Greatest and worst NFL free-agent contracts since 2020: Largest offers ranked

This week marks the begin of the NFL’s annual spending spree. The league’s two-day negotiating window opens Monday at midday ET, kicking off a wave of offers that can reshape rosters earlier than free company formally begins Wednesday.

Massive names will transfer. Massive cash might be spent. And historical past suggests quite a lot of it will not age nicely.

Each offseason brings huge contracts for the highest unrestricted free brokers, however the return on funding is wildly uneven. For each signing that helps push a contender excessive, a number of others rapidly develop into cautionary tales. Beneath, we break down the 5 greatest and 5 worst big-ticket free-agent contracts since 2020.

Greatest big-ticket contracts since 2020

1. Sam Darnold, QB, Seattle Seahawks (2025)

Simply final offseason, the Seattle Seahawks gambled by buying and selling Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders and signing Sam Darnold in free company. Sure, Darnold was coming off a profession yr during which he gained 14 video games with the Minnesota Vikings, however there is no query he flailed down the stretch, which left some groups hesitant to pursue him. 

The previous No. 3 total decide signed a three-year, $100.5 million cope with Seattle in free company. That $33.5 million AAV got here in decrease than what some anticipated, nevertheless it was nonetheless the second-largest contract of the offseason. Darnold in fact went on to develop into the primary beginning quarterback to win a Tremendous Bowl after taking part in for 5 groups, and the primary quarterback from that vaunted 2018 class that included Baker Mayfield, Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson to make the Tremendous Bowl. 

Darnold’s particular person statistics didn’t meet his 2024 season with the Vikings, however there is no query he performed a giant half in Seattle’s stunning success this yr. He grew to become simply the fifth quarterback to ever register a number of 14-win seasons, becoming a member of Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes, Peyton Manning and Joe Montana. 

2. Trey Hendrickson, EDGE, Cincinnati Bengals (2021)

In 2021, Trey Hendrickson signed a four-year, $60 million contract with the Cincinnati Bengals. It was the sixth-largest contract of that offseason. The previous third-round decide of the New Orleans Saints went from rotational cross rusher to starter, and upped his sack whole from 4.5 to 13.5 in a contract yr. The Bengals noticed authentic celebrity potential in Hendrickson, and so they have been proper.

In his first season with the Bengals, Hendrickson recorded 14 sacks as Cincinnati made the Tremendous Bowl. He recorded 17.5 sacks in each 2023 and 2024, and picked up 4 straight Professional Bowl bids and his first All-Professional choice. Sadly, Hendrickson struggled to attain that second contract from the Bengals — which grew to become a significant storyline in itself. However there is no doubt he is the most effective free-agent signings in latest reminiscence. In any case, Hendrickson owns the highest three particular person sack seasons in Bengals franchise historical past!

3. Joe Thuney, LG, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (2021)

Following a disastrous efficiency from the offensive line in Tremendous Bowl LV, the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs signed former Patriots offensive guard Joe Thuney to a five-year, $80 million deal. It was the third-largest contract handed out that offseason and good transfer because the franchise regarded to rebuild Patrick Mahomes’ safety. 

Thuney would go on to make three straight Professional Bowls and decide up three straight All-Professional alternatives as nicely, whereas profitable Tremendous Bowls LVII and LVIII with Kansas Metropolis. He allowed simply 4 sacks in 4 seasons, and was an essential member of the most effective offensive strains within the league. Whereas Thuney was traded to the Chicago Bears final offseason, he is nonetheless thought-about an elite protector. He even gained the first-ever NFL Protector of the Yr Award this season, beating out finalists corresponding to Penei Sewell and former teammate Creed Humphrey. 

4. Trent Williams, LT, San Francisco 49ers (2021)

This was technically a re-signing, nevertheless it was the primary contract the San Francisco 49ers truly gave Trent Williams. The star left sort out was traded to San Francisco throughout the 2020 NFL Draft however he was due for an enormous extension in 2021. That got here within the type of a six-year, $138.06 million deal that made Williams the highest-paid offensive lineman within the NFL. It was additionally the biggest deal in free company by over $55 million.

Williams went on to make three straight Professional Bowls and garner three straight First Workforce All-Professional alternatives because the 49ers made the NFC Championship recreation in all three of these years. Even at 37-years-old, Williams remains to be thought-about the most effective offensive tackles within the NFL.

5. Xavier McKinney, S, Inexperienced Bay Packers (2024)

In 2024, the Inexperienced Bay Packers signed former New York Giants security Xavier McKinney to a four-year, $67 million deal. It was the sixth-largest contract of that offseason. McKinney responded to his payday by recording 88 tackles, one sack, 11 passes defensed and a career-high eight interceptions. These numbers earned him his first Professional Bowl bid, and a First Workforce All-Professional choice as nicely.

This previous season, McKinney recorded 107 tackles, one sack, 10 passes defensed and two interceptions, which landed him Second Workforce All-Professional honors. He is a playmaker that may do all of it, whether or not it is breaking apart passes deep downfield or taking part in within the field.  

Worst big-ticket contracts since 2020

1. J.C. Jackson, CB, Los Angeles Chargers (2022)

After recording a whopping 17 mixed interceptions in 2020 and 2021 for the Patriots, J.C. Jackson signed a five-year, $82.5 million cope with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2022. It was the second-largest contract handed out that offseason. 

Jackson would play in simply seven (!!) video games for the Chargers earlier than being traded again to New England in a late-round decide swap. He made over $38 million for these seven video games. Accidents performed a component on this dramatic fall from grace, as Jackson had ankle surgical procedure earlier than even taking part in a down for L.A., then dislocated his knee in Week 7. Jackson’s final NFL snap got here on Dec. 7, 2023.

2. Kenny Golladay, WR, New York Giants (2021)

The Giants signed former Detroit Lions wideout Kenny Golladay to a four-year, $72 million deal in 2021. It was the fourth-largest contract that offseason. Golladay put up back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2018-19, and led the NFL in receiving touchdowns in 2019 with 11.

Even earlier than he landed within the Massive Apple, accidents had begun to take their toll on Golladay. A hip harm held him to 5 video games performed in his closing season with Detroit in 2020, he suffered by means of a hamstring subject in the summertime after which suffered a knee harm 5 video games into his Giants profession. Golladay completed his first season in New York with 37 catches for 521 yards and nil touchdowns. Issues did not get any higher in 2022, as Golladay caught simply six (6) passes for 81 yards and one touchdowns in 12 video games performed. 

In all, Golladay caught 43 passes for 602 receiving yards and one landing in 26 video games performed with the Giants. That marked the top of his NFL profession, however he did make over $40 million with the Giants. 

3. Christian Wilkins, DT, Las Vegas Raiders (2024)

The thriller of Christian Wilkins stays unsolved. In 2024, the Raiders signed the star defensive sort out to a four-year, $110 million deal that was the second-largest contract of the offseason. Wilkins performed simply 5 video games earlier than struggling a foot harm which landed him on injured reserve. Then, issues obtained worse.

NFL Media reported the Raiders needed Wilkins to get one other process completed on his foot that following offseason, which is one thing he refused to do. Wilkins as an alternative needed to rehab the harm, main the franchise to launch him with a “terminated vested veteran” designation. There was apparently extra to the story of Wilkins’ launch, as ESPN reported he “playfully” went to kiss an unnamed teammate on the highest of his head within the locker room, and that teammate took offense to it. ESPN revealed an article reporting {that a} grievance was filed to the Raiders’ human assets division following the incident. 

There weren’t many extra particulars reported about this example, however Wilkins made $49.8 million for 5 video games performed. He didn’t play in 2025. 

4. Kirk Cousins, QB, Atlanta Falcons (2024)

Following six profitable seasons with the Vikings, quarterback Kirk Cousins landed a four-year, $180 million deal from the Atlanta Falcons. It was the biggest contract of the 2024 offseason. Not solely did the Falcons signal Cousins to the biggest free-agency deal that yr, however they then used the No. 8 total decide on one other quarterback in Michael Penix Jr. After Cousins threw 18 touchdowns and a league-leading 16 interceptions by means of 14 video games, he was benched for the rookie Penix — who did sufficient within the closing three video games of the season to earn the title of QB1. 

Cousins did go 5-3 because the starter this previous season for the Falcons whereas throwing 10 touchdowns in comparison with 5 interceptions, however this was not the signing Terry Fontenot and Raheem Morris envisioned. Each have been fired this offseason, whereas Cousins remodeled $90 million.

5. Derek Carr, QB, New Orleans Saints (2023)

After the Raiders launched Derek Carr in 2023, the Saints determined to signal the veteran quarterback to a four-year, $150 million deal that was by far and away the biggest contract of the offseason. No different free agent even reached $88 million in whole worth. 

Carr’s first season with the Saints was attention-grabbing. He began off the yr 5-7, however ended on a tear — throwing 14 touchdowns in comparison with two interceptions whereas ending the yr 4-1. The next season, Carr went 5-5 for the Saints whereas struggling by means of a number of accidents. A fractured hand and concussion in Week 14 ended his yr. Carr then retired the next offseason, citing a shoulder harm. He made $70 million from New Orleans for his 27 begins, and there are apparently groups on the market that wish to give him extra money.