The 30 Worst Contracts in NFL History

Throughout the history of the NFL, we've seen numerous cases of players receiving ridiculous contracts.

With NFL contracts becoming more and more loaded with money (see Calvin Johnson's $132-million deal), there is a much larger possibility of that contract coming back to bite the team in the you-know-what.

Here is a look at the 30 worst contracts in NFL history.

30. Mike Vanderjagt, Dallas Cowboys

Contract: 3 Years, $6 Million

While the contract numbers aren't staggering for Mike Vanderjagt, it's what he did for the Dallas Cowboys after signing this contract that make it such a bad move.

In 10 games with the Cowboys, Vanderjagt missed five field goals and was booed off the field numerous times by fans. He was released in mid-November and never played in the NFL again.

29. Scott Mitchell, Detroit Lions

Contract: 4 Years, $21 Million

After filling in admirably for Dan Marino at the end of the 1993 season, Scott Mitchell saw his stock rise dramatically heading into free agency in 1994.

The Detroit Lions bit on Mitchell, who ended up struggling mightily during his first year with the team. He did lead the Lions to two playoff appearances but never turned into the franchise quarterback that the Lions were looking for.

28. Larry Brown, Oakland Raiders

Contract: 5 Years, $12.5 Million

Thanks to an MVP performance in Super Bowl XXX, Larry Brown was offered a huge contract from the Oakland Raiders despite never being a starter for the Dallas Cowboys.

The move almost instantly backfired, as Brown was never able to play consistently in Oakland. He was released after two years and only played in 12  games.

27. Marco Rivera, Dallas Cowboys

Contract: 5 Years, $20 Million

For the first nine years of his career, Marco Rivera was a staple along the offensive line for the Green Bay Packers. When he hit free agency before the 2005 season, the Dallas Cowboys snatched Rivera off the market.

Rivera's first year with Dallas was going well until he went down with a neck injury before Week 16. He never regained his full strength and was released from the team in 2007.

26. Neil O'Donnell, New York Jets

Contract: 5 Years, $25 Million

Neil O'Donnell was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers and led the team to Super Bowl XXX. The Steelers lost that game, O'Donnell became a free agent and the New York Jets rolled out the red carpet to bring him to town.

Unfortunately, O'Donnell never panned out for the Jets. The team started his first season 0-6 before O'Donnell went down with a season-ending injury to his shoulder. 

While he improved in his second year with the team, the Jets still didn't make much of an overall improvement as a team, and O'Donnell was released.

25. Joe Johnson, Green Bay Packers

Contract: 6 Years, $33 Million

This defensive lineman was a a two-time Pro Bowl selection for the New Orleans Saints before hitting free agency in 2002. He was also the NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 2000, which also saw him make the All-Pro Team.

However, upon signing a lucrative contract with the Green Bay Packers, Joe Johnson only played 11 games over his two seasons with the team. In those two seasons, Johnson only recorded two sacks.

He never played in the NFL again after being released by Green Bay in 2003.

24. Edgerrin James, Arizona Cardinals

Contract: 4 Years, $30 Million

At first glance, the signing of a top running back like Edgerrin James seemed like a great move for the Arizona Cardinals. However, James had already racked up a ton of mileage on his legs with the Indianapolis Colts.

While James recorded over 1,000 rushing yards in his first two years with the team, his third year saw him only play in 13 games and record barely over 500 yards. The Cardinals released James after that 2008 season, and he was out of the league the year after that.

23. Peerless Price, Atlanta Falcons

Contract: 7 Years, $37.5 Million

Needing a talented wide receiver, the Atlanta Falcons gave up a first-round pick to bring in Peerless Price. He was coming off a 94-reception season for the Buffalo Bills, and Atlanta was in desperate need of an elite receiver.

Unfortunately, Price was never able to turn into that player for the Falcons. While his first season with the team saw him record 64 receptions and nearly 900 receiving yards, his numbers dropped dramatically in his second season with the team.

The Falcons ultimately released Price following the 2004 season. After that, Price bounced around the league until he retired in 2007.

22. Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles

Contract: 6 Years, $100 Million

While it is too early to ultimately judge this contract, Michael Vick simply isn't durable enough to deserve a contract like this.

Vick has only played all 16 games in a season once in his career. He missed three games in the 2011 season, which turned out to be quite the disappointment for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Whenever you put this much money towards a player who struggles to stay on the field, it needs to be considered a bad contract. 

21. LeCharles Bentley, Cleveland Browns

Contract: 6 Years, $36 Million

LeCharles Bentley was coming off a Pro Bowl season in 2005 with the New Orleans Saints before signing with the Cleveland Browns in 2006.

As one of the top free agents that offseason, Bentley was expected to come in and drastically improve the Browns' offensive line. Unfortunately, Bentley struggled with injuries and was never able to find the field with the Browns.

20. Brandon Lloyd, Washington Redskins

Contract: 6 Years, $30 Million

Before becoming a top receiver in the league, Brandon Lloyd was a young and promising receiver for the San Francisco 49ers. The Washington Redskins traded for Lloyd heading into the 2006 season.

In his two seasons with the team, Lloyd only managed 25 receptions and didn't record a single touchdown. The Redskins released Lloyd, who ended up with the Chicago Bears in 2006 before heading to the Denver Broncos where he finally broke out.

19. Jeff Garcia, Cleveland Browns

Contract: 4 Years, $25 Million

After his time in the spotlight as quarterback with the San Francisco 49ers, Jeff Garcia would end up signing with the Cleveland Browns before the 2004 season.

While his contract was for four years, Garcia only lasted one year with the team. He struggled to understand the offense in Cleveland and only played in 11 games during that season.

Garcia has bounced around the league since leaving Cleveland and has played for the Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Oakland Raiders and Houston Texans.

18. Dana Stubblefield, Washington Redskins

Contract: 6 Years, $36 Million

After winning the Defensive Player of the Year Award in 1997, Dana Stubblefield signed a huge contract with the Washington Redskins. 

Stubblefield was never able to produce at the same level in Washington, despite playing alongside another top defensive lineman in Dan Wilkinson. He only lasted three years with the team, notching only seven sacks over that time.

17. Ahman Green, Houston Texans

Contract: 4 Years, $23 Million

As one of the best running backs in the history of the Green Bay Packers, the Houston Texans were hoping to find an elite running back when they signed Ahman Green in 2007.

Unfortunately, Green was 29 years old at that point and simply didn't have enough gas left in the tank to make much of an impact for the team. He only recorded 554 rushing yards over two seasons with the team and ended up being released after the 2008 season.

16. Jeremiah Trotter, Washington Redskins

Contract: 7 Years, $36 Million

Jeremiah Trotter was a successful linebacker before and after playing for the Washington Redskins. However, those two years in Washington were extremely unproductive for Trotter.

He wasn't unbelievably unproductive but certainly didn't live up to the expectations of such a high contract. After being released by the Redskins, Trotter went back to the Philadelphia Eagles where he played exceptionally well for the team.

15. Jevon Kearse, Philadelphia Eagles

Contract: 8 Years, $65 Million

As one of the best pass rushers in the league for the Tennessee Titans, Jevon Kearse had plenty of suitors heading into free agency.

He finally decided to play with the Philadelphia Eagles, who spent loads of money on bringing him to town. Unfortunately, Kearse only recorded 22 sacks in the four seasons with the team and never looked like the same player he was in Tennessee.

14. Tommy Kelly, Oakland Raiders

Contract: 7 Years, $50.5 Million

Tommy Kelly has played his entire career with the Oakland Raiders. During the 2008 offseason is when the Raiders signed Kelly to this monster of a contract.

His first two years after signing the contract were a complete disappointment. While he turned his career around in 2010 by making the Pro Bowl, Kelly took a step back in 2011, proving that this huge of a contract was a rather poor move by Oakland.

13. Ryan Leaf, San Diego Chargers

Contract: 4 Years, $31.25 Million

This was the rookie contract the San Diego Chargers offered to Ryan Leaf. It was the worst decision the franchise ever made. 

We all know how poorly this decision panned out, as Leaf was one of the greatest draft busts in NFL history. He never clicked with his teammates and was eventually run out of town after just three years with the team.

12. Shaun Alexander, Seattle Seahawks

Contract: 8 Years, $62 Million

In 2006, the Seattle Seahawks signed Shaun Alexander to this massive contract. It happened after Alexander brought home the MVP Award following in the 2005 season.

Alexander never reached 1,000 rushing yards again and was forced to retire three years into his fresh contract. His contract was the highest for a running back in the history of the NFL at the time, and it turned out to be an extremely poor move by the Seahawks.

11. Javon Walker, Oakland Raiders

Contract: 6 Years, $55 Million

Coming off an injury-riddled season with the Denver Broncos, the Oakland Raiders signed Javon Walker in 2008 with hopes that he would get back to full health for the team.

However, Walker only ended up playing in eight games that season and recorded a pitiful 15 receptions for 196 receiving yards that year. After making absolutely no impact in the first three games the following season, Walker was released by the Raiders.

He never made another reception in the NFL.

10. Daryl Gardener, Denver Broncos

Contract: 7 Years, $34.8 Million

This is the perfect case of a team overpaying a player simply because they have a need on their roster.

The Denver Broncos desperately needed a defensive tackle heading into the 2003 season and decided that Daryl Gardener was their man. While Gardener had never produced much before coming to Denver, he produced even less after joining the Broncos.

He recorded only eight tackles in five games with the Broncos and ended up out of the league the following season.

9. Adam Archuleta, Washington Redskins

Contract: 7 Years, $35 Million

By making Adam Archuleta one of the highest paid safeties in the NFL, the Washington Redskins made one of the worst signings in NFL history.

Archuleta only started in seven games for the Redskins, recording 60 tackles and one sack in those games. The Redskins ended up trading Archuleta to the Chicago Bears the following offseason.

8. Derrick Dockery, Buffalo Bills

Contract: 7 Years, $49 Million

Derrick Dockery was paid as a top offensive line when he signed with the Buffalo Bills in the 2007 offseason.

Unfortunately, Dockery was nowhere near an elite lineman. He started every game for the Bills but only lasted two years of his seven-year contract.

He currently plays for the Dallas Cowboys.

7. David Boston, San Diego Chargers

Contract: 7 Years, $47 Million

Just before he hit the free-agent market, David Boston had quite the season for the Arizona Cardinals. He had 98 receptions for 1,598 receiving yards and eight touchdowns while making the Pro Bowl.

The San Diego Chargers signed Boston, hoping that he would continue his recent dominance with the team. However, Boston never got along with coach Marty Schottenheimer and was suspended by the Chargers during his lone season with the team.

6. JaMarcus Russell, Oakland Raiders

Contract: 6 Years, $68 Million

This was another poor rookie contract, but this time it involved JaMarcus Russell and the Oakland Raiders.

All I have to say is "purple drank."

5. Donovan McNabb, Washington Redskins

Contract: 5 Years, $78 Million

After being booed away from the Philadelphia Eagles, Donovan McNabb signed with the Washington Redskins. They obviously hoped that McNabb would be as successful with them as he had been with the Eagles.

Well, that never happened as McNabb was eventually benched in favor of Rex Grossman in his first season with the team. He was traded to the Minnesota Vikings following the 2010 season, his lone season with the Redskins.

4. Daunte Culpepper, Minnesota Vikings

Contract: 10 Years, $102 Million

Following the 2004 season, Daunte Culpepper cashed in on his historic season with the Minnesota Vikings. Thanks to a season that saw him throw for 4,717 yards and 39 touchdowns, the Vikings signed Culpepper to a deal worth over $100 million.

Culpepper struggled with injuries in the following season and never returned back to his former self. He was constantly bickering with coaches and was eventually traded to the Miami Dolphins after only one year into his new contract.

3. DeAngelo Hall, Oakland Raiders

Contract: 7 Years, $70 Million

While DeAngelo Hall has somewhat righted his career with the Washington Redskins, the time spent with the Oakland Raiders was simply disastrous.

His lone season with the team in 2008 saw Hall released partway through the season. His performance during those eight games was pathetic. He was constantly beat in man-to-man coverage and looked awful with the team.

This was definitely the worst signing in Raiders' franchise history.

2. Michael Vick, Atlanta Falcons

Contract: 10 Years, $130 Million

It was just three years into this ridiculous contract that Michael Vick was sentenced to jail time. He spent the next two years out of the NFL before returning with the Philadelphia Eagles.

However, the fact that he nearly ruined the entire Atlanta Falcons' franchise is why this is one of the worst contracts in the history of the NFL.

1. Albert Haynesworth, Washington Redskins

Contract: 7 Years, $100 Million

Despite being one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL while he was with the Tennessee Titans, Albert Haynesworth has been absolutely pitiful since leaving the team. 

The signs of his decline were imminent the second he walked into the facilities of the Washington Redskins. He was out of shape, lazy and in constant verbal battles with the coaching staff. During his entire time with the team, Haynesworth only started in 12 games.

His total stats with the Redskins saw Haynesworth record only 53 tackles and 6.5 sacks over the course of two seasons. This contract is without a doubt, the worst contract in the history of the NFL.