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What was the worst contract in NFL history? We break down 10 contracts that were horrible

What was the worst contract in NFL history? We break down 10 contracts that were horrible
What was the worst contract in NFL history? We break down 10 contracts that were horrible

The NFL is a copy-cat league, and it has been proven that teams will sometimes swing to the fences to land a player they feel can help get them over the hump. Most of the time, the quarterback is the highest player on a teams roster, but that is not always the case. We wanted to break down 10 player contracts that were atrocious, and the only person happy about them was the players and agents.

Here are some examples of contracts that have been widely regarded as among the worst in NFL history:

  1. JaMarcus Russell (QB) – Russell was the first overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders. He signed a massive six-year, $68 million contract with $31 million guaranteed. However, he struggled with weight issues, poor work ethic, and lackluster performances, leading to his release after just three seasons.
  2. Albert Haynesworth (DT) – In 2009, the Washington Redskins signed Haynesworth to a seven-year, $100 million contract with $41 million guaranteed. However, he underperformed and clashed with coaches, leading to his eventual trade to the New England Patriots after just two seasons.
  3. Brock Osweiler (QB) – Osweiler signed a four-year, $72 million contract with the Houston Texans in 2016 after a brief stint as Peyton Manning’s backup in Denver. He struggled with inconsistent play and was eventually traded to the Cleveland Browns after just one season.
  4. Mike Glennon (QB) – In 2017, the Chicago Bears signed Glennon to a three-year, $45 million contract to be their starting quarterback. However, the Bears drafted Mitchell Trubisky shortly after, making Glennon expendable after one season.
  5. Ndamukong Suh (DT) – Suh signed a six-year, $114 million contract with the Miami Dolphins in 2015, making him the highest-paid defensive player at the time. Despite solid play, his contract was considered burdensome for the Dolphins’ salary cap, leading to his release after three seasons.
  6. Brock Osweiler (again) – After being traded to the Cleveland Browns, the Browns eventually released Osweiler before the start of the 2017 season. However, the Browns still had to absorb his $16 million guaranteed salary.
  7. Sam Bradford (QB) – In 2016, the Philadelphia Eagles signed Bradford to a two-year, $36 million contract extension with $22 million guaranteed. However, he failed to live up to expectations, and the Eagles eventually traded him to the Minnesota Vikings.
  8. Matt Flynn (QB) – After a standout performance as Aaron Rodgers’ backup with the Green Bay Packers, Flynn signed a three-year, $26 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks in 2012. However, he lost the starting job to Russell Wilson and was eventually released.
  9. Darrelle Revis (CB) – Revis signed a five-year, $70 million contract with the New York Jets in 2015, but his performance declined significantly, and the Jets released him after two seasons.
  10. DeAngelo Hall (CB) – Hall signed a six-year, $54 million contract with the Washington Redskins in 2009, but injuries and inconsistent play led to his release in 2013.

These contracts are often cited as cautionary tales in the NFL, reminding teams to carefully assess players’ performances, potential, and fit with their schemes before committing significant financial resources.

What team do you feel had the worst contract in NFL history? I would love to know if they made our list!

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