# NFL 2026 Offseason Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** football-nfl\ **Created:** [February 13, 2026, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644 "2026-02-13T18:22:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2026, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/181 "2026-03-17T18:02:40Z")
And Philadelphia has [signed WR Hollywood Brown](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/48231996/source-eagles-wr-hollywood-brown-agree-one-year-deal) for 1 year, up to $6.5 million ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2026, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/182 "2026-03-18T20:37:03Z")
Andy Dalton to the Eagles for slightly more than a ham sandwich (a seventh-round pick in 2027). Sam Howell signed with the Cowboys, and it sounds like the Eagles wanted a veteran backup for Jalen Hurts. > **[Sources: Eagles trade 2027 pick for Panthers QB Andy Dalton](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/48242342/sources-eagles-trade-2027-pick-panthers-qb-andy-dalton)** > > The Panthers are trading veteran quarterback Andy Dalton to the Eagles in exchange for a 2027 seventh-round pick, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2026, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/183 "2026-03-19T00:27:23Z")
Cleveland has [proposed a rule change](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/48243911/browns-propose-nfl-rule-change-allow-pick-trades-5-years-out) that would allow teams to trade draft picks up to 5 years in the future, as opposed to the 3 years currently allowed. ---
**Author:** ![fedman1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e495f1/32.png) [@fedman1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman1)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2026, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/184 "2026-03-19T02:36:54Z")
doesn’t matter, they’re still not going to get it right 😁 ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2026, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/185 "2026-03-19T02:37:37Z")
It would let them further mortgage their future for questionable trades. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2026, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/186 "2026-03-19T12:05:29Z")
Pretty much that. That’s longer than the average NFL career. They want to continue to make poor decisions and let the next GM/Coach (or the ones after that or even the ones after those, given the average tenure in Cleveland) deal with the consequences ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2026, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/187 "2026-03-19T14:51:49Z")
Here we go again: > **[NFL Faces Chaos: Replacement Refs Poised to Step In Amid CBA Dispute](https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/nfl-faces-chaos-replacement-refs-124229464.html)** > > The NFL could be searching for replacement refs if the new Collective Bargaining Agreement isn't reached. Unfortunately, the Packers and Seahawks don’t face off this season. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2026, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/188 "2026-03-22T19:08:50Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > The Broncos have traded for Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle, sending Miami 1st, 3rd, and 4th round picks in this year’s draft. Looking at this as a Dolphin fan, I’m increasingly happy with the outcome. Miami has an obscene amount of dead money this year, but they do have enough left that they can sign rookies. At this point, they have 11 draft picks in the upcoming draft (including 4 3rds: how about moving up on draft day?). Meanwhile, they give up Waddle. He’s got great upside - and I hope he thrives in Denver- but he was never a clear #1 receiver for Miami. It appears that Miami is going to extend the contract for De’von Achane, who is their most dynamic offensive weapon. But it’s going to be a new generation of (hopefully superstar) draft picks that fills out the roster. This year is obviously a rebuild. But it could plant the seeds of a dynasty (hope springs eternal). And _next_ year they get back over $100 million in cap money. > [@](#): > > Currently, the Dolphins are set to have $156 million in cap space in 2027, the 3rd-most of any team. In other words, they will certainly have the room to sign Achane to a long-term contract, if desired. > **[De’Von Achane not for sale, say Dolphins](https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/von-achane-not-sale-dolphins-132714924.html)** > > Achane is here to stay in Miami—for now. ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2026, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/189 "2026-03-22T22:54:17Z")
🤣 Hope springs eternal! ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2026, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/190 "2026-03-23T05:13:17Z")
This ESPN article notes that about 1/6th of the Jets’ total cap space for 2026 is being taken up by their last two opening-day quarterbacks – Justin Fields and Aaron Rodgers – neither of whom are still with the team. They have a total of $104 million in dead-cap money this year, which is only third in the league: Miami has an astonishing $182 million in dead cap, and New Orleans has $116 million. > **[Jets eating $48M in cap after moving on from Rodgers, Fields](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/48261647/new-york-jets-48-million-dead-money-aaron-rodgers-justin-fields)** > > New York is using about 16% in cap space after moving on from Aaron Rodgers and Justin Fields. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2026, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/191 "2026-03-23T14:35:40Z")
Seattle gives WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba a four-year, $168.6 million contract extension, making him, for now, the highest-paid receiver in league history. > **[Sources: Seahawks' Jaxon Smith-Njigba agrees to record extension](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/48286903/sources-seahawks-jaxon-smith-njigba-agrees-record-extension)** > > Jaxon Smith-Njigba has reached agreement with the Seahawks on a four-year, $168.6 million extension that makes him the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history, sources told ESPN. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2026, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/192 "2026-03-23T17:16:51Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > They have a total of $104 million in dead-cap money this year, which is only third in the league: Miami has an astonishing $182 million in dead cap, and New Orleans has $116 million. I’m impressed that Cleveland is below them. (They are reportedly 4th highest at just over $74 million.) I was curious who was last, and apparently it is my Seattle Seahawks, who have less than one million in dead cap (actually, less than a half million). Full list is here: > **[NFL Salary Cap Space | Over The Cap](https://overthecap.com/salary-cap-space)** > > NFL salary cap space estimates for all 32 teams ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2026, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/193 "2026-03-23T17:32:20Z")
The Jets, Dolphins, and Saints are all carrying dead cap numbers over $100 million this year to get to zero in 2027 (Fins will still have about $57M in 2027, but that’s way better than $182M), which is set to be a good free agent class and a great draft class. If there’s a year to do it, it’s this one. The tank-a-thon is on! ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2026, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/194 "2026-03-23T19:47:45Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > If there’s a year to do it, it’s this one. The tank-a-thon is on! A race to the bottom is still a race! 😆 ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2026, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/195 "2026-03-24T22:15:24Z")
Joe Flacco has [agreed to stay in Cincinnati for 1 year](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/48298896/bengals-41-year-old-qb-joe-flacco-agree-1-year-deal), $6 million, could go to $9 million with incentives. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2026, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/196 "2026-03-30T18:08:54Z")
Odell Beckham Jr. has indicated an interest in returning to the Giants, and John Harbaugh (who coached Beckham in his last productive season, in 2023 with the Ravens) has said that they would at least be willing to entertain the idea. It’s highly questionable as to how much Beckham has left in the tank. He’s now 33 years old, is ten years removed from his last All-Pro season, and after only making nine catches with the Dolphins in '24, he didn’t play at all last season: he was a free agent, and wound up suspended for PEDs for the first six games of 2025, but never signed with a team last year. > **[Giants' Harbaugh open to possible Odell Beckham Jr. reunion](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/48348428/giants-harbaugh-open-possible-odell-beckham-jr-reunion)** > > Free agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. wants to return to the New York Giants. The Giants are at least open to looking into adding Beckham for a second tour with the team. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2026, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/197 "2026-03-30T20:01:34Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > Cleveland has [proposed a rule change](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/48243911/browns-propose-nfl-rule-change-allow-pick-trades-5-years-out) that would allow teams to trade draft picks up to 5 years in the future, as opposed to the 3 years currently allowed. And it’s been withdrawn: > **[NFL News Poster (@nflnewsposter.bsky.social)](https://bsky.app/profile/nflnewsposter.bsky.social/post/3mic5fi47ca2k)** > > \[Pelissero\] The Browns withdrew their rules change proposal that would have allowed teams to trade draft picks up to five years in advance rather than the current three. https://twitter.com/TomPelissero/status/2038663461216084014 There was a comment from Sean McVay earlier today basically saying the proposal had no support. ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2026, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/198 "2026-03-30T23:22:39Z")
I’m guessing that NFL owners realize that, as much fun it is and how it can improve your own team, allowing some of the … less intelligently run … teams to mortgage not just a couple years, but an entire 5-10 years is not great for parity. And parity is one of the best (and revenue sharing increasing) parts of the NFL. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2026, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/199 "2026-03-30T23:51:20Z")
Does the value of draft picks change over time, as the value of money does? A million dollars right now is worth more than an ironclad promise of a million dollars one year in the future. If I traded my third-round draft pick in 2028 for your third-round pick in 2029, who gets the better of that deal? Ignore such things as whether a given year’s draft class is considered better or worse than average. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2026, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/200 "2026-03-31T00:01:02Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > Does the value of draft picks change over time, as the value of money does? A million dollars right now is worth more than an ironclad promise of a million dollars one year in the future. Yes, as I understand it; all else being equal, draft picks in future years (particularly in the first few rounds) aren’t generally deemed as being as valuable as those for the next draft. Various sources I’m finding (see links below) suggest that picks for a future draft are typically seen as being worth one “lower” round than picks for the upcoming draft, due to at least two factors: - Greater uncertainty about the future drafts (e.g., How high in the round will that pick be? How good will that draft class be?) - A current draft pick is something that can help you win _now_, and all but the most successful/secure team managements knows that there’s a substantial chance that they won’t be around to capitalize on a draft pick that their team has in a year or two. > **[Discounting Of Future NFL Draft Picks](https://overthecap.com/discounting-of-future-nfl-draft-picks)** > > We had a little discussion over the last few days about discounting of future draft picks. The consensus is that in the NFL when a team trades up and includes a future pick t… > **[When is a future draft pick worth more than a current draft pick?](https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2023/3/20/23648904/packers-jets-aaron-rodgers-trade-2023-nfl-draft-when-is-a-future-pick-worth-more-than-a-current-pick)** > > April 27th may not actually force a move in the Aaron Rodgers stalemate. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644.md?page=11)