Ranking the Biggest NFL Free-Agent Signings of All Time

Every offseason is full of optimism, and few additions offer a greater jolt to NFL programs than signing a marquee free agent.

Generally speaking, these high-dollar signings fill a position of immense need. From executives to coaches to fans, they all want to believe the player will be both an immediate and long-term standout.

No, it doesn't always happen. But when those big names are fielding offers in free agency, that gamble is destined to require a hefty contract.

Yes, we understand that the actual value was ultimately different in many cases due to restructures, releases or extensions. That's the nature of NFL contracts.

Still, the list is ordered based on initially reported total contract value.

T-23. Byron Jones, Miami Dolphins (2020)

AP Photo

Contract: 5 years, $82.5 million

On paper, the idea looked fantastic. Byron Jones had ascended to All-Pro status with the Dallas Cowboys, and the Miami Dolphins plucked him out of free agency to start opposite their own young cornerback, Xavien Howard.

Reality had a different outcome in mind.

During his first season in Miami, Jones surrendered 10.6 yards per target. It didn't get much better in 2021 as the number fell to a not-so-good 8.1, and he yielded nine touchdowns in two seasons with the Fins.

Jones then underwent surgery on his left Achilles during the offseason and ended up not returning to the NFL after the team released him.

T-23. Bud Dupree, Tennessee Titans (2021)

AP Photo

Contract: 5 years, $82.5 million

Following six seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Bud Dupree entered free agency and found a lucrative offer from the Tennessee Titans.

Unfortunately for both sides, it simply didn't work out.

Dupree dealt with injuries throughout his two years in Tennessee, making 11 appearances in both the 2021 and 2022 campaigns. Dupree totaled a modest seven sacks and 33 pressures for the Titans.

Tennessee released the edge-rusher in the ensuing offseason. He's since suited up for the Atlanta Falcons (2023) and Los Angeles Chargers (2024-25).

T-23. J.C. Jackson, Los Angeles Chargers (2022)

AP Photo

Contract: 5 years, $82.5 million

An undrafted free agent in 2018, J.C. Jackson quickly made his presence felt at cornerback for the New England Patriots.

He held a rotational spot as a rookie, garnered more snaps the next season, and then locked down a starting job. Jackson snared 17 interceptions over the next two years, amassing 37 pass defenses in that stretch.

So, unsurprisingly, he commanded a big contract in free agency.

But the Chargers never saw that level of production from Jackson, who only logged seven appearances in Los Angeles. He ceded a disastrous 12.2 yards per target and struggled with injuries, as well.

Los Angeles sent him back to New England in a swap of late-round picks in 2023. Jackson hasn't played since closing that season on the Pats.

T-20. Julius Peppers, Chicago Bears (2010)

AP Photo

Contract: 6 years, $84 million

Julius Peppers was a Day 1 star for the Carolina Panthers, winning AP Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2002. He garnered All-Pro status in four of his eight seasons with the Panthers, as well.

In free agency, however, the Chicago Bears dropped a record-setting offer in front of the edge-rusher and pulled him to the Midwest.

Finally, a contract that worked out!

Peppers earned All-Pro honors twice more in Chicago, collecting 37.5 sacks in four seasons with the Bears. He also amassed 175 tackles and 52 QB hits.

Chicago released him after the 2013 season as a cap-saving measure.

T-20. Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings (2018)

AP Photo

Contract: 3 years, $84 million

The first of Kirk Cousins' two memorable free-agent contracts moved him from Washington to the Minnesota Vikings.

Initially drafted as second-string security to Robert Griffin III, Cousins became the full-time guy in Washington as a fourth-year player. He threw for 4,000-plus yards and at least 25 touchdowns in the next three seasons.

Minnesota, which had reached the NFC Championship Game in the previous year, viewed Cousins as its Super Bowl-worthy QB.

That didn't happen. It wasn't a total failure, either.

Cousins spent six seasons on the Vikings and typically put up quality—even if a bit hollow—numbers. Minnesota just couldn't match a great offense with a great defense, making the playoffs twice with Cousins but only winning a single game.

The sides parted after the 2024 season.

T-20. Javon Hargrave, San Francisco 49ers (2023)

AP Photo

Contract: 4 years, $84 million

Javon Hargrave began his career with Pittsburgh, but he emerged as a star defensive tackle in his three seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Most notably, he racked up 60 tackles and 11 sacks during his contract year in 2022. That excellent year pushed Hargrave into free agency as a coveted addition, and the San Francisco 49ers swooped in.

The results weren't awesome, partly due to poor scheme fit and partly because a triceps injury limited him to three games in 2024.

Hargrave had 51 tackles (eight sacks) in 19 games for the Niners, who released him following that shortened campaign.

T-18. Olivier Vernon, New York Giants (2016)

AP Photo

Contract: 5 years, $85 million

The hometown kid went to high school in Miami, played at Miami, and opened his NFL career with the Miami Dolphins.

It's hard to pass up $52.5 million guaranteed, though.

Olivier Vernon posted three straight years of 6.5-plus sacks for the Dolphins before heading to the New York Giants. He played well during the following three-year stretch, again hitting at least 6.5 sacks each season. Vernon secured the lone All-Pro recognition of his career with New York in 2016, too.

After the 2018 campaign, the Giants moved him as part of a trade that ultimately sent Vernon and Odell Beckham Jr. to the Cleveland Browns.

T-18. C.J. Mosley, New York Jets (2019)

AP Photo

Contract: 5 years, $85 million

C.J. Mosley is a reminder about the value of patience.

An expensive addition for the New York Jets during the 2019 offseason, the linebacker made two brief appearances that year because of a groin injury and aggravation. Mosley then opted out of the 2020 campaign.

So, through two years, the linebacker had nine tackles—not exactly what the Jets expected from a four-time All-Pro with the Baltimore Ravens.

Patience paid off in 2022.

Mosley gathered 168 tackles, the first of three consecutive years with 150-plus takedowns. He became a reliable, respected centerpiece for the New York defense and added another All-Pro honor in 2022.

17. Malik Jackson, Jacksonville Jaguars (2016)

AP Photo

Contract: 6 years, $85.5 million

Not only did Malik Jackson enjoy a breakout season on the Super Bowl-winning Denver Broncos in 2015, but he also parlayed that production into a payday.

The next stop brought mixed reviews.

Jackson had a fine campaign in 2016 with 6.5 sacks on a bad Jacksonville team. He shifted inside one year later, posted eight sacks and helped the Jaguars nearly reach the Super Bowl—largely prevented by a controversial whistle, really.

The team struggled in 2018, and Jackson dipped from a starting job to a rotational spot. Jacksonville released him in the offseason.

16. Mike McGlinchey, Denver Broncos (2023)

AP Photo

Contract: 5 years, $87.5 million

Even now after eight seasons, Mike McGlinchey is about as straightforward a player as you'll find in the NFL.

McGlinchey, a first-round pick of the Niners in 2018, immediately started at right tackle and made the All-Rookie team. He never blossomed into an All-Pro during his five seasons there, but he was never a liability, either.

The steady lineman opted for a change of scenery when he hit free agency in 2023 and joined the Denver Broncos.

So far, it's been more of the same. McGlinchey has started 46 games over the last three years and played a key role in Denver reaching the AFC Championship Game in 2025—and perhaps an ill-timed Bo Nix injury from the Super Bowl, too.

15. Will Fries, Minnesota Vikings (2025)

AP Photo

Contract: 5 years, $87.7 million

Will Fries is among the more surprising players to command this money.

Selected in the seventh round of the 2021 draft, he rarely contributed for the Indianapolis Colts as a rookie. Fries started half of the 2022 campaign and all of 2023, but he didn't exactly dominate.

That changed in 2024—sort of. Fries downright excelled for the first five games before a tibia injury cruelly ended a breakout year.

Nevertheless, the Vikings paid a pretty penny for the right guard.

Fries put together a forgettable season in his Vikings debut but opened all 17 games. He's aiming for a bounce-back campaign in 2026.

14. Nick Foles, Jacksonville Jaguars (2019)

AP Photo

Contract: 4 years, $88 million

In one of the more predictable recent free-agent disasters, the marriage between Nick Foles and the Jaguars was a quick one.

Granted, it was probably worth a shot.

On the heels of leading the Eagles to a Super Bowl triumph, Foles—who'd temporarily replaced an injured Carson Wentz—knew he needed to leave for a chance to start. Jacksonville, meanwhile, was moving on from Blake Bortles, and an uncomfortable amount of money is indeed the going rate for NFL quarterbacks.

Foles exited the opener with a clavicle injury, returned in November, lost three starts, was benched for Gardner Minshew, and then traded to the Chicago Bears for a mid-round draft pick in the offseason.

13. Trey Flowers, Detroit Lions (2019)

AP Photo

Contract: 5 years, $90 million

New England picked Trey Flowers in the fourth round of the 2015 draft and developed him into a quality pass-rusher.

After an injury-affected rookie year, he steadily rose to a starting role. Flowers opened the last 44 games of his Patriots tenure, tallying at least 6.5 sacks in each of his three top seasons there.

Detroit Lions coach Matt Patricia, previously the defensive coordinator in New England, saw Flowers as a must-add piece in free agency.

The first season? Decent. Flowers posted seven sacks and 35 pressures.

Injuries, however, became a recurring issue as Flowers barely cleared 300 snaps in both 2020 and 2021 while managing 3.5 sacks. Detroit then released him.

12. Calvin Ridley, Tennessee Titans (2024)

AP Photo

Contract: 4 years, $92 million

After serving a season-long gambling suspension in 2022, Calvin Ridley returned to the field. He'd been traded from the Falcons to the Jaguars, and the wideout revived his reputation with a 1,000-yard campaign.

The hope in Tennessee was that Ridley could be a sturdy top target for an offense breaking in young quarterback Will Levis.

Unsurprisingly, the outcome was complicated. Levis struggled badly and lost the starting job, but Ridley still surpassed 1,000 yards.

Tennessee used its No. 1 overall pick on quarterback Cam Ward in the 2025 draft and envisioned a similar kind of connection with Ridley. However, a couple of major injuries meant he only played seven games.

Ridley could be a cap casualty in the 2026 offseason—otherwise he'll return to Tennessee as the Robert Saleh era begins.

T-10. Mario Williams, Buffalo Bills (2012)

AP Photo

Contract: 6 years, $96 million

Easily one of the most successful top signings, Mario Williams made a huge impact for the Buffalo Bills.

That outcome was no surprise, given that the No. 1 pick of the 2004 draft played well across six seasons with the Houston Texans. Williams notched 43 sacks, landed two Pro Bowl nods, and made an All-Pro team in Houston.

Williams registered double-digit sacks in each of his first three seasons with the Bills and maxed out at 14.5, garnering All-Pro honors in both 2013 and 2014.

No, it didn't end well as he struggled after Rex Ryan arrived in 2015. Buffalo released Williams to save money following that season.

Overall, though, the Bills made a great decision to sign him.

T-10. Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos (2012)

AP Photo

Contract: 5 years, $96 million

In the same offseason that Buffalo added Williams, the Broncos reinforced their Super Bowl dreams with a calculated risk on Peyton Manning.

Now, let's be serious, this was not a difficult decision. Manning had missed the 2011 campaign with a neck injury, and the Colts finished 2-14 without him. That gifted Indy a chance to draft Andrew Luck, arguably the best QB prospect in the history of the league. Business hurts sometimes.

As for Denver, it had experienced a season full of Tim Tebow-led miracles. But that didn't look sustainable, and—hello—this was Peyton freakin' Manning.

All of the Broncos' dreams came true.

Manning led a record-setting offense and reached the Super Bowl in 2013. He broke individual and career NFL marks. He was pretty bad in 2015 and missed time due to a heel injury, yet an elite defense propelled Denver to a Super Bowl victory—and Manning into the sunset of retirement as a champion again.

T-8. Albert Haynesworth, Washington (2009)

AP Photo

Contract: 7 years, $100 million

Quite the juxtaposition, no?

After gushing about Manning's tremendous impact on the Broncos, we pivot to the disappointing summary of Albert Haynesworth's time in Washington.

Seven seasons in Tennessee? Awesome. The defensive tackle rose to prominence in 2007 as a first-team All-Pro and did it again in 2008, finishing as a top-four Defensive Player of the Year candidate in both seasons. He was really good!

And then, a total reversal.

Haynesworth clashed with coaches in Washington, battled conditioning issues, and mustered 53 tackles with 6.5 sacks in just 20 games.

T-8. Robert Hunt, Carolina Panthers (2024)

AP Photo

Contract: 5 years, $100 million

Especially since a biceps injury essentially sidelined him in 2025, the verdict on Robert Hunt's contract is still in progress.

Hunt, a second-round pick of the Dolphins in 2020, initially played right tackle for Miami. He shifted inside to guard as a second-year starter and locked down the position for the next three seasons.

That spring, Carolina eyed an upgraded offensive line to better protect quarterback Bryce Young in 2024 and turned to Hunt.

Although the Panthers had a rough year, he helped bolster the blocking unit as hoped. Expectations were higher last season, but an early biceps injury put Hunt on the shelf for 15 games. He returned for the playoff loss, at least.

Hunt remains a key part of Carolina's offense in 2026.

7. Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks (2025)

AP Photo

Contract: 3 years, $100.5 million

Was this agreement worth it? Yes. End of argument.

Of course, that doesn't mean we have nothing left to say on the matter. But when a team signs a quarterback, and he leads the group to a Super Bowl victory in his first season, well, mission fully accomplished.

Once-prized draft pick Sam Darnold wandered through the league for six frustrating years, seeing ghosts on the Jets, having a few stints as Carolina's QB1, and backing up Brock Purdy in San Francisco.

Darnold assembled an incredible surge in 2024 and guided the Vikings to 14 wins, and the Seattle Seahawks took a gamble on him repeating that success.

Another 14 wins, a 4,000-yard season and a Lombardi Trophy later, Darnold's legacy is entirely changed thanks to one year in Seattle.

6. Milton Williams, New England Patriots (2025)

AP Photo

Contract: 4 years, $104 million

Darnold and the Seahawks bested the Patriots, who orchestrated their own remarkable 2025 turnaround after hiring head coach Mike Vrabel.

Signing this guy didn't hurt, either.

Coming over from Philly, defensive tackle Milton Williams had a quiet regular season with 3.5 sacks and 12 pressures. He exploded in the playoffs, registering three sacks and seven pressures in just four outings.

Williams, who won a title on the Eagles in 2024 and returned to the Super Bowl with the Pats in 2025, is a cornerstone of the New England defense.

5. Christian Wilkins, Las Vegas Raiders (2024)

AP Photo

Contract: 4 years, $110 million

Staying on the defensive line, Christian Wilkins put together an excellent start to his NFL career in Miami.

During his five seasons from 2019 to 2023, he commanded respect all over the league. Wilkins had 89 tackles in 2021 and 98 the next season—a truly staggering total at his position—before tallying nine sacks in 2023.

He entered free agency as a top available player, and the contract from the Las Vegas Raiders backed it up.

This memory is not a great one, though.

A foot injury limited him to five appearances in 2024, and the Raiders cut Wilkins due to a disagreement over his rehab process. He didn't play in 2025.

4. Ndamukong Suh, Miami Dolphins (2015)

AP Photo

Contract: 6 years, $114 million

On paper, this decision looked brilliant.

Miami saw Ndamukong Suh, a four-time All-Pro in five seasons with the Detroit Lions, as a game-wrecking face of its defense. Suh became the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history.

The bright side is the powerful D-tackle continued to perform, averaging about 60 tackles and five sacks over three years in Miami. The issue is that the Dolphins were generally not a good team, oscillating between six and 10 wins.

Miami released Suh as a cost-saving measure after the 2017 season, and he made the Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams in 2018.

3. Von Miller, Buffalo Bills (2022)

AP Photo

Contract: 6 years, $120 million

Von Miller rapidly established himself among the NFL's elite pass-rushers and starred on the Broncos for a decade.

In his debut season, he won Defensive Rookie of the Year and landed All-Pro honors. Miller garnered All-Pro status—recording double-digit sacks each time—during seven of his 11 outstanding years in Denver.

Not only did Miller win a Super Bowl (as the game's MVP) with the Broncos in 2015, he again hoisted the Lombardi after they traded him to the Rams in 2021. The latter performance helped him earn a huge contract from the Bills, who wanted to reinforce their own Josh Allen-led championship drive.

The veteran just never worked out in Buffalo once an ACL injury ended his first season there. Miller struggled in 2023 and made a measured impact in 2024.

Miller's time on the Bills ended with 41 tackles and 14 sacks.

2. Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints (2023)

AP Photo

Contract: 4 years, $150 million

The cost of doing business with quarterbacks is simple: When a competent one becomes available, it'll require a large payday.

Derek Carr played nine seasons for the Raiders organization and typically made a positive impact. The franchise was continually a mess, however, and a decline in his performance in 2022 led to an inevitable breakup.

New Orleans needed a new signal-caller and pounced on Carr, a possible long-term solution to the post-Drew Brees era.

The best-case scenario did not happen.

Instead, the Saints managed a 9-8 record and missed the playoffs on a tiebreaker in 2023. Carr dealt with a few injuries the next season, only played five games, and decided to retire for health reasons.

1. Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons (2024)

AP Photo

Contract: 4 years, $180 million

Atlanta fit a similar mold in the 2024 offseason, needing an upgrade at QB and armed with the space necessary to chase Cousins. The offense was loaded with young, promising playmakers, too.

It was a gamble worth taking. And it immediately became a strange one.

The franchise doubled down at the position, taking Michael Penix Jr. in the opening round of the 2024 draft one month later. Cousins kept the QB1 label for much of the campaign, but a nagging midseason injury and turnover woes combined to result in a benching late in the season.

Cousins remained with the Falcons in 2025 as an expensive backup and ended up notching eight starts after an injury sidelined Penix.

Once released in March, Cousins will find a new home for 2026.