NFL Free-Agent Signings: Baffling Moves That Will Haunt Teams All Year

While several NFL teams hit the jackpot during the free-agency period, others have crashed and burned.

For some, the moves reeked of desperation. But for others, there is just no explanation as to why they made the moves they did.

Either way, they are moves that these teams will have to live with for a long time.

Tennessee Titans Sign QB Charlie Whitehurst

Matt Rourke/Associated Press

First-year head coach Ken Whisenhunt didn’t wait long to make his first mind-boggling move with the Titans. On Thursday, it was announced that the team signed longtime backup quarterback Whitehurst to a two-year deal worth around $8 million, per The Tennessean’s Jim Wyatt.

Keep in mind this is a guy that has only completed 84 passes since being drafted in 2006. Out of those attempts, Whitehurst has thrown four interceptions and lost as many fumbles (three) as he has touchdown passes.

Grantland’s Bill Barnwell added another fun note to keep in mind: 

Maybe Whisenhunt really fell in love with Whitehurst during his year as an assistant with the San Diego Chargers? Or maybe Whitehurst can be really persuasive?

Either way, this is a decision that will burn Tennessee down the road.

Jacksonville Jaguars Sign DT Ziggy Hood

Don Wright/Associated Press

The Jaguars have had one of the most active and successful free-agency periods in the league. However, the decision to bring on Hood was pretty questionable.

Pittsburgh Steelers beat writer Mark Kaboly went as far as to insinuate that such moves are the reason Jacksonville hasn’t had much success as of late: 

It’s hard to disagree with Kaboly. Giving Hood $16 million over four years seems to be a bit much.

Ever since being drafted by the Steelers in the first round in 2009, Hood has been a disappointment. In five seasons in the NFL, the 27-year-old has only recorded 11.5 sacks.

It’s understandable that the Jaguars are aiming to add depth to their defensive line, but $16 million for someone who is likely to be a rotation player?

There were much better options available for that price point.

Cleveland Browns Sign ILB Karlos Dansby

Stephen Brashear/Associated Press

What list of poor decisions could be complete without the inclusion of the Browns?

The latest questionable decision came on Tuesday when the team announced the signing of Karlos Dansby. The deal will be worth $24 million over four years with $10 million guaranteed over the first year, via Azcentral.com’s Kent Somers.

As the Cleveland Browns Daily notes, Dansby is excited for this opportunity:

But should Cleveland share the same excitement?

Most of the reasoning for letting D’Qwell Jackson walk was due to his age (30). So it becomes quite confusing that the Browns went out of their way to sign the 32-year-old Dansby to a long-term deal.

Sure, the 11-year veteran had one of his best seasons last year—122 tackles, 6.5 sacks, four interceptions and two touchdowns. However, linebackers at his age don’t tend to have a lot of good football left in their bodies.

It can only go downhill from here for Dansby.

Unless otherwise noted, all stats, rankings and salary-cap information is courtesy of ESPN.com and Spotrac.com.

For complete coverage and everything sports, you can reach Sebastian on Facebook, Twitter and via email at [e-mail].