Washington Redskins: Five Worst Free Agent Signings Ever

The following five players were the most notable free agent busts in the history of the Washington Redskins.

None of these players played to the level of their fat contracts, and forever stand as cautionary tales to the pitfalls of NFL free agency.

The memories of these players make many Redskins fans thankful for the new free agency restraint of Mike Shanahan and Bruce Allen.

5. Jeff George

Jeff George was signed in 2000 to a four-year contract worth $18 million.

He played in eight games during two seasons, and when his last two games were blowout losses, his Redskins career was cut short by Marty Schottenheimer.

4. Jeremiah Trotter

After having a magnificent start to his career with the Philadelphia Eagles, he was signed away by the Redskins in 2002 with a seven-year deal worth $35 million.

He played only two seasons with the Skins, and he could never recreate the magic he worked in Philadelphia. He was a bad fit for the Redskins defense, and after two years, he returned to play for the Eagles.

3. Dana Stubblefield

In 1997, Dana Stubblefield became the NFL Defensive Player of the Year with the San Francisco 49ers after a 16-sack season. The following year, the Redskins "stole" him away with a then-record $56 million deal.

How did he repay Washington? He had seven sacks in his three seasons with the Redskins, and never came close to being the force he was with San Francisco.

2. Adam Archuleta

Just saying the name Adam Archuleta brings a grimace to the face of a Redskins fan. Archuleta was signed in 2006 to a seven-year, $35 million deal ($10 million guaranteed).

The former first round pick was the highest paid safety in the NFL at the time, and many people believed his pairing with Sean Taylor would give the Redskins the most fearsome defensive backfield in the league. Not even close.

After being burned consistently in pass coverage and whiffing on too many tackles, he spent most of his time in his one season with Washington on the bench.

Luckily for the Redskins, they were able to unload him in a trade with the Bears the next season.

1. Deion Sanders

And the No. 1 free agent bust of all time in Redskins history: "Prime Time" Deion Sanders.

After being cut by the Cowboys, the Redskins signed Sanders to a seven year, $56 million deal in 2000.

While Sanders performed adequately in pass coverage, he was completely inept in run support, and he fared poorly in punt returning.

The worst part about Sanders was his attitude while with the Redskins. He was a locker room poison with his arrogance and brashness.

He was the "Prime" example of an over-the-hill free agent who collected a fat paycheck while having nothing left to justify it.