NFL Free Agents That Give Us DEJA VU

Sayings become sayings for a reason. A particular favorite for us here (or at least for the person writing this description)? History does not repeat, but it does rhyme. So, what free agency signings in the recent past might rhyme with, say, 2026 Jamel Dean or Alec Pierce or Trey Hendrickson. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman remember some guys and project ahead to next week on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.

0:00 Welcome to the show
2:45 Trent McDuffie traded to Los Angeles Rams
4:05 Impact on Quentin Lake, Kam Curl
5:35 Good deal for Kansas City Chiefs?
11:28 Matching 2026 free agents with past signings
12:05 Connor McGovern & Drew Dalman
13:47 Dylan Parham & Connor McGovern
15:03 Kamren Curl & Cam Bynum
16:15 2026 Safety class
17:40 Who is the best safety in 2026 class?
19:06 Jamel Dean & James Bradberry
20:42 Jamel Dean & Carlton Davis
21:57 New England Patriots release Stefon Diggs
23:57 Alec Pierce to the Patriots?
24:37 Alec Pierce better fit with Patriots or Tennessee Titans?
26:33 Why Alec Pierce has no perfect comp
27:27 “Back in my day…”
28:42 Alec Pierce & Kenny Golladay
29:41 Alec Pierce & Sammy Watkins
31:38 Alec Pierce & Mike Wallace
33:10 Romeo Doubs & Jakobi Meyers
33:39 Romeo Doubs & Corey Davis
35:54 What if Romeo Doubs gets an insane contract?
37:23 Jauan Jennings & Allen Robinson
38:36 Cade Mays & Ryan Jensen
41:06 Robert is mean
41:44 Cade Otton & Robert Spillane
42:09 Just watch Robert’s face (Chef Klassen)
43:37 The Jake Ferguson bar for Cade Otton
45:12 Cade Otton to Titans?
45:34 Cade Otton to Broncos?
45:52 Cade Otton to Eagles?
46:53 The right price for a blocking tight end
47:39 Boye Mafe & Dorance Armstrong
48:24 Boye Mafe & Andrew Van Ginkel
50:10 Tariq Woolen & Trae Waynes
52:07 Trey Hendrickson & DeMarcus Ware
55:21 Devin Lloyd & Patrick Queen
55:39 Devin Lloyd & Tremaine Edmunds
58:12 Quay Walker & Foye Oluokun
59:14 Devin Bush & Demario Davis
1:01:35 Isaac Seumalo & Kevin Zeitler
1:01:51 Rashid Shaheed & John Brown
1:02:59 Wan’Dale Robinson & Russell Gage

For more Athletic Football Show content:
- Join The Athletic Football Show Discord Server: discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow
- Follow The Athletic Football Show wherever you listen to podcasts: podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view
- Twitter: x.com/TA_FootballShow
- IG: instagram.com/tafootballshow
- TikTok: tiktok.com/@tafootballshow
- .com/footballshow

Thumbnail: © Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images - USA TODAY Sport via Imagn Images