anyone.

[troutman]

Njoku to test free agency.

[Sainters7]

Originally Posted by MRCboicgy

I can't see them taking the Notre Dame RB that high when Mahomes is getting run over thanks to a tackle who lines up offside every snap and still can't stop anyone.

I don't think he gets past New Orleans anyway, who pick right before the Chiefs. But we shall see..

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by MRCboicgy

I think your Chiefs are the most interesting team in FA/Draft. I said in another thread I feel it could be a Makar -type thing with the down year.
Who do you want them to draft? I can't see them taking the Notre Dame RB that high when Mahomes is getting run over thanks to a tackle who lines up offside every snap and still can't stop anyone.

The offensive line would be okay if they were healthy. Problem was that 3 of the 5 starters and the primary backup tackle were all out for the last 5 games. I expect that they will move on from Jawaan Taylor and move Jaylen Moore over to right tackle. Hopefully Josh Simmons plays more than 6 games Creed Humphry and Trey Smith are both top notch at their position. Kingsley Suamatia played decent at Left guard filling the hole left by Joe Thuney. Esa Pole was actually decent in his time at Left Tackle when Wanya Morris went down. But tackle #6...that's just too far into the chart. So I think there's 5 good starters, Pole as a swing tackle, and Morris as the 4th is fine. They need better backups in the interior as Calliendo wasn't very good. But day 3 picks and undrafted free agents can fill those roles.

I don't think they would take Love, but it would be tempting. If Bailey or Bain is there to get some type of pass rush on the D-Line, I like that best. I wouldn't hate getting one of Tate or Lemon as a wide out. I always like trading back in the NFL, and if they went back to spots maybe a guy like Sadiq to eventually be the TE1.

I prefer the idea of getting the other ND running back Jadarian Price in round 2. He can help in the return game and might be better suited for how Andy Reid uses running backs. Wouldn't hate Eli Stowers in that round either.

I think what the Chiefs do in free agency will influence what they do in the draft. A free agent back like Breece Hall is pretty cheap compared to a DE, WR, or OL in free agency. So If prefer the high pick rookie deal be at a premium position.

[Senator Clay Davis]

It's been an underrated factor in the decline of the Chiefs offense the past couple seasons, but the lack of a big play guy in the running game has really hurt them. With teams daring offenses to run more than ever, the Chiefs have relied on Pacheco who has some of the worst vision in the league, and geezer ass Hunt who is purely a short yardage guy now. Normally I would hate drafting a RB that high, but the Chiefs really need more pop in the running game to open up more passing lanes for the offense. Lions got mocked for drafting Gibbs, but that worked out pretty well.

[Sainters7]

Not to mention how good Love is in pass pro as well. Very underrated part of his game, he'll help elevate the entire offence.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

It's been an underrated factor in the decline of the Chiefs offense the past couple seasons, but the lack of a big play guy in the running game has really hurt them. With teams daring offenses to run more than ever, the Chiefs have relied on Pacheco who has some of the worst vision in the league, and geezer ass Hunt who is purely a short yardage guy now. Normally I would hate drafting a RB that high, but the Chiefs really need more pop in the running game to open up more passing lanes for the offense. Lions got mocked for drafting Gibbs, but that worked out pretty well.

You're the poster who famously claimed an elite kicker is worth more than an elite running back.

I do think the lack of talent at RB was an issue. But the offense as a whole was just not well designed, and players didn't execute at all. The Chiefs should have enough settled on offence where a dynamic back could flourish...but with Reid being so stubborn, he might end up wasting the talent. I'm fine to change up the position. But I do wonder if a Breece Hall or Travis Etienne could upgrade the position enough for a reasonable price in FA. Than use the pick on a premium position you can't afford to address in free agency. If you take a RB...it's a 5 year player and you move on after.

[Senator Clay Davis]

How does that change my opinion lol. I'd still rather have an elite kicker, especially now as more and more games come down to last possession. But there's no doubt teams are playing lighter boxes and with lighter personnel these days, and the Chiefs can't take advantage with their current RB crop. Whether its FA or the draft they need a decent RB and not below replacement level guys.

[ResAlien]

If Sean Payton didn't hate me personally he'd use a chunk of their salary cap windfall on Hall and Njoku but he despises me so he won't. Hopefully there's a decent Oline prospect left at #30 they need to replenish the line soon

[Erick Estrada]

I wouldn't take it personally. Payton has to be up there as one of the biggest #######s in NFL history. Great coach but he's not going to be fondly remembered by most.

[Sainters7]

I'll always think fondly of him, as I don't think Saints have a title without him, but even I find it fun to root against him now (despite always having a soft spot for the Broncos). He's just stubborn, temperamental and arrogant. And thinks he's the smartest guy in the room, with his litany of infuriating, off-the-board 1st round whiffs. Plus he'll be forever tied to Bountygate, which doesn't help his rep.

It's to the point where that legacy actually keeps him underrated as a coach; he's still a good play caller, and good at building a strong locker room culture. He's still one of the better coaches in this league.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Seahawks hire Brian Fleury, who has been with Shanahan in San Fran since 2019 and most recently has been their running game and tight ends coach. Basically continuing the Shanahan principles that were installed under Kubiak.

[puffnstuff]

New Raiders coach Kubiak hires Seahawks quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko as offensive coordinator.

[Sainters7]

Not going to link it because it's from Twitter, but Adam Schefter reports Dolphins release Tyreek Hill. Frees $22.8M from Miami's cap.

[MRCboicgy]

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/...wr-tyreek-hill


Looks like Hill and Chubb are released

[Erick Estrada]

Tua's release is pending March 11. I don't see why a team would trade for the contract when they can sign him cheaper after he's released. I think another team will give him a chance to start because QB play has been declining annually.