The 15 Most Overpaid Wide Receivers of All Time

Wide receivers are often the flashiest players on the field. They’re known for making dazzling catches, running elite routes, and celebrating touchdowns in style.

However, some wide receivers have been compensated far beyond what their production justified, creating a debate over whether their lucrative contracts were truly deserved. Here are 15 wide receivers who, at least for a time, were considered some of the most overpaid players in NFL history.

1. Terry Glenn (2001)

Terry Glenn had a stellar career at times, but the 6-year, $51 million contract he signed with the Dallas Cowboys in 2001 was one of the more questionable deals in franchise history. Though he had several productive seasons, Glenn’s time in Dallas was marred by injury and inconsistency, leaving fans to wonder whether the Cowboys got enough bang for their buck.

2. Cris Carter (2000)

In 2000, Cris Carter was paid $17 million in a one-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings, cementing his spot as one of the NFL’s highest-paid players at the time. Although Carter was an excellent receiver, his declining skills, combined with the fact that he never won a Super Bowl, left many questioning the size of the contract relative to his output.

3. Dwayne Bowe (2014)

Dwayne Bowe’s 5-year, $56 million deal with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2014 was met with skepticism, and for good reason. Bowe’s production declined drastically after the deal was signed, and he never lived up to his new contract. In the end, his failure to live up to the contract led to his release from the team just a few years later.

4. Mike Wallace (2013)

In 2013, Mike Wallace received a 5-year, $60 million deal from the Miami Dolphins. After signing that lucrative contract, Wallace’s performance failed to match the high expectations. He showed flashes of the player he was in Pittsburgh, but overall, he was inconsistent and failed to make a lasting impact. The Dolphins never got their money’s worth from Wallace.

5. Brandon Marshall (2012)

Brandon Marshall was a physical specimen and a dominant receiver, but his 4-year, $38 million contract extension with the Miami Dolphins didn’t yield great results. Marshall did have a productive 2012 season, but the contract was a bit of a gamble. He was traded after just two seasons, making his deal one of the more questionable ones in recent Dolphins history.

6. Stephen Hill (2012)

Stephen Hill was drafted in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft, and the New York Jets were quick to offer him a promising future. Unfortunately, Hill never became the star that the Jets had hoped for. His lack of refinement and consistent issues with catching passes made his deal feel like a mistake, as he barely played after a couple of disappointing seasons.

7. Braylon Edwards (2009)

Braylon Edwards, known for his ability to stretch the field, was given a 3-year, $30 million contract extension by the Cleveland Browns in 2009. But his drop rate was high, and his play was inconsistent. Edwards’ tenure with the Browns was marred by a lack of production that ultimately led to his departure just two years into his deal.

8. Kenny Britt (2014)

The Tennessee Titans invested heavily in Kenny Britt when they gave him a 1-year, $9.5 million contract in 2014. Britt had the potential, but injuries and immaturity kept him from reaching his full potential. His tenure in Tennessee was full of underwhelming performances, and his contract left many wondering if the Titans had wasted their money on a player who couldn’t stay healthy or consistent.

9. Dez Bryant (2015)

Dez Bryant’s massive 5-year, $70 million extension with the Cowboys seemed like a sound investment after his dominant 2014 season. However, injuries and a lack of consistency plagued Bryant throughout the remainder of his career, especially after signing the deal. He struggled to be the elite receiver Dallas had hoped for, making his contract seem like a regrettable choice in hindsight.

10. Jeremy Maclin (2015)

Jeremy Maclin signed a 5-year, $55 million contract with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2015, coming off an impressive season with the Philadelphia Eagles. However, Maclin’s time with Kansas City was short-lived, and his production didn’t match the investment. Injuries and a declining skill set led to Maclin’s release after just two seasons, making his deal a clear misfire for the Chiefs.

11. Cecil Shorts III (2012)

Cecil Shorts was an underrated receiver early in his career, but his 4-year, $18 million contract extension with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2012 was one of the more bizarre deals in the NFL at the time. Despite his promising flashes, Shorts never managed to stay consistent enough to warrant such a big deal, and the Jaguars ultimately let him go after a few lackluster years.

12. Jerricho Cotchery (2009)

Jerricho Cotchery was a reliable target for the New York Jets, but his 5-year, $28 million contract extension in 2009 was seen as overpaying for a player who was only ever a decent contributor. Cotchery had his moments, but never anything consistent enough to justify that kind of salary. His time in New York ended on a quiet note, with no significant impact during his final seasons with the team.

13. Eric Moulds (2002)

Eric Moulds, a consistent and capable wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills in the late 1990s and early 2000s, signed a massive 5-year, $40 million contract extension in 2002. While Moulds was an important part of the Bills’ offense for many years, he was never a game-changing talent to warrant such a large salary, especially as his performance started to taper off in the latter stages of his career.

14. Brandin Cooks (2017)

Cooks’ five-year, $81 million deal with the Rams was a big investment that ultimately didn’t deliver a return on the franchise’s commitment. His time in LA was marked by inconsistency, ultimately making the deal a bust.

15. Terrell Owens (2004)

Known for his brash personality and electrifying play, Terrell Owens was undoubtedly one of the best wide receivers of his generation. However, his 7-year, $49 million deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, signed in 2004, became a massive headache for the team. Owens delivered great performances on the field, but off-field issues—most notably his public spat with quarterback Donovan McNabb—ruined his legacy in Philly.