NFL owners are constantly throwing money around, but sometimes they give too much to the wrong players at the wrong time. So here are the 5 worst contracts in the NFL as of the end of the 2023-24 NFL season:
Daniel Jones:
Remaining Contract: 3 years, $120,000,000
After a surprising 10-7 2022 season, the Giants signed their young quarterback to a 4-year $160 million contract. However, the Giants went 10-7 and won a playoff game in spite of Daniel Jones. This became even more apparent in hindsight of the monstrous contract, as the 2023 season has been a disaster for Jones and the Giants. Injuries limited Daniel Jones to just six games in 2023, but his play has noticeably regressed when on the field. Jones's atrocious two touchdowns to six interceptions and 70.3 passer rating are enough to make this one of the NFL's worst contracts.
Jamaal Adams:
Remaining Contract: 2 years, $35,290,000
Jamaal Adams was one of the NFL's best safeties- until he signed a sizeable contract. Ever since the Seahawks signed Adams in 2021, the former Jets' safety has not only been a nonfactor, but rather a liability to a struggling Seattle defense. Jamaal Adams hasn't recorded a single sack during the last three seasons, after recording 9.5 in 2020. He also misses 15.8% of tackles, on a defensive squad with the most missed tackles in the NFL. Unless Jamaal Adams returns to his pro-bowl level of play, the Seahawks' $35 million will go to waste.
Deshaun Watson:
Remaining Contract: 3 years, $138,000,000
The Browns swung for the fences by signing All-Pro quarterback Deshaun Watson to a humongous contract after Watson hadn't played a single snap in nearly two years. It's now been two seasons since the signing, and it's safe to say that the Browns completely whiffed. Watson's play has been nowhere near his vintage self, as he's forgotten how to wait in the pocket for secondary reads. He instead runs out of the pocket and improvises if Amari Cooper isn't open, which hasn't fit into Kevin Stefanski's play-action heavy scheme. Deshaun Watson has gone from one of the best quarterbacks in the game to one of the worst, but at least he's insanely rich.
Ronnie Stanley:
Remaining Contract: 2 years, $39,500,000
Ronnie Stanley is paid more than any other offensive tackle in the NFL, though his production has not lived up to that hefty contract. The Ravens' veteran O-lineman picked the worst possible time to massively regress: subsequently after signing a substantial contract. After an injury-riddled 2021 season, Stanley's production wasn't the same. He allowed a career-worst four sacks on 721 offensive snaps for a woeful 64.9 PFF player grade in 2023. Only time will tell if Ronnie Stanley returns to his elite-caliber play during the next two seasons of his contract.
J.C. Jackson:
Remaining Contract: $49,500,000
J.C. Jackson is another one of those players who thrived under Bill Belichick's system but failed to deliver their talents elsewhere. After recording a league-leading 23 passes defended and eight interceptions in 2021, the star cornerback was traded to the Chargers where he got paid more than Keenan Allen. J.C. Jackson completely flopped on the Chargers, defending just 11 passes and one interception during his 13 games in Los Angeles. The hefty contract was then picked up by the Patriots midway through the 2023 season, but Jackson's production hasn't come close to that of his former self.
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