Worst Contracts In NFL History
When NFL teams pay big money to players they expect big time results. Sometimes, it goes the other way. These are the worst contracts in NFL history.
25. Le'Veon Bell- New York Jets (2019)
Le'Veon Bell held out for a whole season from the Steelers. Then he joined the Jets on a 4 year deal with $52.5 million. He was ineffective and was released after a season.
24. Todd Gurley- Los Angeles Rams (2018)
Gurley was maybe the best running back in 2017-18. So the Rams rewarded him with a 4 year deal with $60 million dollars at just the age of 24. A chronic knee condition hampered his productivity and was released just a year later.
23. Ryan Leaf- San Diego Chargers (1988)
Leaf was signed to a 4 year $31 million dollar rookie deal. Well he became quickly one of the worst busts in NFL history.
22. Sam Bradford- St. Louis Rams (2010)
Bradford had a huge rookie (the last one before the new wage scale), it was worth 6 years and $78 million dollars. The Rams thought they got a savior at QB. Bradford was wildly underwhelming.
21. LeCharles Bentley- Cleveland Browns (2006)
This was a nightmare scenario because of injuries. Bentley was a Pro Bowl center and signed a 6 year deal worth $36 million dollars. On the first play of training camp he blew out his knee.
20. Junior Galette- New Orleans Saints (2014)
Galette somehow went from a team captain to a catastrophe in a span of months. The pass rusher got a 4 year deal worth $41.5 million dollars from the Saints after a 12 sack season. He then clashed with front office and had off-field issues.
19. Donovan McNabb- Washington Redskins (2010)
This was a weird situation. The Redskins traded for McNabb and then despite some shaky play they gave him a 5 year extension worth $78 million dollars mid-season. He was benched that same season.
18. Javon Walker - Oakland Raiders (2008)
Well Al Davis loved to roll the dice with WRs, and Walker was one of those. He got a 6 year deal worth $55 million (just $16 million guaranteed). 8 games played total after the contract and was out of football in just 2 years.
17. Larry Brown- Oakland Raiders (1996)
He had a Super Bowl MVP performance for Dallas. So he cashed on a 5 year $12.5 million dollars deal (huge in 1996). The CB struggled in coverage and became one of the worst signing of the 90s.
16. Jeff George- Washington Redskins (2000)
Jeff George was a gunslinger and signed a 4 year deal to replace Brad Johnson at age 32. He went 1-7 as a starter and was cut the following season.
15. Andre Rison - Cleveland Browns (1995)
Andre Rison came off 5 straight 1k seasons. At the time the Browns made him the highest paid WR of all time at 5 years and $17 million dollars. He became an average WR at best with the Browns.
14. Matt Flynn- Seattle Seahawks (2012)
He had a few impressive spot starts behind Aaron Rodgers. So the Seahawks gave him a 3 year deal worth $20.5 million to be their new QB 1. Well, he got beat out by Russell Wilson in training camp and never started.
13. Jay Cutler- Chicago Bears (2014)
He had a mediocre tenure so far with the Bears up to that point. So the Bears rewarded him with a 7 year deal worth $126 million ($50m guaranteed). He led the NFL in turnovers that same season.
12. Carson Wentz- Philadelphia Eagles (2019)
Went got a 4 year deal worth $128 million ($107 million of it guaranteed). It looked sensible after his near MVP season. He was benched just a few seasons later for rookie Jalen Hurts.
11. Russell Wilson- Denver Broncos (2022)
Denver gave everything to Seattle for a chance to get Russell Wilson. He got a 5 year deal worth $245 million before even putting on a helmet. It back fired big time and was out of Denver just two seasons later.
10. Kenny Golladay- New York Giants (2021)
The Giants signed Golladay to a 4 year deal worth $72 million hoping he'd become their number 1 WR. He had just 521 yards in his first season in New York.
9. Nick Foles- Jacksonville Jaguars (2019)
He was fresh off a Super Bowl MVP run as he replaced a injured Carson Wentz. He got a year deal worth $88 million dollars. He struggled with injuries and play in Jacksonville.
8. Brock Osweiler- Houston Texans (2016)
The Texans were desperate for a QB. They gave Brock a 4 year deal worth $72 million dollars. He had more INTs than TDs and was benched in the first year of the contract.
7. Nnamdi Asomugha - Philadelphia Eagles (2011)
He was a shut down corner with the Raiders. So that earned him a 5 year deal worth $60 million with the Eagles. He never fit the scheme and they cut him 2012.
6. Michael Vick- Atlanta Falcons (2004)
He was fresh off a Pro Bowl and signed a deal that was huge at the time. 10 years, $130 million dollars that was going to make him a Falcon for life. But off-field trouble landed him in prison.
5. Percy Harvin- Seattle Seahawks (2013)
The Seahawks traded three draft picks and a 1st rounder for Harvin. He was rewarded right away with a 6 year deal worth $67 million dollar contract. It was a bold move for a often injured player. But clashes in the locker-room and inconsistency had Seattle dump in 2014 for a 6th round pick.
4. Aaron Hernandez- New England Patriots (2012)
In August 2012, the Patriots signed Hernandez to a 5 year deal worth $40 million dollars. Less than one year later he was arrested and charged with murder and never played again.
3. JaMarcus Russell- Oakland Raiders (2007)
Russell was drafted first overall. He held out and got a 6 year deal worth $39 million. He became one of the biggest busts in NFL history.
2. Albert Haynesworth- Washington Redskins (2009)
The deal was huge. 7 years and $100 million dollars. He was supposed to be a dominant defensive tackle but he clashed with coaches and management and was cut after just two seasons.
1. Deshaun Watson- Cleveland Browns (2022)
The Browns gave up a fortune of draft picks and gave Watson a 5 year deal worth $230 million and it was fully guaranteed. He already had off-field scandals. But his play on the field was diminished and he ever delivered for the Browns.