“The Free Agent Class Sucks”
March 8th, 2026
Pending Bucs free agent defensive lineman Logan Hall is expected to cash in.
Longtime NFL insider Albert Breer, a guy who has shown he has a pipeline into One Buc Palace and the phones of general managers across the league, thinks tomorrow’s kickoff of free agency will launch an underwhelming year for buying talent.
“The free agent class sucks,” Breer said on his MMQB show for Sports Illustrated.
“I think it’s not good, yeah. I think it’s just we’re at the point there where the salary cap has escalated into an area where if you want to keep a guy, you can keep a guy.”
Breer cited as examples how Colts receiver Alex Pierce and versatile Broncos defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers are about to strike massive deals without being elite threats.
Joe found the Breer commentary intriguging because Breer is not a hot-take guy and because he’s likely parroting what he heard from team excecutives two weeks ago at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Breer also referenced how the upcoming NFL Draft is so deep in edge rushers and receivers that the free agency market will be affected as a result at the position. Conversely, Breer said, running back is relatively weak in the draft, so teams will pounce on RBs in free agency. Her cited the Lions already trading RB David Montgomery to the Texans for a package of draft picks as an example.
Bucs running back Rachaad White, defensive lineman Logan Hall and tight end Cade Otton are all projected to have competitive markets in free agency this week, meaning multiple teams will be willing to pay them starter money. Otton, White and Hall were all drafted by the Bucs in 2022, but are they irreplaceable talents?
Joe sort of agrees with Breer that 2026 free agency is a relatively weak class. Lots of flawed players are on the market, but every free agency is loaded with opportunity.
The challenge is simple. Pick the right guys.
March 8th, 2026 at 8:23 am
I think White and Ottom need to be re-signed.
March 8th, 2026 at 8:30 am
Otton is average at best Rachaad is a JAG
March 8th, 2026 at 8:47 am
Either re-sign Otton or sign Isaiah Likely, whoever is less expensive. Even if Likely is $1 mil more per year, grab him.
Sign Tyler Allgeier to replace White. Bucky can play all three downs and who knows? Maybe Allgeier is a better receiver than people think, although he will cost a coupe million more per year than White. White’s projected salary has tanked in recent weeks ($2-5 million/yr), so you never know, he may be back. Likewise, Tucker probably won’t get a ton of suitors, so he may be re-signed.
Either keep Hall if he is the cheapest or replace him with John Franklin-Myers or a one year BandAid, Calais Campbell. Better still, draft a stud defensive end/tackle with pick #15.
March 8th, 2026 at 9:03 am
If your Goal is to get to the Superbowl sign Likely, if not sign Otton.
March 8th, 2026 at 9:04 am
Hilarious! Using Logan Hall’s pic next to this title is rough!
đ đ¤Ł
March 8th, 2026 at 9:06 am
you say the FA market sucks. this defense sucks. pick your poison.
March 8th, 2026 at 9:07 am
ravens nailed it getting crosby. bucs arent in win now mode so understandable they passed
March 8th, 2026 at 9:09 am
Leo Chenel – quincy williams – brian robinson – charlie kolar – id be happy if we start there and all realistic additions
March 8th, 2026 at 9:12 am
I would consider re-signing Hall if the price isn’t too steep.
He would be fine as a back-up/rotational player (not a starter).
We spent the past 4 seasons developing this guy and he has put on size and his grades have improved every season.
Decent D-lineman don’t just grow on trees and I would rather have Hall back and let Gains go.
You can’t replace everyone and fill all the holes on this defense in just one off season…
March 8th, 2026 at 9:16 am
Yep itâs nonsense because Cade yep because Cade Otten is is not worth 10-12 million, yaya will probably make close to 20 million next year and thatâs ridiculous.
March 8th, 2026 at 9:34 am
Nutterbuccer is spot on with his linebackers.
Iâd include the edge guy from Buffalo- AJ Epenesa.
March 8th, 2026 at 9:36 am
I think weâre back to the days of the Bucs having to overpay for overrated free agents, thanks to the Bucs having a lousy HC and terrible defense.
March 8th, 2026 at 10:28 am
Another excuse for Licht to do nothing.
March 8th, 2026 at 10:34 am
Edmunds, Chenal, Paye. I’d get them all We need 2 stud ILBs to make this convoluted defense work. David hid a lot of Todd’s scheme flaws. I know Paye is not a sexy edge pick, but he is a good contain guy, which I think would pair nicely with Kancey rushing. That is, if Kancey ever plays a full season. And as many have already said, base 4-3, and get your beast IDL in the draft. Logan, imo, is the interiors version of Nelson…a backup, a good backup, but a backup
March 8th, 2026 at 10:35 am
Plus, 2 good ILBs, may make AWJ look great again
March 8th, 2026 at 11:17 am
This FA class may very well stink, as Breer says.
Our biggest challenge is Jason Licht’s preference to go bargain basement shopping.
March 8th, 2026 at 11:38 am
Perhaps Jason and Todd can call Vrabel for insight how to transform a team in ONE off-season.
Hall has been here 4 years and averages 2.5 sacks per year. This doesn’t scream $$$
Otton has drop issues, very poor blocker. He’s average at best. Doesn’t scream $$$
Todd’s loyalty to his players and coaches makes it hard to cut under performance players. I expect both these players back, higher cost and no better results.
March 8th, 2026 at 12:09 pm
75% of comments on here… The Bucs suck, all their moves sucks, The (insert team who made move here) did a great job and the Bucs missed out, The Bucs need to fire Owner, GM, HC all the way down to the parking attendants. If the Bucs did everything I want they will still suck…
If the Bucs had a perfect season and won the Super Bowl some people would be mad that they allowed a single touchdown during the season.
I have followed the Bucs since 1976 while a wee lad in Seffner and lived through some serious droughs of many years and/or decade! Ya the Bucs have made mistakes and last year was heartbreaking and I don’t agree with some stuff. Think owners care, GM does a darn good job especially navigating the post Brady years except at edge rusher(?) and while I don’t like Todd coming back I am not going to burn my Winslow jersey, oh wait I did do that, I will see how this year goes as every issue we have can be addressed. If Todd doesn’t take us to the promised land next year or close then he can walk the plank.
Ok done on toilet and soap box.
Go Bucs! Win another SB for us.
March 8th, 2026 at 12:09 pm
At least Otton, White and Hall don’t spend all their time in the tub. They should test the market. So should the Bucs. If the market gives them the diss we can re-sign them. If the market overpays, let them go. Kancey will join them in FA soon if he can’t stay on the field. Tweener too small for where we play him. Maybe move him to edge?
March 8th, 2026 at 12:15 pm
Signing Evans means Otten and hopefully LVD are gone.
March 8th, 2026 at 12:22 pm
Everything is Bakers fault. Hey Heavy E and Onielbuc letâs go get an even shorter no good Quarterback Kylie Murray or trade For Sam Darnold on his Fifth team which is one team more than shorty on his fourth. We can do this! Get an even shorter quarterback or one that has been on even more teams.
March 8th, 2026 at 12:33 pm
The FA group is strongest at edge and ILB- both things we NEED.
Lucky us!
March 8th, 2026 at 12:53 pm
Logan HallâŚanother Blue Licht SpecialâŚa tricky trade-back from 1st round to early 2nd. A tweenerâŚyou rarely hear his name mentioned for tackles let alone âsplashâ plays. ButâŚLicht does love re-signing/re-upping his draft picksâŚlogically or not. Proves his genius.
March 8th, 2026 at 1:10 pm
In an attempt to be fairâŚI looked back at the 2022 draft. The pick the Bucs traded to JaxâŚturned into LB Devin Lloyd. Admittedly White and David had things locked downâŚbut Lloyd might be a shade better than Slogan Hall.
March 8th, 2026 at 1:33 pm
I got no problem bringing Otton back as long as the Bucs don’t overpay.. He can fix the short comings in his game if he’s a hard worker & I think he is. But even a improved Ohttton is just a bit a bove average but still serviceable & a team guy. Same deal with White , as long as his agent l keeps it real hes a good enough backup & his game is improving. Hall just hasn’t shown enough improvement or development in 4 years, I think we can get more bang for their bucks in the draft or FA . Draft Allen or a D- lineman at 15 take Delp on day 2 any GEORGIA player is worth a pick as far as the work ethic goes. Hope our GM stays away from his bargain basement ways. We need players who have played tough competition and not alot of development guys. IMO GO BUCS!!!!
March 8th, 2026 at 1:35 pm
Stpetematt … ‘The FA group is strongest at edge and ILB- both things we NEED.’
There are 725 free agents this year, of which 606 are Unrestricted FAs. That’s an average of 19 UFAs per each of the 32 teams. That’s pretty much in line with what the Bucs have (21 UFAs & 3 ERFAs).
By my estimate, Bucs will need to sign 13 FAs this off-season to go with their 7 draft picks. I would think that any competent GM could find 13 quality FAs out of 606 UFAs available on the market. Just a guess though.
March 8th, 2026 at 1:36 pm
Vanessa Anne … ‘Our biggest challenge is Jason Lichtâs preference to go bargain basement shopping.’
B-I-N-G-O !!!
March 8th, 2026 at 1:55 pm
@Pwiddy, I enjoyed your post and opinion.
March 8th, 2026 at 2:02 pm
Hall was in the top third of most things defensive-lineman last year, he’s a guy you want on your team (at the right price, of course))
March 8th, 2026 at 2:31 pm
all 3 of those guys…otton, white and hall potentially can go on to have a 10 year nfl career…
literally none of them suck
March 8th, 2026 at 4:29 pm
losing white is going to hurt
March 8th, 2026 at 7:30 pm
Jake Tonges please.should be had for 6 to 7 mil per. I like this guy.
Has upside.