In professional sports, teams dish out massive contracts to secure top-tier talent. But injuries are the ultimate wildcard, turning what seemed like a sure investment into a financial disaster.
Some athletes have cashed in on lucrative deals only to spend most of their careers sidelined due to injuries. Here are 15 athletes who barely played despite being paid millions.
1. Stephen Strasburg (MLB)
Contract: 7 years, $245 million (2019)
The Washington Nationals rewarded Strasburg handsomely after his World Series MVP performance in 2019. However, chronic injuries, including nerve issues in his arm, limited him to just eight starts over the next four seasons before announcing his retirement.
2. Zion Williamson (NBA)
Contract: 5 years, $197 million (2022)
Zion was hailed as the next NBA superstar, but injuries have kept him off the court more than on it. He missed his entire second season (2021-22) and has played in a very few games since being drafted first overall in 2019.
3. Jacob deGrom (MLB)
Contract: 5 years, $185 million (2022)
Widely regarded as one of the best pitchers in baseball when healthy, deGrom has struggled to stay on the mound. The Texas Rangers took a risk with his massive deal, only for him to undergo Tommy John surgery after just six starts in 2023.
4. Derrick Rose (NBA)
Contract: 5 years, $94 million (2011)
After becoming the youngest MVP in NBA history, Rose suffered a devastating ACL injury in the 2012 playoffs. He missed the entire following season and was never the same, bouncing around the league while battling knee issues.
5. David Wright (MLB)
Contract: 8 years, $138 million (2012)
The New York Mets’ captain was on a Hall of Fame trajectory before spinal stenosis derailed his career. Wright played just 77 games from 2015 to his retirement in 2018, yet the Mets still paid out most of his massive contract.
6. Greg Oden (NBA)
Contract: 4 years, $24 million (2007)
Drafted first overall in 2007 ahead of Kevin Durant, Oden’s knees simply couldn’t handle NBA-level competition. He played just 105 career games over seven seasons while collecting millions in guaranteed money.
7. Anthony Rendon (MLB)
Contract: 7 years, $245 million (2020)
After helping the Nationals win the World Series in 2019, Rendon signed a blockbuster deal with the Angels. Unfortunately, he has played fewer than half of his team’s games since then due to various injuries.
8. Sam Bradford (NFL)
Contract: 6 years, $78 million (2010)
The former No. 1 overall pick got one of the last massive rookie contracts before the NFL salary cap reform. He constantly battled knee injuries, never living up to expectations but still managed to earn over $130 million in his career.
9. Gilbert Arenas (NBA)
Contract: 6 years, $111 million (2008)
Arenas was an All-Star talent, but after multiple knee surgeries, he was never the same. The Washington Wizards were forced to pay out most of his contract despite him barely contributing.
10. Yoenis Céspedes (MLB)
Contract: 4 years, $110 million (2016)
Céspedes was electric when healthy, but after signing his deal with the Mets, injuries (and an odd incident involving a wild boar) limited him to just 127 games over four seasons.
11. Andrew Luck (NFL)
Contract: 5 years, $122 million (2016)
Luck was supposed to be the Indianapolis Colts’ franchise quarterback for years, but injuries took a toll. He shocked the world by retiring before the 2019 season, leaving behind a contract that paid him millions despite his absence.
12. Tracy McGrady (NBA)
Contract: 7 years, $92 million (2000)
McGrady was one of the NBA’s most dynamic scorers, but chronic back issues derailed his career. He struggled with injuries throughout his final seasons, earning big money while playing sparingly.
Read More: Ranking the 14 Most Overpaid NBA Players in History
13. Carl Pavano (MLB)
Contract: 4 years, $39.95 million (2005)
The Yankees expected Pavano to be a front-line starter, but he turned into one of their worst free-agent signings ever. He made just 26 starts over four years while earning nearly $40 million.
Read More: 20 MLB Stars Who Signed Massive Contracts and Never Delivered
14. Chandler Parsons (NBA)
Contract: 4 years, $94 million (2016)
Parsons was a solid player before knee injuries robbed him of his mobility. The Memphis Grizzlies paid him handsomely, but he played just 95 games over three seasons before being waived.
Read More: The 15 Worst Free-Agent Contracts in MLB History
15. Jayson Werth (MLB)
Contract: 7 years, $126 million (2011)
Werth had some productive years, but injuries hampered his later seasons. The Nationals paid him elite money even as his performance and availability declined significantly.
Read More: 11 NFL Players Whose Careers Were Cut Short Due to Injury
