NFL free agency is a time of hope, excitement, and—let’s be honest—some truly terrible decisions. Every offseason, teams throw massive contracts at players, believing they’ve landed a game-changer. Sometimes it works, but more often than teams would like to admit, the hype doesn’t match the production.
From aging superstars who lost a step to one-year wonders who cashed in at the perfect time, let’s rank the 15 most overhyped NFL free-agent signings ever.
15. Le’Veon Bell – New York Jets (2019)
Contract: 4 years, $52.5 million
Le’Veon Bell sat out the entire 2018 season over a contract dispute with the Steelers, then signed a monster deal with the Jets. He was supposed to revitalize their offense, but instead, he averaged just 3.2 yards per carry and was cut after less than two seasons.
14. Nnamdi Asomugha – Philadelphia Eagles (2011)
Contract: 5 years, $60 million
Asomugha was considered the league’s best shutdown corner with the Raiders, but when he joined the Eagles’ infamous “Dream Team,” he was exposed. He never fit in their defensive scheme and was out of the league two years later.
13. Nick Foles – Jacksonville Jaguars (2019)
Contract: 4 years, $88 million
Foles will always be a legend in Philadelphia for leading the Eagles to a Super Bowl, but Jacksonville paid him to be their franchise QB. He broke his collarbone in Week 1, played poorly when he returned, and was traded after just one season.
12. Deion Sanders – Washington (2000)
Contract: 7 years, $56 million
Deion in his prime? Worth every penny. Deion at 33 years old in Washington? Not so much. He played just one season before retiring, proving Washington once again had no idea how to spend in free agency.
11. Sam Bradford – Arizona Cardinals (2018)
Contract: 2 years, $20 million ($15 million guaranteed)
Bradford had an injury history a mile long, yet Arizona still gave him a massive deal. He lasted three games before getting benched for rookie Josh Rosen. They cut him by midseason.
10. Matt Flynn – Seattle Seahawks (2012)
Contract: 3 years, $26 million
Flynn threw for six touchdowns in a meaningless Week 17 game for the Packers, and somehow, that was enough to convince Seattle he was worth a big contract. Then… they drafted Russell Wilson, and Flynn never started a single game for them.
9. Albert Haynesworth – Washington (2009)
Contract: 7 years, $100 million
One of the biggest free-agent busts ever, Haynesworth dominated in Tennessee but got lazy after getting paid in Washington. He clashed with coaches, refused to practice, and lasted just two seasons before getting cut.
8. Brock Osweiler – Houston Texans (2016)
Contract: 4 years, $72 million
Osweiler had seven decent starts in Denver and somehow convinced Houston he was their franchise QB. He was so bad that the Texans actually traded a second-round pick just to get rid of him after one season.
7. Javon Walker – Oakland Raiders (2008)
Contract: 6 years, $55 million
Walker had one good year in Denver, and the Raiders thought he could be their No. 1 receiver. Instead, he caught 15 passes in two seasons before they cut him.
6. David Boston – San Diego Chargers (2003)
Contract: 7 years, $47 million
Boston looked like a superstar in Arizona, but after signing with the Chargers, he clashed with coaches, had injuries, and was traded after just one year.
5. Jerry Porter – Jacksonville Jaguars (2008)
Contract: 6 years, $30 million
Porter was a solid receiver in Oakland, but Jacksonville paid him like a star. He played in 10 games, caught 11 passes, and was released after just one season.
4. Jake Delhomme – Cleveland Browns (2010)
Contract: 2 years, $12.7 million
Delhomme was a solid QB for years in Carolina, but the Browns paid him after he was clearly washed. He started four games, threw two touchdowns, seven picks, and was gone.
3. Chester McGlockton – Kansas City Chiefs (1998)
Contract: 5 years, $30 million
McGlockton was a Pro Bowl defensive tackle in Oakland, but once he got his payday in Kansas City, his effort and production dropped drastically.
Related: Every 2024 NFL Quarterback-Coach Duo, Ranked From Worst To Best
2. Trumaine Johnson – New York Jets (2018)
Contract: 5 years, $72.5 million
The Jets thought they were getting a lockdown corner. Instead, Johnson struggled with injuries and effort, and the Jets cut him after just two years.
Related: Ranking All 32 NFL Team Owners From Worst to Best
1. Jeff Garcia – Cleveland Browns (2004)
Contract: 4 years, $25 million
Garcia was a Pro Bowler in San Francisco, but Cleveland thought they were getting a franchise QB. He lasted one season, clashed with coaches, and left town after going 3-7 as a starter.
Related: Ranking Every Starting QB in the NFL – Who’s the Best of the Best?
