Sometimes in the NFL, the sizzle sells more than the steak. Teams get blinded by big names, flashy numbers, or media buzz and throw bags of cash or draft picks at players or coaches who don’t even come close to living up to the hype.
This list isn’t just about busts. It’s about moments when franchises bought into the noise a little too hard and paid a real price, whether in dollars, locker room drama, or wasted seasons. Let’s count down the top 20 times an NFL team spent big for the buzz and ended up with a bad hangover.
20. Giants Extend Daniel Jones for $160M
The Giants bet big that Jones was their guy after one decent year—and paid him like a franchise quarterback. In return, they got turnovers, injuries, and regret.
19. The Browns Trade for Odell Beckham Jr.
Cleveland thought they were getting a superstar, but OBJ’s time in Ohio was more sizzle than steak. Between injuries and weird chemistry with Baker Mayfield, the move never matched the hype.
18. Washington Signs Albert Haynesworth
They backed up the Brinks truck for Haynesworth after one dominant year in Tennessee. What followed was a masterclass in laziness, fines, and public frustration.
17. Jets Sign Le’Veon Bell
After sitting out a year, Bell got a huge deal from the Jets, but he looked like a guy who hadn’t played in forever. The only thing that ran behind that offensive line was the hype.
16. Jaguars Pay Christian Kirk Like a WR1
![Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) signals a first down pickup during the third quarter of an NFL football matchup Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Packers edged the Jaguars 30-27 on a last-second field goal. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]](https://thequickreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Untitled-design-2025-05-23T185124.894-1024x658.png)
Kirk’s contract reset the receiver market and left the football world scratching. He’s been fine, but WR1 money for WR2 production was a bold move.
15. Bears Trade for Nick Foles
Chicago brought in Foles to save the day, betting big on a backup with a hot Super Bowl moment. Turns out Philly Philly magic doesn’t travel.
14. Texans Sign Brock Osweiler
Houston gave Osweiler a massive deal based on a few decent games in Denver. It backfired so hard that they had to package a draft pick to eliminate him.
13. Dolphins Pay Mike Wallace
Miami thought Wallace’s speed would transform their offense. They got a one-trick deep threat who didn’t click with the system or the quarterback.
12. Raiders Draft JaMarcus Russell First Overall
The hype was enormous, and the Raiders took the bait. Russell had all the tools, but none of the drive—and they paid dearly for it.
11. Rams Trade for Sam Bradford
St. Louis drafted Bradford No. 1 overall and handed him a record-breaking rookie contract. Injuries and inconsistency meant the return never came close to the investment.
10. Jets Trade Up for Mark Sanchez
The Jets moved heaven and earth to grab Sanchez, hoping for Broadway Joe 2.0. They got a couple of playoff runs and a lot of turnovers.
9. Eagles Sign Nnamdi Asomugha
Asomugha was the crown jewel of Philly’s infamous “Dream Team.” Unfortunately, he was more dreamlike in how little he contributed.
8. Browns Draft Johnny Manziel
Cleveland couldn’t resist the Manziel mania and the buzz that came with it. But behind the flash was a player who wasn’t built for the NFL grind.
7. Raiders Trade for Antonio Brown
Oakland (at the time) thought they were landing a game-changing receiver. Instead, they got frostbitten feet, helmet complaints, and zero snaps played.
6. Commanders Sign Deion Sanders
Yes, Prime was a legend—but by the time Washington paid him, the best years were long gone. It was a flashy move that fizzled out fast.
5. Jaguars Draft Blake Bortles Third Overall
Jacksonville bet on size and arm strength, hoping Bortles would become elite. Instead, they got a quarterback who made fans nervous every time he dropped back.
4. Vikings Sign Kirk Cousins to a Fully Guaranteed Deal
Minnesota made waves with an unprecedented fully guaranteed contract. While Cousins was solid, the return didn’t match the groundbreaking money.
3. Bears Trade Multiple Picks for Mitch Trubisky
Chicago passed on Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson to move up one spot for Trubisky. The move has aged like milk.
Read More: The 15 Most Shocking NFL Trades That Completely Backfired
2. Browns Sign Deshaun Watson to a $230M Guaranteed Deal
Cleveland went all-in with fully guaranteed money and a boatload of controversy. The results so far have not been so great, to say the least.
Read More: The 18 Most Questionable Trades in Sports History
1. Broncos Trade a Haul for Russell Wilson
Denver thought they were a quarterback away from a title and paid Wilson like a future Hall of Famer. Instead, they got a head-scratching offense and a coach firing in year one.
