Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[F Gump]

The only players absolutely on the books, even as soon as next season, are: PJW, Gafford, Flagg, Morez, and Sergio. Everyone else has options (Player/Team) or is a FA (Restricted/Unrestricted).

This ^ leaves an impression that there is likely to be "massive cap room, few roster spots filled" as we enter next summer, and to me that looks VERY unlikely,

You have 5 above. At least a few, and perhaps most, of the 6 options (7 if you count Cisse's NG year) are likely to be exercised, and a declined option doesn't mean the player leaves - some or most may be re-signed. 

Klay will definitely be a UFA, Naji too, but Lively and Sasser will be RFA with a decent chance of being retained. IF you have about the same roster only without Klay/Naji, that only loses 26M in salary. After other raises kick in, they would still be over the cap with the rest.

Yes, they CAN hack and slice the roster, where they have a barebones crew that remains, but just doesn't seem likely to me at all.