
Nik Bonitto, Zach Allen, Brandon Jones, and Ja’Quan McMillian all played significant roles last season, and keeping them should be a priority. Bonitto showed flashes as a pass rusher, proving he can be a key part of the defense moving forward. Allen, a consistent force on the defensive line, provides versatility and solid play at a position where depth is crucial. Jones offers valuable experience and playmaking ability in the secondary, while McMillian stepped up when needed and proved to be a reliable corner. Losing these guys, especially after they contributed to last season’s success, would create holes that don’t need to exist.

Instead of chasing expensive, aging, or injury-prone players like Cooper Kupp or Deebo Samuel, the team should focus on retaining its core. Kupp, while still talented, is past 30 and has dealt with injuries in recent seasons. Deebo is electric when healthy, but that’s the problem—he’s frequently banged up and not worth the massive cap hit. Then there’s Taysom Hill, who is nothing more than a gadget player and certainly not worth the $10M+ price tag he commands. Investing in players like this would be a poor use of cap space, especially when there are more pressing needs and in-house players deserving of extensions.
Smart teams understand the value of continuity. Letting homegrown talent walk in favor of expensive free agents often backfires, as chemistry and system familiarity matter. The front office should focus on rewarding players who have developed within the system and performed at a high level rather than chasing flashy names who may not provide a long-term solution.
This isn’t Madden; financial discipline is key to sustained success. Look at the teams that stay competitive year after year—they build through the draft, retain their key players, and make calculated free-agent signings instead of overpaying for names past their prime.

The priority should be keeping the core intact, not chasing expensive names that don’t fit the team’s timeline or needs. If the front office is smart, they’ll lock up their own guys first before even thinking about big-money moves that could cripple future flexibility.
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