2026 Free Agent News Tracker

[OldSchool101]

Rasheed Walker has signed a 1 yr deal, for around $10M, with the Carolina Panthers.

What?! That’s chump change and worse yet we lose a comp pick. Heck I might’ve kept him on a 3yr X $27mil type offer.

 

[gopkrs]

What?! That’s chump change and worse yet we lose a comp pick. Heck I might’ve kept him on a 3yr X $27mil type offer.

Teams were drying up. He might have waited but. Same with Wilson I bet.

 

[OldSchool101]

Teams were drying up. He might have waited but. Same with Wilson I bet.

I read an article that was saying that since Covid there’s been a bubble on cap. Teams are essentially spent in 2026 after the first couple days in FA the $$ gets worse

Something to do with the concept of pushing capital gradually more and more in compounding effect. bTeams keep pushing cap forward, but at a faster rate than the cap % is going up. Which creates massive cap debt and scares them once they hit bottom.

 

[OldSchool101]

The only silver lining might (because this sucks!) be they use a formula in compensatory. 0-5% off the mean FA contract is a RD3. 5-10% a RD4 etc.

if that’s true? Which I think it is.. The more players with lower $$ contracts towards end of FA will lower the average $$ mean contract.
That in turn will raise the Willis contract $$ (22.5M) into a top 5% area. As of this minute I doubt he’s inside the top 5%. The baseline is an average FA contract $$ and it’s common knowledge lots of higher $$ guys get signed early. He can still get there as smaller deals get signed.

Also, if this bubble thing is true? Brian is smart enough to wait a bit. Let the impact of these guys seeing desperation contracts happen. We’ll have some cheap options to sign a FA or two at like 50-75% of market prices.

 

[tynimiller]

What?! That’s chump change and worse yet we lose a comp pick. Heck I might’ve kept him on a 3yr X $27mil type offer.

Rasheed knew he lost the LT spot to Morgan last year, and that Belton showed at then at RG somewhat….he wouldn’t want to be here cuz chance he doesn’t start. Makes a lot more sense when long term deals dried up to take a short term deal and hunt for one next year.

 

[DoURant]

What?! That’s chump change and worse yet we lose a comp pick. Heck I might’ve kept him on a 3yr X $27mil type offer.

They are speculating a 6th Rd comp right now. Rasheed didn't finish the season strong, so that might be another reason for him not getting a multi year deal. This year is a critical season for him to up his stock for next year. He is betting on himself to do that.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Rasheed Walker has signed a 1 yr deal, for around $10M, with the Carolina Panthers.

Sounds about right and I think the amount he got, the fact that its only a 1 year deal and how long it took for him to sign a deal, shows you that nobody looks at him as an above average LT.

Do I think Carolina got a good deal? Probably. I don't think Walker is that bad of a LT, but I don't mind that the Packers moved on from him.

 

[Pkrjones]

Sounds about right and I think the amount he got, the fact that its only a 1 year deal and how long it took for him to sign a deal, shows you that nobody looks at him as an above average LT.

Do I think Carolina got a good deal? Probably. I don't think Walker is that bad of a LT, but I don't mind that the Packers moved on from him.

The Panthers OL is a mess, right now. Yosh Nijman abruptly retired as their swing tackle. Their GM, Dan Morgan, replaced him with Stone Foresythe. Left tackle, Ikem Ikwonu, is out with a torn patellar tendon, so Morgan signed Walker as starting LT.

These are all short-term patches until they can figure out long-term moves. Walker has a chance to start at LT & prove himself in '26 and potentially get a huge, long term deal, either in Carolina or elsewhere.

 

[OldSchool101]

They are speculating a 6th Rd comp right now. Rasheed didn't finish the season strong, so that might be another reason for him not getting a multi year deal. This year is a critical season for him to up his stock for next year. He is betting on himself to do that.

Ok. I certainly could be wrong but Im not seeing it. I think last I looked he was the #28 ranked FA signings of 32 total. Theres only 32 spots. So if he’s a 6th there’s ZERO 7ths? FA isn’t done yet.

They also predicted Malik would be $30M and a RD3. Notice he’s well into RD4. I hope I’m wrong. I do know playing time will help players like Quay and Willis and possibly Rasheed but that’s a secondary impact

 

[tynimiller]

Sounds about right and I think the amount he got, the fact that its only a 1 year deal and how long it took for him to sign a deal, shows you that nobody looks at him as an above average LT.

Do I think Carolina got a good deal? Probably. I don't think Walker is that bad of a LT, but I don't mind that the Packers moved on from him.

There was very limited market however for LTs - a lot of openings unless rookies or resurgences happen next year it seems across the league.

 

[OldSchool101]

Packers (and most other teams) get some much needed help in NFL salary cap adjustment

Packers get a helpful salary cap boost that creates extra flexibility for Brian Gutekunst to improve the roster

NFL announced 2026 salary cap adjustments.

atozsports.com

That’s basically the cost of the Practice Squad, which will eventually become a factor later this year.

If I haven’t missed anything. Refactoring the signings to date…
After pulling a $6-7Mil in reserves and that approx $2mil applied towards the draft class, we should be somewhere in the
$11-13Mil area +- of open room.

 

[milani]

The Panthers OL is a mess, right now. Yosh Nijman abruptly retired as their swing tackle. Their GM, Dan Morgan, replaced him with Stone Foresythe. Left tackle, Ikem Ikwonu, is out with a torn patellar tendon, so Morgan signed Walker as starting LT.

These are all short-term patches until they can figure out long-term moves. Walker has a chance to start at LT & prove himself in '26 and potentially get a huge, long term deal, either in Carolina or elsewhere.

Of course, if their division can still remain a mess they can WIN the mess division.

 

[McKnowledge]

Sneed Release

Packers need to sign him immediately.

 

[Pkrjones]

Sneed Release

Packers need to sign him immediately.

Sneed is now 29, had a knee & quad injury in '24, then another quad injury in '25 after starting on PUP. Played in 12 out of 34 games over the last 2 years and is still rehabbing quad. If GB wanted a(nother) training room squatter they would've kept Alexander or Stokes. Imho, PASS.

 

[OldSchool101]

Sneed Release

Packers need to sign him immediately.

Only on a 1yr prove it “low risk” contract. 60% per game active or incentive laden with no more than $2-3Mil type guar tops.

He’s basically J’aire 3.0

I’m thinking GB will shy away from this type player after what happened with Dobbs and Banks and our overall injury list. I don’t want to make the same mistake 3X

 

[McKnowledge]

Sneed is now 29, had a knee & quad injury in '24, then another quad injury in '25 after starting on PUP. Played in 12 out of 34 games over the last 2 years and is still rehabbing quad. If GB wanted a(nother) training room squatter they would've kept Alexander or Stokes. Imho, PASS.

His price would be cheap. Not head case like Jaire. Better than Stokes. Age and injuries are general excuses for many players. If Green Bay took a flyer on Diggs why not Sneed?

 

[McKnowledge]

Only on a 1yr prove it “low risk” contract. 60% per game active or incentive laden with no more than $2-3Mil type guar tops.

He’s basically J’aire 3.0

I’m thinking GB will shy away from this type player after what happened with Dobbs and Banks and our overall injury list. I don’t want to make the same mistake 3X

No where close in proximity to the Jaire madness. I do like the 1 year deal with incentives.

 

[OldSchool101]

No where close in proximity to the Jaire madness. I do like the 1 year deal with incentives.

Maybe an exaggeration. Yet after some swinging and misses in FA last year, I’d shy away from good deals on more injury prone types or even players coming off injury. We’ve already got a stable of those types. Might need to hire more Doctors and PT help. Lol

 

[tynimiller]

His price would be cheap. Not head case like Jaire. Better than Stokes. Age and injuries are general excuses for many players. If Green Bay took a flyer on Diggs why not Sneed?

Hang on....better than Stokes? Maybe at one time but definitely not the last two years...Sneed feasted in his final two years at KC but has been a level which is insanely bad the last two years when he's been able to play.

I'm not opposed to it but I am not giving him more than league minimum with incentives on a one year deal. That is a wagon I don't want hitched to or for a lot.

 

[CarryTheG14]

Pending on the deal, I'm 1000% gambling on Sneed. We are piecing together a CB room, I want as many swings as possible.

 

[tynimiller]

I'd rather have Diggs honestly - he's better zone coverage guy and been better even though not good of late than Sneed....Sneed really truly has been terrible last two years.

 

[OldSchool101]

My thought would be we’re not in immediate threat but we need better depth and a plan post Valentine or Nixon.Both starters are FA’s in 2027. Ideally you Double up at CB in this draft. As far as need and future ideal would be RD3, RD5 something like that. I’m not sold on Bo Melton but I don’t mind him at WR6 and emergency CB7 in case several go down. Only way I’m going FA is on a 1yr prove it deal with minimal guarantee where we can literally walk away in August if another player is shining in Camp or Preseason.

The only other outside option is I’d trade Wicks for his CB equivalency.
A guy that would act a a pretty good CB3-4 type.

I really like this draft at WR in the middle rounds.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Where are they now?

A good summary of old and new Packers. I couldn't help but notice that they only resigned 1 starter, Sean Rhyan.

Signed with other teams​

• QB Malik Willis -- Miami Dolphins
• WR Romeo Doubs -- New England Patriots
• LB Quay Walker -- Las Vegas Raiders
• DE Kingsley Enagbare -- New York Jets
• OT Rasheed Walker -- Carolina Panthers
• OL Elgton Jenkins -- Cleveland Browns
• CB Nate Hobbs -- San Francisco 49ers
• RB Emanuel Wilson -- Seattle Seahawks
• S Zayne Anderson -- Miami Dolphins

Traded to other teams​

• DL Colby Wooden -- Indianapolis Colts
• DE Rashan Gary -- Dallas Cowboys

Re-signed by Packers​

• C Sean Rhyan
• RB Chris Brooks
• LB Nick Niemann
• OL Darian Kinnard
• TE Josh Whyle
• WR/CB Bo Melton
• DL Jonathan Ford
• LB Kristian Welch
• DE Brenton Cox Jr.
• OL Donovan Jennings
• CB Kamal Hadden

Acquired by Packers​

• LB Zaire Franklin
• CB Benjamin St-Juste
• WR/KR Skyy Moore
• DL Javon Hargrave

Still A Free Agent​

• TE John FitzPatrick
• DE Arron Mosby
• OL Lecitus Smith
• CB Trevon Diggs
• QB Clayton Tune

 

[milani]

Where are they now?

A good summary of old and new Packers. I couldn't help but notice that they only resigned 1 starter, Sean Rhyan.

Signed with other teams​

• QB Malik Willis -- Miami Dolphins
• WR Romeo Doubs -- New England Patriots
• LB Quay Walker -- Las Vegas Raiders
• DE Kingsley Enagbare -- New York Jets
• OT Rasheed Walker -- Carolina Panthers
• OL Elgton Jenkins -- Cleveland Browns
• CB Nate Hobbs -- San Francisco 49ers
• RB Emanuel Wilson -- Seattle Seahawks
• S Zayne Anderson -- Miami Dolphins

Traded to other teams​

• DL Colby Wooden -- Indianapolis Colts
• DE Rashan Gary -- Dallas Cowboys

Re-signed by Packers​

• C Sean Rhyan
• RB Chris Brooks
• LB Nick Niemann
• OL Darian Kinnard
• TE Josh Whyle
• WR/CB Bo Melton
• DL Jonathan Ford
• LB Kristian Welch
• DE Brenton Cox Jr.
• OL Donovan Jennings
• CB Kamal Hadden

Acquired by Packers​

• LB Zaire Franklin
• CB Benjamin St-Juste
• WR/KR Skyy Moore
• DL Javon Hargrave

Still A Free Agent​

• TE John FitzPatrick
• DE Arron Mosby
• OL Lecitus Smith
• CB Trevon Diggs
• QB Clayton Tune

I cannot see anyone signing the remaining free agents except for a bargain price.

 

[OldSchool101]

I cannot see anyone signing the remaining free agents except for a bargain price.

So what I was reading is since around the 2020 season, there’s this Cap balloon that’s been building.its not just GB it’s the league. Walker ran into this wall. Rasheeds comparative last year signed at over $20mil annual. Starting LT don’t grown on trees and especially young, healthy players. When LT hits a wall it’s a cause for concern. It’s quiet as a mouse lately and everyone’s waiting to see who will make a move.

The extra $5.6mil we just picked up was huge. There several teams ahead of us that picked up a huge chunk of $cap$ and there were 21 teams that were behind us. Several even added a couple Million$ negative. It’s a tight market except for a few select teams.

Yet after our draft class and eventual Practice Squad were talking around $14-15Mil. That’s not much when you consider we typically carry some positive $$ flow for an emergency signing. I’d sit and let the market settle. Real good chance if we want a bargain deal it’ll come.