Top 10 Worst Contracts in NFL History

By Jason Bolton March 25, 2024 02:03

In the world of professional football, player contracts are often scrutinized based on their performance versus the actual payout.

Here, we present a comprehensive analysis of the top 10 worst contracts in NFL history, shedding light on the ramifications of these deals.

10) Matthew Stafford, QB, Los Angeles Rams

Contract Details: The Los Angeles Rams extended Matthew Stafford's contract to a four-year, $160 million deal, with $63 million guaranteed, running through the 2026 campaign.
Performance: Despite the Rams' Super Bowl win, the 2022 season saw them disintegrate, with Stafford's injury and poor performance contributing to their downfall.
Ramifications: The Rams are projected to be over the salary cap in 2023 and may struggle to exit Stafford's contract until 2024 or potentially 2025, making it a challenging situation for the team.

9) Jamal Adams, S, Seattle Seahawks

Contract Details: After acquiring Jamal Adams from the New York Jets, the Seahawks extended his contract, making him the NFL's highest-paid safety with an $18 million annual salary.
Performance: Adams' performance has not lived up to the expectations set by his lucrative contract, raising questions about the value he brings to the team.
Ramifications: The Seahawks are now facing the consequences of a highly-paid safety whose on-field contributions may not justify his contract.

8) Derek Carr, QB, New Orleans Saints

Contract Details: The New Orleans Saints signed Derek Carr to a four-year, $150 million deal with $60 million guaranteed, expecting a significant quarterback upgrade.
Performance: Carr's injuries and ineffective play have left the Saints questioning the value of his contract, especially in comparison to his on-field performance.
Ramifications: Despite Carr's struggles, the Saints are bound to his contract through 2024, unable to exit it without incurring a significant dead money hit.

7) Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, Las Vegas Raiders

Contract Details: The Las Vegas Raiders signed Jimmy Garoppolo to a three-year, $72.75 million contract, including $33.75 million in fully guaranteed money.
Performance: Garoppolo's underwhelming performance has left the Raiders regretting their decision to sign him to a lucrative deal, especially considering his struggles on the field.
Ramifications: The Raiders are poised to cut ties with Garoppolo next offseason, hoping to recoup some cash via offset language and alleviate the financial burden of his contract.

6) Russell Wilson, QB, Denver Broncos

Contract Details: The Denver Broncos acquired Russell Wilson in a trade and extended his contract to a five-year, $245 million deal, involving a substantial haul of draft picks.
Performance: While Wilson has shown promise, the Broncos' trade for him and the subsequent extension have been labeled as one of the worst in NFL history, especially given the team's performance.
Ramifications: The Broncos are facing challenges in potentially moving on from Wilson due to the financial implications of his contract, making it a daunting task for the team.

5) Daniel Jones, QB, New York Giants

Contract Details: The New York Giants signed Daniel Jones to a four-year, $160 million deal, despite his limited success at the NFL level.
Performance: Jones' on-field performance has failed to justify the massive contract, with injuries and poor statistics raising concerns about the value he brings to the team.
Ramifications: The Giants are now grappling with the repercussions of a contract that looks like a disaster, especially considering Jones' struggles and inability to deliver on the expectations set by his deal.

4) Christian McCaffrey, RB, Carolina Panthers

Contract Details: The Carolina Panthers made Christian McCaffrey the NFL's highest-paid tailback by annual average value with a contract extension of four years, $64 million with $30 million guaranteed.
Performance: McCaffrey's limited playing time due to injuries has raised questions about the wisdom of rewarding a running back with such a lavish contract, especially considering his inability to stay healthy.
Ramifications: The Panthers are now confronted with the challenge of dealing with a highly-paid running back who has been unable to stay on the field, making it a problematic situation for the team.

3) Javon Walker, WR, Oakland Raiders

Contract Details: The Oakland Raiders signed Javon Walker to a six-year, $55 million deal with $16 million guaranteed, despite his injury history and concerns about his conditioning.
Performance: Walker's injury issues and off-field incidents, including being beaten and robbed, led to a disappointing tenure with the Raiders, raising questions about the wisdom of the contract.
Ramifications: The Raiders faced a situation where they paid out a significant sum for limited on-field contributions, highlighting the challenges of managing contracts for underperforming players.

2) Jared Goff, QB, Detroit Lions

Contract Details: The Detroit Lions signed Jared Goff to a four-year deal, the specifics of which have not been provided in the sources.
Performance: Goff's struggles and the Lions' lack of success have brought his contract under scrutiny, especially given his inability to elevate the team's performance.
Ramifications: The Lions are now contending with the repercussions of a contract that may not align with Goff's on-field contributions, making it a challenging situation for the team.

1) Albert Haynesworth, DT, Washington

Contract Details: Washington signed Albert Haynesworth to a seven-year, $100 million deal with $41 million guaranteed, banking on his elite defensive capabilities.
Performance: Haynesworth's tenure with Washington was marred by issues with work ethic, conditioning, and clashes with the coaching staff, leading to a disappointing stint with the team.
Ramifications: Washington's decision to ink a massive deal with Haynesworth turned into a regrettable episode, highlighting the perils of offering exorbitant contracts to players with red flags in their track record.

The analysis of these 10 worst contracts in NFL history underscores the challenges faced by teams in managing player contracts, especially when the actual on-field performance fails to align with the financial investment made.

These contracts serve as cautionary tales, emphasizing the need for thorough evaluation and considerations when committing significant financial resources to players in the NFL.