2026 Off-Season Thread

[Oldcolt]

It is early but I cannot see how we have improved at all. We are now weaker at linebacker (hard to believe), wide receiver, have no swing tackle and still don't have a pass rusher. That a lot of stuff to address. Been here before many times with this particular group that runs us now, thought they had a plan and turned out there was none. I hope there is one now but I believe that there probably isn't (not trying to be negative but I have believed so many times before and was always disappointed).

[ChoppedWood]

Originally Posted by Oldcolt

It is early but I cannot see how we have improved at all. We are now weaker at linebacker (hard to believe), wide receiver, have no swing tackle and still don't have a pass rusher. That a lot of stuff to address. Been here before many times with this particular group that runs us now, thought they had a plan and turned out there was none. I hope there is one now but I believe that there probably isn't (not trying to be negative but I have believed so many times before and was always disappointed).

The linebacker group- oh my God that is poverty shit.

Ballard eats balls!

[Hoopsdoc]

Originally Posted by Oldcolt

It is early but I cannot see how we have improved at all. We are now weaker at linebacker (hard to believe), wide receiver, have no swing tackle and still don't have a pass rusher. That a lot of stuff to address. Been here before many times with this particular group that runs us now, thought they had a plan and turned out there was none. I hope there is one now but I believe that there probably isn't (not trying to be negative but I have believed so many times before and was always disappointed).

Hard to disagree with this. The only place we are objectively better is defensive tackle. Everything else is the same or worse.

[ChaosTheory]

Originally Posted by Hoopsdoc

Hard to disagree with this. The only place we are objectively better is defensive tackle. Everything else is the same or worse.

How you frame it in your mind matters. A lot of people will say, as they have in years past, that Ballard sat on his hands and didn't get any difference makers. Because for some reason, Free Agents don't count if they were on your team last year.

The more accurate framing is that you likely got the #1 QB and the #1 WR available in the '26 FA class. Just pretend one came from Cincinnati and one came from Tampa Bay if it helps. And to do stuff like that, you don't get to keep your other $20m+ WR.

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Anyway, to the substance of the point... I fucking hate losing Cross. As excited as I was for Wohler, that one will probably sting. Hopefully he's the rare type to be reliable right away.

LB is funny... Because it's simultaneously the biggest unknown and also one of the least worrisome positions to me personally. I guess it's the combination of ease of transition from college to pro, Lou's emphasis on DBs, and Ballard's track record at LB.

I think DL will be hammered in the draft. May luck into Grover's replacement, otherwise depth behind him and Buckner.

[Mr. Session]

Originally Posted by Oldcolt

It is early but I cannot see how we have improved at all. We are now weaker at linebacker (hard to believe), wide receiver, have no swing tackle and still don't have a pass rusher. That a lot of stuff to address. Been here before many times with this particular group that runs us now, thought they had a plan and turned out there was none. I hope there is one now but I believe that there probably isn't (not trying to be negative but I have believed so many times before and was always disappointed).

I see the same

I guess it makes the draft interesting. I don't know how they fill the holes either.