NFL contracts are often a hot-button issue. People love to debate who is making too much, too little, who deserves more, and who is overpaid. Some athletes outperform their deals, while others cash in and fail to deliver. Teams obviously try hard to avoid the latter situation, but sometimes things don’t work out as hoped.
With all of that in mind, here is a look at the five worst contracts in the NFL.
5. Jared Goff, QB, Detroit Lions
Some are not going to like the inclusion of Jared Goff on this list, but at four years and $134 million, with $110 million guaranteed, he is the ninth-highest paid QB in the NFL (average annual salary). That’s a lot of coin for a guy who isn’t a top-10 quarterback. Sure, there is some value to Goff — he completes passes at a high percentage and will put up the yards — but there’s a reason he got shipped off to Detroit. Maybe the fresh start will serve Goff well. But if his inconsistency issues, lack of an internal clock and ability to make decision when things break down don’t improve, the acquisition will be a losing gamble for the Lions. Luckily for Detroit, they’ll have an “out” in 2022 if they desire to move on.
4. Whitney Mercilus, LB, Houston Texans
Whitney Mercilus was a first-round pick of the Texans during the 2012 NFL Draft and has never taken a single snap for another team. Mercilus still being with the same team is impressive. His four-year, $54 million deal with $28.5 million guaranteed on the other hand?
