It would be too much to say I was “expecting” more, but I was certainly desiring more. I want an offseason consistent with Duke Tobin’s own pledge to take care of the big three and also add to the team. I want a free agency period that at least attempts to shore up holes in the roster before the draft.
They have no proven starting guard. They have an anemic pass rush, and if Trey is traded they may have the worst pass rush in the league. They have no interior pass rusher. Neither Cam Sample nor Joseph Ossai has demonstrated that they can be reliable starters on the edge. They still have a problem at starting linebacker (Pratt).
The team is not getting better unless their young players develop. That could happen, but banking on it to happen has routinely failed this franchise.
The draft can help, but they’re cornered into drafting major needs if they don’t sign some free agents. That leads to reaching (Billy Price) and increases the probability of failed replacements (Ogbuehi for Whitworth, Jonah Williams for Whitworth, Dax Hill for Bates, Jordan Battle for Bates — TBD on Jenkins/Jackson for Reader). Now we’re looking at the draft to replace Cappa, possibly to replace a first-team all pro edge rusher, and acquire even one interior pass rusher. They’re locked into these needs in the first few rounds to remain afloat OR they’re taking them late and almost guaranteeing a worse roster than 2024. It’s bad process.
There’s no guarantee that free agents solve these problems, but you have to try. Set yourself up for success.
Zeitler was worth a go. Scherff is worth a go. Jenkins is worth a go. Bare minimum. If there’s no decent guard signing soon, it’s a failure. Banking on a draft pick and/or Cody Ford is a terrible process. And get some insurance for Hendrickson regardless of where that drama leads (might be too late for this one, though an elder statesman like Calais Campbell would be better than nothing). They have enough cap space. They have enough cash on hand.