Feb 12, 2026
3 min read
The Seahawksâ Rashid Shaheed and Coltsâ Alec Pierce are two wide receivers to watch this season.Plus, how the Eagles are building under Kevin Stefanski and many others around the league.
Albert Breer's Mailbag: How the Bills Helped Josh Allen in Free Agency
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- Buffalo Bills
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I'm back home after Super Bowl LX and we have a lot of questions to answer.so here we are...
From Ryan (@RJNYY0): What are the Bills doing to address the WR room?Could a trade proposal be in the cards?
Ryan, at this point I think the Cowboys will mark George Pickens.That leaves two players who would be at the top of my list if I were a contending team like the Bills looking for free agents.
One of them is 27-year-old Seahawks receiver Rashid Shaheed.He could be a natural fit for Josh Allen, a strong threat who can weaponize Allen's ability to push the ball downfield. Shahid has never experienced a 60-catch or 750-yard season, but the potential that comes from his game-breaking ability is tantalizing. Before joining the Seahawks midway through this season, he wasn't very consistent at the quarterback position.
The other would be 25-year-old Colts receiver Alec Pierce, who has 47 catches, 1,003 yards (that's a 21.3-yard average) and six touchdowns this year in 15 games.That's after a seven-touchdown, 37-catch, 824-yard season (22.3-yard average) in 2025, with a truly challenging quarterback situation.Add Pierce's 6'3", 211-pound frame into the equation and how he fits in with Khalil Shakir and Dalton Kincaid, and he'd be the guy for me.
We'll see what happens, but adding Pierce to Shaquille, Kinkaid, Keon Coleman, Dawson Knox, and James Cook will put Allen in a good position.
From Rahtid (@bloodclaat416): What happened to James Pierce Jr. Next year?Do the Falcons keep Kyle Pitts?Where does that leave Tyler Allgeier?Kevin Stefanski brings David Njoku to the ATL?????
Rahtid, the details of Pierce's arrest are horrific.He will undoubtedly have his day in court, but given the information we now have on his five felony charges, I think the Falcons will have to act like they haven't wanted him in a long time.And while we haven't had a chance to hear his story, Pierce was cut by multiple teams last April due to a series of character questions, which is part of the reason the Falcons selected Jalon Walker ahead of him.
Kyle Pitts had a fantastic breakout season – rushing for 928 yards and five scores on 88 catches – that few people saw coming.After him there will be teams.He could be a good replacement for Travis Kelce in Kansas City if the veteran retires retires.The Buccaneers could also be an interesting destination, and now former Atlanta OC Zach Robinson is there.And if the Pats become too expensive, then of course David Njoku would be an option.
As for Tyler Allgeier, I think he's gone and will be getting a nice payday somewhere.It's not like the Falcons don't like Allgeier, but there is a mega contract on the horizon for Bijan Robinson.However, I think it's hard to predict a landing spot for him because I put him behind Breece Hall and Kenneth Walker III in free agency.
New York Giants
From Spinal (@GucciSpinal): How much of John Harbaugh will immediately fix the Giants' offense with Jaxson Dart?
Back, I don't think that's an outrageous amount of pressure.He's not an arrow picker, so there's a bit of leeway there.That doesn't mean he doesn't develop darts or isn't his best dart shooter.He will do it and it will be.It's a little different if the player isn't your choice.
I like how the staff is shaping up that will work on developing the young quarterback.Clearly, there is pressure on Matt Nagy as the play-caller.But his experience in the passing game, combined with what former Titans coach Brian Callahan will bring to the table and Greg Roman's running game, offers the potential for some really interesting things.To get an idea of what he'll be like, take a look at Alex Smith and the 2017 Chiefs.
Dart has a good second year in my opinion.
Los Angeles Chargers
From M (@MattOfTheSouth): Rashon Slater's injury was a high-profile return, what do we think his best chances are to return and will he be ready for training camp?
First, M, yes, a torn patellar tendon is a serious injury in a large person.It affects your strength, explosiveness and leg pushing ability.So you can just go back, but going back will be a question worth pursuing.Rookie Josh Simmons has had an incredible comeback from last year's injury.Injured in mid-October He missed a day of training camp before the start of Week 1, but was ruled out.It usually takes a full year for guys to come back from this one.
The good news is that Slater's injury occurred so early – he went down on August 7 last summer – that he should be lucky to be at or near full strength for camp.So, regarding the severity of the injury, it's fair to be cautiously optimistic that the Chargers will have a fully healthy tackle tandem of Slater and Joe Alt ready for Opening Day.
From George Hiotis (@Hiotis4Life): What do you think the Bengals will do with Trey Hendrickson and will they go after the No. 1 free agents on defense?
George, I would be very surprised if Hendrickson is back in Cincinnati next year.The Bengals paid him a lot, up to $29 million last year, and he played in just seven games, and there were serious questions about how much he could do to overcome injuries.(Especially when paired with the likes of Joe Burrow trying to come back from his leg injury earlier in the season.)
And yes, I could see the Bengals aggressively pursuing free agents on defense.Should Hendrickson leave, it would make a lot of sense to get hold of someone like Eagles free agent Jaelan Phillips.A free agent safety, like Seattle's Coby Bryant or Kansas City's Bryan Cook, would also do.We'll see if they get ownership to commit to spending to add a unit with some promising young pieces (Shemar Stewart, DJ Turner II and Demetrius Knight Jr.).
From Burghie (@houseofburgh412): How was the Steelers offseason?
I'd say the first thing the Steelers need to do is know what their general direction is and when it's time to start breaking up.Some saw the signing of Mike McCarthy as a sign that the Rooneys did not want to rebuild, or at least not now, who can make decisions about the colors of their old players, and perhaps have confidence in how they will assemble the squad for 2026.
Along those lines, Pittsburgh's first order of business is to get advice from Aaron Rodgers on his plans for this year.If he doesn't come back, it appears that getting a quarterback is on the list.If so, the Steelers can secure a running back like Hall or Walker, or a corner.
Las Vegas Raiders
From Raiders Got Fernando (@Raidersareback2): Raiders coaching staff names?
On offense, my guess is that Clint Kubiak will bring in Seahawks running backs coach Andrew Janok.Janoko was the QBs coach in all three of Kubiak's stops as offensive coordinator and made the move to become OC.The only thing I see against that move is if Mike McDonald gives Janoko a chance to call the plays in Seattle.In that case, I guess Kubiak is in Vegas.He is turning to Seahawks punter John Benton to be his coordinator.
It's a little more complicated on the defensive side of the ball.The Raiders are listening to Jim Schwartz, but Schwartz seems likely to sit for a year, and Vic Fangio will likely retire after 2026, leaving the Eagles' DC job open at 27.
With Schwartz unavailable, Chiefs defensive line coach Joe Cullen, Seahawks passing game coordinator Karl Scott, Browns linebackers coach Jason Tarver and Vegas' own defensive backs coach Joe Woods (who I've heard is likely to stay on in some capacity) are DC names on Kubiak's radar.
Texans assistant coach Dino Vasso was also on the list before signing a new contract in Houston.
By BurnieWilliams ( @BurnieWilliams ) Maxx Crosby doesn't want to be traded, but wouldn't the Rams be the most efficient if he wants out? The Rams are trying to make one last run with Matt Stafford.Maxx is building his dream in Vegas and going to LA will put him close.
I'm not sure that Aries makes sense.They have to make a decision about paying Byron Young this year.He had 12 sacks, is in his fourth year, and plays next to star running back Jared Verse, who will be eligible for the Rams' second major league deal of the year.So, while you never say never, I think the Rams have other areas (like cornerback) they want to address first.
That said, there are plenty of teams that have reason to be suitors for Crosby.Including two Super Bowl teams.You're right, he'll cost a first-rounder and then some.
From BunchaNumbers ( @Gusdabearzfan ): Who will start at left tackle for the Bears next year?
Buncha, this is a tough one. Would you re-sign Braxton Jones? Would you look for someone like Rasheed Walker in free agency? Unfortunately, Ozzy Trapilo should be the easy answer to this question. The 2025 rookie has done well enough that he could have been designated as a backup and maybe even a long-term option in left field before he ruptured his patellar tendon.
Now?Well, you can go back to what we said above about Slater.Those injuries are tough, and since he was injured in January, it would be hard to count on him getting much from Trapil in his second season.
Given all of this, the Bears' best bet may be to acquire a left tackle with the 25th pick in the draft.
From Brandon (@JayDanielsMVP): Are the Chiefs seeing aggressive spending in free agency because they want to get younger?
Yes, Brandon, I hope the commanders are active.They have a lot of free agents, a lot of senior players who could leave, Jayden Daniels is in the middle of a new contract, and there is pressure on a coaching staff that has undergone a lot of changes at the end of the 2025 season.
With the addition of new coordinator Daronte Jones and the addition of many key players on the field, the defense could look a lot different.
New York Jets
Paul Andrew Esden Jr. (@Boygren25): Is Derek Carr and Bill Musgrave reuniting with the Jets on the table?If so, what would New York have to give up in trade compensation to acquire?What is the timeline for this possible event?
I don't know what the trade company is, but it will probably happen between now and the start of the new league year in March.Carr's leverage to force a trade coming back from retirement will have serious cap implications, and will only, I think, force the Saints to play ball with someone on the move.
I don't think Carr would do it for any team.Bringing him to the Jets could be interesting.Although he is at the topof the Jets' 2023 roster and could get there if Rodgers doesn't go.
New England Patriots
From Dave Del Rio (@CelticsBeam): Move Will Campbell to LG, re-sign or sign LT and move Jared Wilson to C?
I think Wilson might move to center.I also think the Patriots will move forward with Campbell at left tackle, though I think they'll stay loose on any potential picks at that position.Campbell is a great player, but the truth is that many people have seen him as a guard since before last year's draft.Could he be a Jake Matthew type of left tackle?Sure.And that gives New England some flexibility.
They can go forward with Campbell there and upgrade at guard.Or they could get a big game hunter and lefty, and move Campbell in (and many people who think he's a guard believe he has All-Pro potential at that position).
My guess is that in the long run they will be determined by the opportunities that are presented to them, which is the right way to go about it.
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Albert Breer is a senior writer covering the NFL for Sports Illustrated, bringing you the biggest stories and latest news from across the league. He has been in the NFL since 2005 and joined in 2016. Breer began his career covering the New England Patriots for the MetroWest Daily News and the Boston Herald from 2005 to 2007, then covered the Dallas Cowboys for the Dallas Morning News from 2007 to 2008. Heworked at Sporting News from 2008 to 2009 and returned to Massachusetts in 2009 as national NFL editor for NFL.Globe in Boston.From 2010 to 2016, Breer served as a national reporter for NFL Network. In addition to his work with Sports Illustrated, Breer appears regularly on NBC Sports Boston, 98.5 Boston's Sports Hub, FS1 with Colin Cowherd, The Rich Eisen Show and The Dan Patrick Show. Bria, a 2002 graduate of Ohio State University, lives near Boston with his wife, a cardiac intensive care nurse at Children's Hospital Boston, andtheir three children.
