5 Worst QB Contracts in NFL History
By Michael Luciano
Beware, teams who are looking for a quarterback in free agency. Success in one offensive scheme may not necessarily translate to another, no matter how much money you throw at the free agent quarterback you've had your eyes on for the longest time. The constant need for teams without a franchise quarterback to find one in free agency has resulted in some of the worst contracts at any position in the history of the NFL.
With apologies (congratulations?) to Jeff George's Redskins contract that saw him cut before the third game of his second season, Jeff Garcia's lone season as a Brown, and Mike Glennon's Bears tenure, these are the five worst quarterback contracts in NFL history.
5. Neil O'Donnell, New York Jets: Five Years, $25 Million
O'Donnell had led the Pittsburgh Steelers to a Super Bowl in 1995 before throwing two interceptions directly to Larry Brown to seal a Cowboys win. Rich Kotite's Jets, desperate fo a QB after a 3-13 season in '95, spent $25 million on O'Donnell. Often injured, he started just six games, all losses, in New York's 1-15 season in 1996. His play improved in 1997 under Bill Parcells, but he was eventually benched for Glenn Foley and cut after two seasons. 1996 was the lowest moment in Jets history, and O'Donnell was right at the center of it.
4. Elvis Grbac, Baltimore Ravens: Five Years, $30 Million
Trent Dilfer was merely along for the ride on a Ravens team that took home a Super Bowl in 2000, and Brain Billick wanted an upgrade at quarterback for 2001. With a 32-21 record as a starter, 13,000 career yards, and 84 touchdowns, the 6-5, 235 pound Grbac seemed ideal for a Ravens team looking to repeat. Someway, somehow, he was worse than Dilfer. Grbac, who made a Pro Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2000, threw more interceptions (18) than touchdowns (15) in his 14 starts as the Ravens were pummeled by the Steelers in the playoffs. Grbac was released at the end of the year and he retired shortly thereafter, immortalizing himself as an all-time bust.
3. Brock Osweiler, Houston Texans: Four Years, $72 Million
Osweiler had a few decent games in relief of Peyton Manning during Denver's championship season of 2015. In need of a quarterback, Bill O'Brien decided to pay Osweiler $72 million despite never having a face-to-face meeting with him. Osweiler was instantly exposed, as the 6-8 gunslinger threw more picks than touchdowns while putting up a measly 5.8 yards per attempt. He did win a playoff game, but the Texans traded him to Cleveland shortly after the season. He played for two more years as a backup before retiring.
2. Nick Foles, Jacksonville Jaguars: Four Years, $88 Million
The only active contract on this list, the Jaguars are having major buyer's remorse after signing the Super Bowl LII hero to an $88 million contract to be their franchise quarterback. Foles was immediately injured in Week 1, and Washington State rookie Gardner Minshew proceeded to "Wally Pipp" Foles shortly there after. Foles made four starts this season, and lost all four of them while throwing just three touchdowns. Conversely, Minshew threw 21 touchdowns against six picks while helping Jacksonville go 6-6 in games he started. $22 million a year for a backup quarterback is not exactly a wise investment.
1. Matt Flynn, Seattle Seahawks: Three Years, $27 Million
Say what you will about the first four candidates on this list, as least they managed to actually start some games. Following a six touchdown performance in relief of Aaron Rodgers, the former LSU star inked a deal with the Seattle Seahawks to serve as their starting quarterback. That same year, the Seahawks used a third-round pick on Russell Wilson, who quickly established himself as the superior passer. Flynn went 5-for-9 with 58 yards as a Seahawk, eventually getting traded to Oakland before ending up back in Green Bay. Roughly, the Seahawks paid him $1 million per pass. Ouch.