NFL · 17 minutes ago

The 40 Worst Signings in 2026 NFL Free Agency

Grant White

Host · Writer

Jake Bailey - P
New Team: Atlanta Falcons

Contract: 3 Years, $9 Million

The Atlanta Falcons have failed to reach their potential. Despite years of top draft picks and unbridled potential, the Falcons remain one of the worst teams in the league. While everyone was off making themselves better in free agency, the Falcons were busy tidying up their punting game.

This might be the perfect analogy for this franchise. Instead of targeting key players or areas of need, Atlanta had the foresight to anticipate that it would need a lot out of its punting game next season. The offense will continue to sputter, and there are too many weaknesses on defense to compete.

It's all on you next season, Jake Bailey. It's a damn shame the NFL doesn't allow "the rouge" like the CFL; it might have been the Falcons' only hope of winning games.
Zion Johnson - G
New Team: Cleveland Browns

Contract: 3 Years, $49.5 Million

Once you're not good enough for any other team, the Cleveland Browns will always overpay you. That's the case again as they ventured into free agency to hand Zion Johnson the bag, inking the guard to a three-year $49.5 million contract.

Johnson was part of one of the worst offensive lines in the league last season. While he's still young and athletic, Johnson hasn't proven capable of being the stalwart he was projected to be when he was drafted 17th overall in 2022.

It's a good thing that Shedeur Sanders is athletic and mobile because he's going to spend a lot of time on the run next season.
Alontae Taylor - CB
New Team: Tennessee Titans

Contract: 3 Years, $58 Million

There's a lot to like about Alontae Taylor, but there are also a lot of shortcomings the Tennessee Titans overlooked when they signed their new cornerback.

Taylor is still young and has a proven track record of breaking up passes. However, he's allowed an increased catch rate in every one of his seasons, culminating with a 68.1% completion rate in 2024. Moreover, he wouldn't have as many breakups as he does if quarterbacks didn't think they could expose him as a cornerback.

Taylor is a formidable secondary contributor, but he's not the type of guy to lead a defense. Tennessee overpaid for a mid-range option, thinking that Taylor would transform their secondary.
Wan'Dale Robinson - WR
New Team: Tennessee Titans

Contract: 4 Years, $70 Million

Wan'Dale Robinson had a breakout campaign in 2024, setting new career-highs virtually across the board. Still, one good season doesn't validate that he's worth a $70 million contract.

For the first (and only) time in his career, Robinson eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark. He had similar targets (140) and receptions (93) in 2024 as he did last season (140, 92), but saw over a 300-yard boost in yards, as he was the only competent pass-catcher in the Giants' lineup.

Assuredly, Robinson is a quality receiver, but he's not the game-changing talent the Titans need in their lineup.
Malik Willis - QB
New Team: Miami Dolphins

Contract: 3 Years, $67.5 Million

Competent starting quarterbacks don't just wander through free agency. So, the Miami Dolphins had to step up and make a play on one of the few names available. At the end of the day, Malik Willis doesn't possess the skillset to reverse the Dolphins' fortunes.

As far as quarterback contracts go, there's an argument to be made that Miami underpaid for Willis' services. However, this is effectively a downgrade from Tua Tagovailoa, and it comes at the expense of the Dolphins' offense.

Miami gutted its offense this offseason, meaning Willis will be tasked with leading the Dolphins with no supporting cast. Unless there are some additional moves on the horizon, the Dolphins could be relegated to a top draft pick for years to come.
Isiah Pacheco - RB
New Team: Detroit Lions

Contract: 1 Year, $1.8 Million

I'm sure Detroit Lions fans are looking at this signing as the bargain it is. Still, Isiah Pacheco doesn't replace David Montgomery's production and downgrades this offense.

Pacheco hasn't come close to matching the offensive production from his first two years in the league. He went from 4.8 yards per carry in 2022-2023 to 3.8 in 2024-25. Further, he has a similar profile to Jahmyr Gibbs, weakening the dichotomy that allowed the Lions' offense to change gears so seamlessly.

This signing does nothing to improve the Lions. Invest that money in another area of need.
Javon Hargrave - DL
New Team: Green Bay Packers

Contract: 2 Years, $23 Million

If the Green Bay Packers were paying attention, they would have seen that Javon Hargrave was just released from an identical contract. We're not convinced the hulking defensive lineman has much left in his tank this late in his career.

Last offseason, Hargrave inked a two-year, $30 milion contract with the rival Minnesota Vikings. Unsatisfied with his production, the Vikings cut ties with Hargrave when the 2026 season officially began. Green Bay swooped in, promising him a similar contract, hopeful that Hargrave could shake the injuries that had slowed him down later in his career.

This move won't pay off for the Packers, and Hargrave could be in a similar position at the end of next season.
Cordale Flott - CB
New Team: Tennessee Titans

Contract: 3 Years, $45 Million

The Tennessee Titans overpaid for another cornerback coming off a rookie contract. In an attempt to reshape their secondary, the Titans overvalued Cor'Dale Flott.

Flott spent the first four seasons of his career with the New York Giants, producing results ranging from mediocre to above average. He started 14 games for New York last season, only recording 38 tackles, albeit with 11 passes defensed. Flott has improved in pass coverage, but he struggles to stand up to the run and is a one-dimensional contributor.

Given the Titans' recent track record, it's unlikely that Flott and Alontae Taylor will develop into game-changing stalwarts the Titans paid them to be.
Kwity Paye - EDGE
New Team: Las Vegas Raiders

Contract: 3 Years, $48 Million

The Las Vegas Raiders had a gaping void on the edge of their defensive line that needed filling. But given how the Maxx Crosby trade played out, this looks like a terrible signing.

Kwity Paye's production waned last season, with the edge rusher accumulating just 4.0 sacks and 39 tackles, only six of which came for a loss. While he may have been able to bolster those numbers in a starting role, it's unlikely he'll get that opportunity with Crosby back in the fold.

The Raiders have way too much money tied up in edge rushers, and they won't be able to wiggle free from this Paye signing.
Odafe Oweh - EDGE
New Team: Washington Commanders

Contract: 4 Years, $100 Million

Players are a function of their system, and Odafe Oweh was undoubtedly a beneficiary of playing on a stacked line with the Los Angeles Chargers. The Washington Commanders paid him like he could be the anchor on defense, but those shoes are too big for Oweh to fill.

Oweh has started more than six games only once in his career. And let's not forget that he went five games without a sack with the Baltimore Ravens to start last season before being traded.

Oweh is getting premier money without having the resume to back it up. He may live up to those lofty expectations in Washington, but it's not probable.
Alijah Vera-Tucker - OL
New Team: New England Patriots

Contract: 3 Years, $42 Million

The New England Patriots acknowledged that they had some adjustments to make on the offensive line, but they are targeting the wrong guy, Alijah Vera-Tucker, to fix those.

Vera-Tucker has struggled to stay healthy early in his career. He started seven games back in 2022 before tearing his triceps, following that up with five starts in 2023 before going down with an Achilles injury. He looked sharp in 2024, but then suffered another triceps tear last season and didn't appear in a game.

Health is a determining factor for longevity, and in that regard, Vera-Tucker is not a success story. Maybe he shakes that reputation moving forward, but we're not counting on it.
Boye Mafe - EDGE
New Team: Cincinnati Bengals

Contract: 3 Years, $60 Million

Desperate to replace Trey Hendrickson, the Bengals went out and overspent on Boye Mafe. The edge defender was a part of the Seahawks' championship run last season, but he can't be counted on to shoulder the load in Cincinnati.

Mafe was used this past season sparingly, starting just four of his 17 games while playing only 50.0% of the snaps. With that, he recorded only 2.0 sacks, both of which came against inferior opponents (Cardinals, Panthers). It's unlikely he sees a surge in production in the AFC North.

Earnings $60 million over three years, it's unlikely Mafe will fulfill his contract. But with only $19 million guaranteed, the Bengals could look to move on with a relatively small dead cap hit.
Nakobe Dean - LB
New Team: Las Vegas Raiders

Contract: 3 Years, $36.03 Million

After the Maxx Crosby trade was initially accepted, the Raiders felt like they had money to blow. In an attempt to strengthen their defensive acumen, the Raiders added Nakobe Dean to their linebackers corps. We're not counting on Dean to deliver in Sin City.

Injuries have lowered Dean's ceiling over the past few seasons. The Georgia product appeared in just five games in 2023, 15 in 2024, and then 10 last season. While he saw a boost in his sack total, Dean's overall metrics suffered. He struggled in pass coverage and had a career-worst 9.8% missed tackle rate.

Dean was a defensive liability last season. He's getting paid to be a leader on defense, but he's more likely to be deployed in limited pass-rush schemes. And with Crosby back in the fold, his contributions will be minimal.
Romeo Doubs - WR
New Team: New England Patriots

Contract: 4 Years, $68 Million

The Patriots need a premier pass-catcher on offense. No matter how much they pay Romeo Doubs, he's not that guy.

Doubs was a staple of the Packers' passing attack over the past few seasons. Still, he never cracked the upper-echelon of pass-catchers. He's coming off a career-best 724 receiving yards last year, but continues to put forward a mediocre catch rate in the low 60s. Further, Doubs has never exceeded 3.5 receptions a game throughout his career.

The Patriots are paying a premium for Doubs while getting mid-range production. Surely, they could have found a top-tier wideout in this year's draft class, yielding similar production at a much cheaper salary.
Isaac Seumalo - OG
New Team: Arizona Cardinals

Contract: 3 Years, $31.5 Million

Isaac Seumalo is an elite offensive lineman. He's one year removed from his lone Pro Bowl appearance and has started 61 games over the past four seasons. But at 32, the Cardinals can't assume he'll live up to his contract for the next three seasons.

This move looks even more foolish when we factor in Arizona's decision to move on from Kyler Murray. Now, an aging offensive lineman is tasked with blocking a journeyman quarterback in one of the worst offenses in the league.

The Cardinals' lack of resource management is appalling. Seumalo's late-career legacy will be tarnished in Arizona.
Jamel Dean - CB
New Team: Pittsburgh Steelers

Contract: 3 Years, $36.75 Million

The Steelers' secondary was in a state of disarray last season. Inconsistency plagued the once-proud defense, costing them their head coach in the process. Their fix to one of their more notable shortcomings was to find an equally inconsistent cornerback in free agency.

Jamel Dean spent the first seven years of his career in Tampa Bay, with his role diminishing in recent seasons. Dean went from a 90.0% snap count in 2022 to 75% in 2025. Over that stretch, he's given up more yards per completion, culminating with 14.6 in 2025, and a combined 10 touchdowns.

For a franchise built on defense, it's not clear what the Steelers see in Dean. Thankfully, only $12 million is guaranteed in this deal. Inevitably, Pittsburgh will walk away sooner rather than later.
Ryan Wright - P
New Team: New Orleans Saints

Contract: 4 Years, $14 Million

Locking up a punter for four years is a bold move for any team, let alone one that is in the middle of a rebuild.

Surely, the New Orleans Saints could have allocated at least some of their salary cap to improving their offense, instead of paying a punter $14 million over four years. Yet, here we are, with Ryan Wright securing his place as one of the highest-paid punters in the NFL on one of the worst teams.

This goes to show what the Saints are expecting in terms of production next season. You can bet your ass they'll be getting their $14 million out of Wright.
Dee Alford - CB
New Team: Buffalo Bills

Contract: 3 Years, $15.75 Million

The pass defense was a concern for the Buffalo Bills last season. To address their issues, they went out and signed one of the most inconsistent cornerbacks on the open market.

Dee Alford has alternated between serviceable and abysmal coverage throughout his career. He started a career-high 11 games in 2024 while posting a 72.0% completion rate and allowing a 117.9 passer rating. He improved somewhat last season, but his 67.1% completion rating and 7.2 yards per target were cause for concern.

When the Bills are doing their end-of-season presser after the Divisional Round next year, this signing will stand out as one of their biggest missteps.
Demario Davis - LB
New Team: New York Jets

Contract: 2 Years, $22 Million

Few players last until age 37, and even fewer are rewarded with a two-year contract worth $22 million. Demario Davis is one of the lucky few, but we're not convinced he'll live up to the deal.

Davis was still a productive linebacker last season. The former All-Pro started all 17 games for the Saints, recording an astounding 143 tackles. Still, he'll be almost 40 years old when this contract expires, and the Jets are on the hook for $15 million guaranteed.

This was a risky move for a franchise that is completely out of touch with how to build a competent franchise. Maybe Davis delivers, but it's more likely he fades into the background in New York.
Rashid Shaheed - WR
New Team: Seattle Seahawks

Contract: 3 Years, $51 Million

We get it. Rashid Shaheed landed in the Emerald City and made an immediate impact with the Seattle Seahawks, helping them win a Super Bowl. Still, his most prominent contributions were made on special teams, and Shaheed demonstrated the ability to produce as a pass-catcher.

Shaheed's receiving metrics don't support that he's worth $51 million over three seasons. The undrafted wideout has fallen below 488 receiving yards in two of his four seasons, mustering just 188 in nine games with the Seahawks last season. Moreover, he struggled with a 57.7% catch rate, which is easily replicable by any other undrafted wideout.

The Seahawks invested heavily in Shaheed, assuming he would continue to deliver on special teams and become a more reliable pass-catcher. Surely, some of this money could have been used to solidify their secondary instead.
Kirk Cousins - QB
New Team: Las Vegas Raiders

Contract: 3 Years, $172 Million

When Kirk Cousins is recounting his NFL glory days to his grandkids from his gold throne, he'll be wiping away his tears with $1,000 bills. Somehow, Kirky Chains secured the bag yet again, inking a $172 million pact with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Before this deal, Cousins signed a massive four-year $180 million deal with the Falcons ahead of the 2024 season. He proceeded to lead the league in interceptions that year, before being relegated to a backup role last season. He ended up playing in 10 games while completing just 61.7% of his passes for a 47.6 quarterback rating.

We have no idea what the Raiders saw in Cousins, or how that necessitated a $172 million deal. Any other veteran could have come in as a backup/mentor for Fernando Mendoza, and they all would have come at a fraction of the cost.
Alohi Gilman - S
New Team: Kansas City Chiefs

Contract: 3 Years, $24 Million

The Chiefs went full sell mode early this offseason, tearing apart their secondary in favor of future pieces. They will obviously target a few secondary defenders via the draft, but it's unclear if Alohi Gilman has anything to offer.

Gilman split last season between the Ravens and Chargers. While he looked better in Baltimore, Gilman still looks like he's lost a step. Throughout his six years in the NFL, the safety has given up a 66.5% completion rating in coverage. Last season, he gave up the most passing yards of his career. In coverage, that translates to a 113.7 opposing quarterback rating, making Gilman a game-changing presence in the worst way.

The Chiefs obviously don't think very highly of any of the safeties in this year's draft class. Unfortunately, they have also overvalued Gilman.
Khyiris Tonga - DL
New Team: Kansas City Chiefs

Contract: 3 Years, $21 Million

Losing isn't an option in Kansas City, so the Chiefs needed to act swiftly to rebuild their defense. Unfortunately for them, the moves they keep making aren't expected to pay off.

Khyiris Tonga has bounced around early in his career, failing to make an impact at any stop. He spent a year with the Bears, two with Minnesota, and a year with the Cardinals before joining the Pats on their Super Bowl run. Throughout that span, the defensive lineman has racked up 113 tackles without any meaningful contributions along the way.

The Chiefs are obviously hoping they can extract maximum value from Tonga. But even at his best, we don't see the appeal on a three-year, $21 million deal.
Micheal Clemons - EDGE
New Team: Indianapolis Colts

Contract: 3 Years, $17 Million

After the 2024 season, Micheal Clemons looked like he might be on the right track with the New York Jets; however, he quickly regressed last season. In desperate need of an edge rusher, the Indianapolis Colts went out of overpaid for the edge rusher.

Clemons started all 17 games for the Jets in 2024, recording 34 tackles and 4.5 sacks. He would go on to start just six games in 2025, while appearing in 16, notching 1.0 sack and 22 tackles. Altogether, it's a lackluster body of work, which the Colts were willing to overpay for.

A one-year deal would have been sufficient for Clemons. Instead, Indianapolis locked him up for three. The only saving grace is the $6.99 million guaranteed makes this is easy deal to walk away from if/when Clemons fails to deliver.
Cole Strange - OG
New Team: Los Angeles Chargers

Contract: 2 Years, $13 Million

Once a highly regarded offensive lineman, Cole Strange has failed to deliver since his rookie campaign. After starting all 17 games in 2022, the offensive guard has been on a downward trajectory. While there's still time to salvage his career, that's unlikely to happen with the Los Angeles Chargers.

Over the past few seasons, no team has had a worse offensive line than the Chargers. With that, it becomes increasingly unlikely that Strange receives the coaching and support to shed his former persona and live up to the hype as a former first-round draft pick.

Maybe Strange knows something we don't, but it seems like this was a miscalculated gamble by his agent. We'll wait and see if the move pays off, but we're not counting on it.
Malcolm Koonce - EDGE
New Team: Las Vegas Raiders

Contract: 1 Year, $11 Million

Malcolm Koonce was a valuable secondary contributor last season, and he could very well live up to his $11 million deal. Still, the timing of this deal is a little peculiar.

After the Ravens nixed the Maxx Crosby trade, the Raiders have a surplus of edge rushers. They had already signed Kwity Paye to a deal, while also adding a trio of linebackers to the mix. Then, the day after Las Vegas found out it was getting Crosby back, it decided to re-up with Koonce on the one-year deal.

This is more an indictment of the Raiders' management mishandling their roster adjustments. They will have at least five edge rushers competing for playing time in the regular season, and we don't see how Koonce fits into the plans.
Wyatt Teller - OG
New Team: Houston Texans

Contract: 2 Years, $16 Million

The Texans don't have the best track record on their offensive line, making their decision to sign Wyatt Teller to a two-year deal a little curious. An eight-year veteran, Teller has spent the last seven years with the Browns. However, he's two years removed from his last productive campaign, and we're not confident the Texans can help him regain his form.

Houston deserves credit for reshaping its offensive line last year, but the Texans could regress quickly in 2026. They have slapped together another patchwork offensive line, turning to less reliable veterans to protect their franchise quarterback. Teller has started 13 games in each of the past two seasons, but injuries have prevented him from operating at full capacity.

Even if he does come into camp at full health, Teller will be 32 by the end of next season. We're not convinced he'll solve Houston's problems, and drafting a young interior offensive lineman was probably the way to go.
Arden Key - EDGE
New Team: Indianapolis Colts

Contract: 2 Years, $16 Million

The Colts needed to act fast to snag an edge rusher in this year's free agent class. Still, we can't help but think that they acted too hastily in adding Arden Key on a two-year pact.

Key had one standout year in 2024, amid otherwise ho-hum production. Other than 2024, he hasn't started more than nine games in a season, and is coming off 4.0 sacks and 22 tackles in 12 games (nine starts) last year.

The issue with Key's contract is that $11 of the $16 million is guaranteed money. Key has a lot to prove, and it's unlikely that he replaces the lost production for the Colts.
Trent Williams - OT
New Team: San Francisco 49ers

Contract: 2 Years, $50 Million

When Trent Williams settles into the Hall of Fame, he can reflect fondly on the last few years of his career. The offensive tackle inked a two-year deal to stay in San Francisco, with $37 million guaranteed.

There is no denying Trent Williams' value. He's made the Pro Bowl in every season in 12 of the past 14 seasons, and the only times he missed were due to injury. On top of that, he was a first-team All-Pro from 2021 to 2023, regaining second-team honors last season.

Still, from the Niners' standpoint, this deal doesn't make much sense. San Francisco needs to reinvest in its defense and could use some cap flexibility to accommodate a few upgrades on offense. Williams is worth it, but we don't think the 49ers thought this one through.
Mike Evans - WR
New Team: San Francisco 49ers

Contract: 3 Years, $42.4 Million

It's a well-accepted fact that wide receivers see a dramatic decrease in effectiveness beyond their age-30 or age-31 season. Mike Evans is a perfect example of that. After terrorizing opponents with 11 straight 1,000-yard receiving seasons, Evans hit a plateau in 2025. It's unlikely he finds his previous form in San Francisco.

Injuries were obviously a factor in Evans' diminished production, but other factors are at play. He recorded a 48.4% catch percentage last season, easily the worst mark of his career. Moreover, his yards per reception and receptions per game hit an all-time low.

Don't expect Mike Evans to make any Pro Bowls with the Niners. His best years are behind him, and he will struggle to validate this $42.4 million contract.
Jaelan Phillips - LB
New Team: Carolina Panthers

Contract: 4 Years, $120 Million

Desperate to reshape their defense, the Panthers have overpaid for one of the top linebackers on the market.

For the first time in his five-year career, Jaelan Phillips started all 17 games last season, splitting time between the Dolphins and Eagles. He had one of the most productive stretches of his career, but it still fell short of $120 million in production. He has never recorded more than 61 tackles in a season, and hasn't eclipsed 7.0 tackles since 2023.

Maybe Carolina can find a way to help Phillips improve his impact. We think it's more likely that this goes down as one of the worst signings in 2026 free agency.
J.K. Dobbins - RB
New Team: Denver Broncos

Contract: 2 Years, $16 Million

It was a hell of a season from the Denver Broncos. Still, J.K. Dobbins doesn't get all the credit for the Broncos' run game successes. The oft-injured running back was limited to just 10 games in 2025, casting doubt on whether he'll live up to his two-year deal to stay in Denver.

Dobbins has never played a full professional season. He appeared in 15 games as a rookie in 2020, albeit with only one start. In the five seasons since then, he's appeared in 32 games, failing to tolerate the rigors of being a full-time starter.

If Dobbins stays healthy, he could very well live up to the value of this deal. Given his lengthy injury history, we're betting that won't be the case. Even though only half the money is guaranteed, this could backfire on the Broncos.
Julian Hill - TE
New Team: New England Patriots

Contract: 3 Years, $15 Million

Blocking tight ends are an underappreciated asset in the NFL. Acting as an insulating layer in pass protection while also serving as a receiving outlet, a quality dual-threat tight end is hard to come by.

That's not to say that Julian Hill isn't a solid option, but we have a hard time believing he'll deliver on his latest deal. Hill spent the past three seasons with the Miami Dolphins, accumulating 288 receiving yards on 33 receptions. His career-best year came in 2025, when Hill totaled 140 yards in 14 games.

The Pats committed $15 million to Hill over the next three years, which is a huge financial commitment for a blocking tight end. It becomes even more questionable as New England drafted another tight end in Round 3. Altogether, an unfortunate signing.
Amik Robertson - CB
New Team: Washington Commanders

Contract: 2 Years, $15.02 Million

Amik Robertson carved out a more prominent role in the Lions' secondary last season, but it didn't yield more positive results. The cornerback still struggled in coverage and could prove to be a liability in the Commanders' already suspect secondary.

Robertson had 12 passes defended last season, which was the only promising metric on his stat sheet. He allowed a concerning 67.3% coverage completion rate, contributing to a 115.3 passer rating for opposing quarterbacks. That was the third time since 2020 in which he allowed a completion percentage above 66.7% and a passer rating north of 115.3.

The Commanders needed to improve their secondary, but Robertson doesn't constitute an upgrade. Washington could have a tough time rationalizing this deal at the end of next season.
Nick Cross - S
New Team: Washington Commanders

Contract: 2 Years, $13 Million

Washington's defensive miscues on the field are matched by its offseason moves. In addition to seeking out an ineffective cornerback, the Commanders also targeted the wrong safety.

Nick Cross was brought in on a two-year deal, looking to build on two moderately successful years. The safety has 266 tackles over the past couple of years, 120 of which came last season. Still, a significant amount of tackles isn't always the characteristic worth prioritizing in secondary defenders.

Across the same time frame, Cross has given up a 68.4% completion rating in coverage, yielding nine touchdowns and a passer rating north of 100. Moreover, he had a 10.4% missed tackle rate. After the Cross signing, the holes in Washington's secondary look even bigger.
Alex Singleton - LB
New Team: Denver Broncos

Contract: 2 Years, $15 Million

Alex Singleton has been a stalwart of the Broncos' defense for the past few years. After his recent deal, he's virtually guaranteed to be a factor for the next two seasons. However, we're predicting diminishing returns before the end of the contract.

A torn ACL cost Singleton almost the entirety of the 2024 season. While he bounced back nicely with 135 tackles last year, the linebacker will be 33 years old by the end of the 2026 campaign, and that was his lowest tackle total since 2020.

Arguably, linebacker is the most physically demanding position on the field. Singleton has fulfilled his role valiantly, but he's got his work cut out for him maintaining that production through the end of this deal.
Diego Pavia - QB
New Team: Baltimore Ravens

Contract: 3 Years

At the end of last season, there were some questions about whether Lamar Jackson was committed to the Ravens' long-term plans. So to insulate their quarterback position and develop a potential successor, Baltimore went out and signed the most mercurial player in recent memory.

Diego Pavia went undrafted for a reason. His off-field antics date back as far as you're willing to look. He's gotten into spats with fans during games, taken to social media for undeserved rants, and pissed on a team's logo. For some reason, the Ravens thought this was exactly the kind of player they needed to pick up to fill Jackson's mantle if he decides to leave.

The character issues are one thing, but Pavia is undersized, and his playing style won't translate to the NFL. Moreover, Baltimore added Joe Fagnano at the same time, who arguably has more upside than Pavia.

Pavia's time in the limelight has rightfully come to an end. Not sure what the Baltimore Ravens are thinking with this one.
Sebastian Joseph-Day - DL
New Team: Pittsburgh Steelers

Contract: 2 Years, $11 Million

Eight years into his NFL career, Sebastian Joseph-Day is already a bit of a journeyman. The defensive lineman has already played for four teams, including three over the past three years. With that, we're not entirely sure why the Steelers decided to invest $11 million in Joseph-Day over the next two years.

Last year, Pittsburgh drafted Derrick Harmon to play opposite Cameron Heyward. While Heyward is in his twilight years, Harmon was a first-round selection and had a moderately successful foray into the pro game. It's not clear how Joseph-Day figures into the Steelers' defensive plans or how much playing time he'll get behind Harmon or Heyward.

Investing $11 million into a backup defensive lineman isn't the type of move that will afford the Steelers the financial flexibility they need to offset T.J. Watt's massive contract. This is a curious signing that doesn't make the Steelers better.
Mitchell Trubisky - QB
New Team: Tennessee Titans

Contract: 2 Years, $10.5 Million

The Titans have their man in Cam Ward. The former first-overall draft pick had a ho-hum introduction to the NFL, but he'll be given free rein to find his rhythm and validate his top selection. We have no idea what Ward could learn from Mitchell Trubisky, or why the former bust was brought in to mentor the Titans' franchise quarterback.

Trubisky hasn't started a game since 2023 and was on mop-up duty over the past couple of seasons with the Bills. Throughout his career, the former second-overall pick has struggled with interceptions and has been rated as one of the worst pivots in the league in virtually every analytics category.

If there's one guy you want to learn from, it's not Trubisky. And you can bet more than $10.5 million that he's nowhere near the top of that list.
Trey Pipkins III - OT
New Team: Los Angeles Chargers

Contract: 2 Years, $10 Million

For years, the knock on the Los Angeles Chargers has been their inferior offensive line. Curiously, they decided to re-up with one of the more notable underperformers, inking him to a two-year pact with half of that guaranteed.

Trey Pipkins III has struggled at the professional level. A former third-round pick, the offensive tackle ranked 84th out of 89 offensive tackles last season, finishing dead last in run blocking. In a position that values consistency and durability, Pipkins also had one of the lowest snap counts of the position, playing just 606 offensive snaps last season.

Surely, there were other offensive linemen available in free agency who added more value than Pipkins. If not, the Chargers could have gotten similar production from an offensive tackle in the draft or as an undrafted free agent, for a fraction of the cost.

When the Chargers' offense continues to struggle next season, it will all tie back to their offensive line.
Jake Bailey - P
New Team: Atlanta Falcons

Contract: 3 Years, $9 Million

The Atlanta Falcons have failed to reach their potential. Despite years of top draft picks and unbridled potential, the Falcons remain one of the worst teams in the league. While everyone was off making themselves better in free agency, the Falcons were busy tidying up their punting game.

This might be the perfect analogy for this franchise. Instead of targeting key players or areas of need, Atlanta had the foresight to anticipate that it would need a lot out of its punting game next season. The offense will continue to sputter, and there are too many weaknesses on defense to compete.

It's all on you next season, Jake Bailey. It's a damn shame the NFL doesn't allow "the rouge" like the CFL; it might have been the Falcons' only hope of winning games.
Zion Johnson - G
New Team: Cleveland Browns

Contract: 3 Years, $49.5 Million

Once you're not good enough for any other team, the Cleveland Browns will always overpay you. That's the case again as they ventured into free agency to hand Zion Johnson the bag, inking the guard to a three-year $49.5 million contract.

Johnson was part of one of the worst offensive lines in the league last season. While he's still young and athletic, Johnson hasn't proven capable of being the stalwart he was projected to be when he was drafted 17th overall in 2022.

It's a good thing that Shedeur Sanders is athletic and mobile because he's going to spend a lot of time on the run next season.

The 40 Worst Signings in 2026 NFL Free Agency

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