As the NFL offseason is in full swing, fans and analysts eagerly engage in the annual ritual of scrutinizing contracts to determine the league’s most undesirable deals. The 2023 season is no exception, with several players drawing attention for their hefty salaries and lackluster performance on the field. This blog post embarks on the task of ranking the 10 worst contracts in the NFL ahead of the upcoming season. Our assessment will be guided by multiple factors, including the player’s salary, productivity, and age, providing an insightful exploration of these detrimental agreements.
10 Worst Contracts in NFL
In this article, we delve into the perplexing realm of NFL contracts to identify and rank the 10 most unfavorable deals on the current landscape. Our evaluation considers essential metrics such as player salary, on-field production, and the influence of age on their performance. With these factors in mind, we illuminate the burdensome contracts that are holding back their respective teams from achieving greater success in the 2023 season.
Darious Williams, CB, Jacksonville Jaguars
- AAV: $14.5 million
- Years: 5
- Signed: 2022
- Williams is a good cornerback, but he’s not worth $14.5 million per year. He’s only had one Pro Bowl season, and he’s not a shutdown corner. This contract is going to be a major anchor for the Jaguars’ salary cap for the next five years.
Ronnie Stanley, OT, Baltimore Ravens
- AAV: $23.5 million
- Years: 6
- Signed: 2020
- Stanley is a great left tackle, but he’s coming off a season-ending injury. He’s also 28 years old, so there’s no guarantee that he’ll be able to stay healthy for the duration of this contract. This is a risky deal for the Ravens, and it could come back to haunt them.
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Ryan Tannehill, QB, Tennessee Titans
- AAV: $38 million
- Years: 4
- Signed: 2022
- Tannehill is a good quarterback, but he’s not worth $38 million per year. He’s only had one Pro Bowl season, and he’s not a top-five quarterback in the NFL. This contract is going to be a major burden for the Titans’ salary cap for the next four years.
C.J. Mosley, LB, New York Jets
- AAV: $17 million
- Years: 5
- Signed: 2019
- Mosley is a good linebacker, but he’s not worth $17 million per year. He’s only had one Pro Bowl season, and he’s not a dominant force in the middle of the field. This contract is going to be a major anchor for the Jets’ salary
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Taysom Hill, Utility, New Orleans Saints
- AAV: $12 million
- Years: 4
- Signed: 2022
- Hill is a versatile player, but he’s not worth $12 million per year. He’s not a great quarterback, he’s not a great running back, and he’s not a great receiver. This contract is going to be a major burden for the Saints’ salary cap for the next four years.
Jamal Adams, S, Seattle Seahawks
- AAV: $17.5 million
- Years: 5
- Signed: 2019
- Adams is a good safety, but he’s not worth $17.5 million per year. He’s only had one Pro Bowl season, and he’s not a dominant force in the secondary. This contract is going to be a major anchor for the Seahawks’ salary cap for the next five years.
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Jonnu Smith, TE, New England Patriots
- AAV: $12.5 million
- Years: 4
- Signed: 2020
- Smith is a good tight end, but he’s not worth $12.5 million per year. He’s only had one Pro Bowl season, and he’s not a top-five tight end in the NFL. This contract is going to be a major burden for the Patriots’ salary cap for the next four years.
Chandler Jones, Edge, Las Vegas Raiders
- AAV: $17.5 million
- Years: 5
- Signed: 2020
- Jones is a good pass rusher, but he’s not worth $17.5 million per year. He’s only had one Pro Bowl season, and he’s not a dominant force off the edge. This contract is going to be a major anchor for the Raiders’ salary cap for the next five years.
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Matthew Stafford, QB, Los Angeles Rams
- AAV: $40 million
- Years: 4
- Signed: 2021
- Stafford is a good quarterback, but he’s not worth $40 million per year. He’s only had one Pro Bowl season, and he’s not a top-five quarterback in the NFL. This contract is going to be a major burden for the Rams’ salary cap for the next four years.
Russell Wilson, QB, Denver Broncos
- AAV: $45 million
- Years: 4
- Signed: 2022
- Wilson is a great quarterback, but he’s not worth $45 million per year. He’s only had one MVP season, and he’s not a top-two quarterback in the NFL. This contract is going to be a major burden for the Broncos’ salary cap for the next four years.
Conclusion
With keen scrutiny and comprehensive evaluation, we’ve identified and ranked the 10 worst contracts in the NFL ahead of the 2023 season. These deals burden their respective teams with overpaid and underperforming players, hampering their potential for success on the field.
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FAQ
What is the lowest paying position in the NFL?
The lowest paying position in the NFL is often the long snapper, who typically earns a modest salary compared to other players. Their annual earnings can vary, but they generally make less than star players or starting positions.
What is the biggest NFL contract bust?
One of the most notable NFL contract busts in recent history is Albert Haynesworth. In 2009, he signed a massive seven-year, $100 million deal with the Washington Redskins. Unfortunately, he didn’t live up to the expectations, and the team released him after just three seasons.
Who is the highest paid NFL player?
As of my last update in September 2021, the highest-paid NFL player was Aaron Rodgers. In 2018, he signed a four-year contract extension worth $150 million with the Green Bay Packers.
What is the minimum salary in the NFL?
The minimum salary in the NFL is determined by the number of credited seasons a player has. For rookies, the minimum salary is usually higher than for veteran players. The specific amount can vary each year due to collective bargaining agreements and other factors.
What is the largest NFL guaranteed contract?
As of my last update in September 2021, the largest guaranteed contract in the NFL belonged to Aaron Donald. He signed a six-year, $135 million contract extension with the Los Angeles Rams in 2020, and the entirety of the contract was fully guaranteed.
What is the rookie salary in the NFL?
The player’s draft position determines the rookie salary in the NFL. The first overall pick in the draft typically receives a substantial signing bonus, which can vary from year to year based on the league’s revenue and other factors.
How much does an NFL cheerleader make?
NFL cheerleaders usually earn a relatively low salary for their work. Their pay can vary depending on the team and market, but they often receive around $100 per game, along with a stipend for practices and other appearances.
Do NFL players get paid weekly?
Yes, during the NFL season, players typically receive their salaries on a weekly basis. They also receive signing bonuses, which are lump-sum payments given when they sign their contracts or hit specific performance milestones.
Do NFL players get paid if they get cut?
When NFL players are cut from a team, they may still receive some compensation. However, the amount they receive depends on their contract terms, including how many guaranteed portions they have in their deal. Some players may receive their full salary, while others may only get a portion.
Who is the highest paid rookie in the NFL?
As of my last update in September 2021, the highest-paid rookie in the NFL was Trevor Lawrence. He signed a fully guaranteed six-year contract worth $37 million with the Jacksonville Jaguars after being selected as the first overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
