The NFL is a league of big hits, big moments, and, unfortunately, big contracts that teams wish they could take back. While some players live up to their massive paydays, others laugh all the way to the bank while delivering less-than-stellar performances.
Let’s take a look at every NFL team’s most overpaid player of all time.
Denver Broncos – JaMarcus Russell (Honorable Mention: Joe Flacco)
Wait, JaMarcus Russell never played for the Broncos? He might as well have. But since that doesn’t count, let’s go with Joe Flacco, whose “elite” paycheck didn’t match his time in Denver.
Miami Dolphins – Ndamukong Suh
$114 million is a lot of money for a defensive tackle who didn’t exactly turn the Dolphins into a contender.
New York Giants – Kenny Golladay
The Giants paid him $72 million to catch, what, one touchdown? Not great, Bob.
Minnesota Vikings – Kirk Cousins
Guaranteed money? More like guaranteed mediocrity (and an inability to win big games).
Jacksonville Jaguars – Nick Foles
The Jags thought they were getting Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles. Instead, they got an expensive lesson in bad contracts.
Cleveland Browns – Deshaun Watson
This one might not be done yet, but $230 million fully guaranteed for a guy who has yet to prove anything in Cleveland? Yikes.
Seattle Seahawks – Matt Flynn
Signed to be the starter, but then a third-round pick named Russell Wilson took his job. Easy money for Flynn.
Green Bay Packers – Joe Johnson
No, not the NBA player. This defensive end got a huge contract and delivered two underwhelming seasons.
Las Vegas Raiders – JaMarcus Russell
Arguably the biggest draft bust of all time, Russell made over $39 million and gave the Raiders next to nothing.
Chicago Bears – Mike Glennon
$45 million for a guy who was benched after four games? Only the Bears.
New Orleans Saints – Jairus Byrd
The Saints broke the bank for this safety, and he rewarded them with injuries and underwhelming play.
Buffalo Bills – Mario Williams
He wasn’t terrible, but for a $100 million contract, you expect a little more.
Cincinnati Bengals – Antonio Bryant
Got $8 million guaranteed and never played a single game for the Bengals. Well played, sir.
Arizona Cardinals – Sam Bradford
A career backup with a first-overall-pick bank account. Classic Bradford.
Philadelphia Eagles – Nnamdi Asomugha
This Dream Team signing turned into an absolute nightmare.
Dallas Cowboys – Miles Austin
One good season led to a $54 million contract. It did not age well.
New England Patriots – Adalius Thomas
Belichick doesn’t miss often, but this big-money linebacker didn’t quite work out.
Atlanta Falcons – Vic Beasley
A one-year wonder who got paid and then disappeared.
Pittsburgh Steelers – LaMarr Woodley
Huge contract, immediate decline. A classic tale.
Detroit Lions – Trey Flowers
$90 million for seven sacks in three seasons. The math ain’t mathing.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Vinny Testaverde
The Bucs made him the highest-paid player in the NFL. The results? Not great.
Houston Texans – Brock Osweiler
Houston paid him, then paid someone else to take him away. Brutal.
Kansas City Chiefs – Sammy Watkins
The Chiefs paid Watkins like a star, but he was more of a part-time contributor.
Tennessee Titans – Andre Johnson
The Titans overpaid for a Hall of Fame name past his prime.
Carolina Panthers – Matt Kalil
$55 million for a lineman who rarely played and rarely played well.
Baltimore Ravens – Elvis Dumervil
Good player, but the Ravens paid top-tier money for only a couple of great seasons.
Washington Commanders – Albert Haynesworth
The gold standard of bad contracts. The $100 million man stopped trying after he got paid.
San Francisco 49ers – Jimmy Garoppolo
Super Bowl runner-up, but did he really deserve that $137.5 million contract? The injuries and inconsistency say no.
Los Angeles Chargers – Jared Gaither
Got paid, got hurt, got released. That’s the Gaither way.
Indianapolis Colts – Eric Ebron
One solid year earned him a payday that did not age well.
New York Jets – Trumaine Johnson
The Jets paid him to be a shutdown corner. He shut down… but not in the way they hoped.
Los Angeles Rams – Jared Goff
He helped take them to a Super Bowl, but that contract was painful to move off of.
