Biggest NFL Free-Agency Flops at Every Position Since 2000

David KenyonFeatured Columnist IVMarch 9, 2024Biggest NFL Free-Agency Flops at Every Position Since 20000 of 9

Nnamdi AsomughaPatrick McDermott/Getty Images

For both fans and franchises alike, few parts of the NFL offseason are more exciting than signing a star free agent. That big-name player is usually expected to spark a losing team or solidify a Super Bowl contender.

Those well-intended plans do not always work out, though.

Many millions of dollars—including lots of guaranteed money—are spent on marquee free agents each offseason. But for every Drew Brees-type success story, there’s probably a couple dozen misfires.

Those unfortunate endings take center stage in this list, one weighing a player’s production against his free-agent contract.

Specialists are not included.

Quarterback: Brock Osweiler, Houston Texans1 of 9

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As the understudy to Peyton Manning in 2015, Brock Osweiler played a key role in the Denver Broncos navigating seven games without the Hall of Fame quarterback. Denver went 5-2 in his starts, finishing the regular season atop the AFC with a 12-4 record.

That offseason, the Houston Texans doled out a four-year, $72 million pact to bring Osweiler to town.

The hope was that Osweiler would upgrade an offense that started four quarterbacks on the way to an AFC South title. The good news is Houston won another division crown, but Osweiler still had a dismal year. He tossed 15 touchdowns to 16 interceptions, averaging just 5.8 yards per attempt. The offense mustered only 17.4 points per game.

In a real NBA-type salary dump, the Texans attached second- and sixth-round picks to shed Osweiler’s contract in the offseason.

Running Back: Le’Veon Bell, New York Jets2 of 9

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In five years with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Le’Veon Bell assembled three All-Pro campaigns. So, entering the 2018 season, the superstar running back wanted a substantial raise.

Ultimately, he held out in hopes of securing a new contract—a decision about which he’s since expressed regret.

Bell formally left Pittsburgh in 2019, joining the New York Jets on a four-year agreement for $52 million with $35 million guaranteed. He totaled 1,250 scrimmage yards yet tallied career-low marks of 3.2 yards per carry and 4.0 yards per touch, scoring only four times on 311 touches.

The next season, Bell appeared in just two games before requesting a trade and soon being released.

Wide Receiver: Javon Walker, Oakland Raiders3 of 9

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Javon Walker put together a breakout year with the Green Bay Packers in 2004, catching 89 passes for 1,382 yards and 12 touchdowns. An offseason contract dispute soured his relationship with the team, though, and a torn ACL ended Walker’s year in the 2005 opener.

Green Bay shipped him to Denver, which extended the wideout to the tune of five years and $40 million. Walker registered a 1,000-yard season in 2006, but a tragedy and more injuries altered his future.

Broncos teammate Darrent Williams died in a shooting, falling into the lap of Walker, who was a passenger in the same limousine at the time. It would be entirely unfair to not mention the possible impact it had on Walker’s career.

Then, he posted just 287 receiving yards with zero touchdowns in eight games during an injury-shortened 2007. Denver released him after failing to find a suitor on the trade market.

Nevertheless, the Oakland Raiders offered a six-year, $55 million pact.

Walker ended up appearing in 11 games with Oakland, collecting 15 receptions for 196 yards and one touchdown. He never played another snap in the NFL.

Tight End: Martellus Bennett, Green Bay Packers4 of 9

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Late in the 2010s, Green Bay whiffed on a couple of tight ends. Jimmy Graham never provided the red-zone impact hoped, but at least he managed 1,000 receiving yards in two seasons.

Martellus Bennett lasted just seven games with the team.

Prior to the 2017 season, the Packers signed him to a three-year, $21 million contract. They wanted to give Aaron Rodgers a true threat at tight end, a position that endured a rough 2016 campaign.

On paper, Bennett seemed like a great fit. He’d just snagged 55 passes for 701 yards and seven scores with the New England Patriots.

However, a shoulder injury led to Bennett’s rapid departure. Green Bay released him with a “failure to disclose physical condition” designation, and Bennett played two games in New England before retiring in the offseason.

Offensive Line: Derrick Dockery, Buffalo Bills5 of 9

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After starting at left guard in Washington from 2003 to 2006, Derrick Dockery signed an enormous contract with the Buffalo Bills.

The franchise gave him a seven-year, $49 million deal, one featuring $18 million of guaranteed money. While he started 16 games in both 2007 and 2008, that’s basically where the positive news ends.

Dockery was never more than an average blocker, and the Bills finished both of those seasons at 7-9.

Buffalo moved on from Dockery after that second year, eating the five remaining years on his contract.

Defensive Line: Albert Haynesworth, Washington6 of 9

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Yeah, you probably knew to expect this one.

Easily the worst part of this story is the defensive tackle saying “you’re not going to remember Albert Haynesworth as a bust” after he landed a seven-year, $100 million deal with $41 million guaranteed.

We all, in fact, remember the 2009 signing as a bust. Repeated clashes with Washington coaches, a memorable conditioning saga in training camp and poor on-field results led to Haynesworth’s unceremonious exit. He managed 53 tackles with 6.5 sacks in 20 games.

During the 2011 offseason, Washington dealt him to the Patriots for a fifth-round pick. It would be Haynesworth’s last year in the NFL.

Linebacker: LaVar Arrington, New York Giants7 of 9

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While in the nation’s capital, LaVar Arrington produced three 90-tackle seasons and earned a pair of All-Pro honors. He was a legitimate star for a portion of his time in Washington.

Arrington, however, had a disappointing end to that tenure. Between his agent mishandling an eight-year extension, knee injuries and issues with the coaching staff, Arrington bought out his contract, paying Washington $4.4 million to become a free agent in 2006. Soon, the New York Giants signed him to a seven-year, $49 million pact.

That signature was the high point.

Arrington logged 16 tackles in six appearances before a season-ending Achilles injury also served as the finale to his NFL career. New York released him during the ensuing offseason, and a serious motorcycle accident effectively ended any thoughts of a return.

Cornerback: Nnamdi Asomugha, Philadelphia Eagles8 of 9

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Most recently, J.C. Jackson flamed out of a five-year, $82.5 million contract he signed with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2022. But the unfortunate standard still belongs to Nnamdi Asomugha.

What a surprise that was, too.

Asomugha flat-out dominated for a sizable part of his eight-year run in Oakland. He earned All-Pro recognition in four seasons, including three straight before entering free agency in 2011.

Understandably, the Philadelphia Eagles threw $25 million guaranteed at the elite cornerback as part of a five-year, $60 million deal. The prevailing thought is Philly’s zone-heavy defense did not allow Asomusgha to play his preferred style of press coverage.

Philadelphia released Asomugha after two seasons.

Safety: Adam Archuleta, Washington9 of 9

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Adam Archuleta signed a six-year, $30 million agreement with Washington in 2006, becoming the highest-paid safety in the history of the NFL.

In a word: whoops.

Archuleta had started five seasons for the St. Louis Rams and provided a versatile impact. He totaled 351 tackles with 15 sacks, adding five fumble recoveries and three interceptions.

But that simply did not translate to Archuleta’s lone season in Washington, where he defended a single pass and didn’t create a turnover. Archuleta lost his starting job midway through the 2006 campaign and contributed more on special teams than defense.

Washington shipped him to the Chicago Bears in the offseason.