Sometimes it’s not how you start—it’s how you finish. And unfortunately, these NFL stars didn’t exactly stick the landing when it came to preserving their football legacies.
Whether it was off-the-field drama, bad exits, or just sticking around too long, these players went from being celebrated to being side-eyed. Here are 19 NFL players who fumbled their legacy when it mattered most.
19. Jay Cutler
He had the arm, the talent, and the swagger—just not the career to match. His “meh” demeanor and rocky leadership left fans wondering what could’ve been.
18. Le’Veon Bell
He sat out a year to prove a point and ended up proving the Steelers right. His post-Pittsburgh career never came close to matching his peak.
17. Tiki Barber
He retired at the top of his game, then tried to dunk on his old team—and they won the Super Bowl without him. Awkward doesn’t even begin to cover it.
16. Albert Haynesworth
He cashed in big after a monster year, then completely disappeared on the field. One of the all-time cautionary tales of getting paid and checking out.
15. Carson Palmer
He had all the tools but bailed on the Bengals mid-career dramatically. His second act in Arizona helped, but the bitter exit stuck.
14. Plaxico Burress
From Super Bowl hero to shooting himself in the leg—literally. His off-field decision derailed what could have been a Hall of Fame career.
13. Antonio Brown
One of the most electric wideouts of his era, until the chaos took over. His talent was never in question, but his behavior turned him into a walking headline.
12. Terrell Owens
He made every team he played for better—and every locker room a little more chaotic. His numbers are elite, but his legacy is still debated thanks to the drama.
11. Vince Young
He showed flashes of superstardom early but never found consistency. The talent was there, but the discipline and support weren’t.
10. Cam Newton
From MVP to fashion icon to benchwarmer—his fall from grace came fast. He redefined swagger at QB but never quite reclaimed the magic after injuries.
9. Greg Hardy
He was a rising star on defense, then became a cautionary tale of off-field issues. The league moved on quickly—and for good reason.
8. Odell Beckham Jr.
That one-handed catch changed everything—and maybe it went to his head. Injuries and distractions piled up, and the elite production didn’t last.
7. Michael Vick
He had one of the most thrilling playing styles the league had ever seen. Then came the dogfighting scandal, and the redemption arc only went so far.
6. Josh Gordon
An unstoppable force when on the field, but he couldn’t stay eligible. His career is a string of comebacks that never quite stuck.
5. Richard Sherman
He talked the talk and walked the walk—until the end got a little messy. Injuries, a few rough games, and off-field issues chipped away at the legacy.
4. Brett Favre
The on-field magic was real, but the retirement soap opera wore people down. And his post-career headlines haven’t exactly helped.
3. Ray Rice
He was a key part of a Super Bowl team, then completely erased from the league. One incident forever overshadowed everything else he did.
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2. Johnny Manziel
He was supposed to be the next big thing, but flamed out in record time. The hype was sky-high, but the work ethic never caught up.
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1. Deshaun Watson
Once considered the face of the NFL’s next generation, his off-field scandals and injuries changed everything. No matter what he does on the field now, the damage is already done.
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