All free agent signings look great on paper, but many of them fall through. A select few of these signings have become infamous as lessons for today's general managers.
A number of NFL free agents will sign with new teams next week. Some of these contracts will lead to success for both the player and his new team. Unfortunately, once the situation is resolved, just as many signatures will be deemed unsuccessful.
It's safe to say that each of the NFL's 32 general managers hopes to one day avoid making a contract that will one day join the list of worst free agent contracts of all time.
10. RB Franco Harris (Seahawks): 1984
Harris, one of the best running backs of all time, signed with Seattle after a contract dispute with the Steelers. After rushing for over 1,000 yards in his final year in Pittsburgh, the Hall of Famer gained just 170 yards in eight games against the Seahawks.
The Patriots paid Brown $9 million for catching four passes for 56 yards and one touchdown per game. Off-field issues ultimately led the Patriots to quickly release the former All-Pro wideout after just one game. Brown then enjoyed brief success with Tampa Bay, but further problems led to his release.
8. Andre Rison (Browns): 1995
The cash-strapped Browns had to take out a loan to sign Rison, which at the time was the richest contract for a wide receiver in NFL history. Rison signed a five-year, $17 million deal, less than half of his goal in what was a disastrous year for both the Browns and him, who announced his move to Baltimore during the season.
Rison did not transfer to Baltimore, but won a Super Bowl with the Packers the following season.
7. Nnamdi Asomugha (Eagles): 2011
Asomugha signed a five-year, $60 million contract with the Eagles after three consecutive Pro Bowl seasons with the Raiders. His contract was one of the catalysts for then-Eagles backup quarterback Vince Young to declare for the Eagles. best team”.
Asomugha wasn't a terrible player from a statistical standpoint, but the Eagles' 12-20 record during his two seasons in Philadelphia branded the deal a major failure. He was released after the 2012 season.
After completing a career-high eight passes with the Patriots in 2021, Jackson signed a whopping five-year contract worth $82.5 million per year. However, his first season in Los Angeles was limited to just five games due to his injuries.
Jackson played in just two games for the Chargers in 2023 before being traded back to New England for a 2025 sixth-round pick. New England released him earlier this month.
Bell signed a four-year, $52.5 million contract with the Jets after missing the entire 2018 season due to contract issues. Bell, a two-time All-Pro with the Steelers, struggled to find his footing in New York. In his first season with the Jets, he averaged only 3.2 yards per carry. Bell appeared in just two games with the Jets before being released in 2020.
The Jaguars were hoping for more magic from Foles, a former Super Bowl MVP who signed a four-year, $91 million contract that included a franchise-record $50.125 million guaranteed. A broken collarbone, poor play and the emergence of Gardner Minshew ultimately ended Foles' uneventful four-game stint in Jacksonville.
3. S Adam Archuleta (Washington): 2006
Washington signed the former Rams first-round pick to a six-year, $30 million deal, making him the highest-paid safety in NFL history. However, Archuleta started just seven games for Washington before being traded to the Bears in 2007.
This is one of the worst free agent acquisitions of all time, and for good reason. Golladay was a Pro Bowler with the Lions in 2019, was injured for much of the 2020 season, and signed a four-year, $72 million contract with the Giants in 2021. He caught just 43 passes in two seasons with the Giants, but the Giants released him. The last offseason.
1. DT Albert Hainsworth (Washington): 2009
Washington signed the two-time All-Pro to a seven-year, $100 million contract, a decision he quickly regretted. In his first year in Washington, Hainsworth publicly questioned the coaching staff, but he did not live up to expectations. The conflict between Haynesworth and the coaching staff continued in 2010, as did his poor performance. Haynesworth was traded to the Patriots in 2011.
