NFL Free Agency: 5 Worst Signings of the Offseason

NFL teams break the bank to sign free agents that they think will break their backs to help a franchise improve. While several players show their worth, there are always a few that prove to be terrible offseason acquisitions.

A bad signing doesn't always necessarily mean a free agent was given too much money. Sometimes, even a horrendous player given a normal salary can be deemed a bad signing.

Take Vince Young in 2011, for example. His modest one-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, which could have been worth up to $5.5 million dollars, was a bad pickup. He threw nine interceptions in only six games.

It's pretty straightforward. When a player is given a fat contract, they're expected to play big. 

Cortland Finnegan

Cortland Finnegan brings tough defense to a team that sorely needs it, but there's no doubt the St. Louis Rams overpaid.

According to Gregg Rosenthal of Rotoworld, "Cortland Finnegan can max out his five-year contract at $51.25 million. Finnegan makes $24 million in the first two years of the deal."

Finnegan is a good cornerback with a knack for frustrating opposing receivers, but is he really worth that contract?

That type of money would be reasonable for a shutdown corner that could take away half of the field, but Finnegan is not that type of player.

Vince Young

Rookie of the Year, 2007 Pro Bowler, 2008 Madden cover athlete—the sky was the limit for Vince Young not too long ago.

However, he's now with his third team in three years after signing a one-year, $2 million dollar deal with the Buffalo Bills.

This is a far cry for the 29-year-old after being chosen third overall back in the 2006 NFL draft. At this point in his career, he should have been a perennial Pro Bowler, but sadly he's been reduced to playing backup.

After posting a 3-3 record with a quarterback rating of 60.8 to go along with his four touchdowns and nine interceptions, VY should be ashamed of himself.

Playing in an offense alongside LeSean McCoy and DeSean Jackson with Young's skill set should have been magical. Obviously, that wasn't the case.

With numbers like that, he's just not a viable option, even as a backup quarterback. 

Levi Brown

Levi Brown re-signed with the Arizona Cardinals on a five-year, $30 million deal, which really isn't a massive contract.

The stat lines for offensive linemen aren't something to gawk at, even though they are valuable pieces to a team. That is why this signing shouldn't be taken lightly. He showed improvement last season, but he still hasn't lived up to being the fifth overall pick in the 2007 NFL draft.

Given Brown's track record of underachieving and half efforts, this was a risky signing that could easily backfire.

Eddie Royal

Eddie Royal from the San Diego Chargers is a strange case. His body of work is decent, considering he was never the primary option on offense. He has over 2,000 yards receiving and nine touchdowns over a four-year span.

However, looking at his stats season-by-season paints a different picture. Royal has really fallen off after a magnificent rookie year in 2008 when he caught 91 passes for 980 yards. He hasn't even come close to those numbers over the past three seasons.

The potential was there, but Royal hasn't proven much besides being a nuisance for opposing teams on kick returns. 

Brandon Meriweather

Brandon Meriweather got off to a rough start with the Washington Redskins when he was arrested for drunk driving in April after inking a two-year, $6 million contract.

Not to say his image with the Redskins is torn beyond repair, but it's certainly not looking too good as of right now.

These types of off-field distractions can be detrimental to a team. If this type of behavior continues, Meriweather is sure to flounder this season.