NFL’s Most Regrettable Quarterback Contracts of the Decade

The New York Giants‘ decision to bench Daniel Jones has reignited debate over the most regrettable quarterback contracts in the National Football League (NFL) over the past decade. Analysts and fans alike are revisiting and reassessing the high-stakes investments made in promising quarterbacks who ultimately could not deliver on their contracts.

Bleacher Report‘s Brad Gagnon argues that the Giants’ $160 million agreement with Jones is among the most ill-fated deals. After drafting him in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, New York extended his contract, banking on his potential to fulfill his initial promise. However, with the team struggling at 2-8 this season, the Giants have turned to backup Tommy DeVito, casting doubt on Jones’s future with the team.

Jones’s underwhelming performance echoes similar scenarios involving other quarterbacks like Dak Prescott and Jimmy Garoppolo. Prescott, currently aging and plagued by injuries, still carries a massive contract despite limited playoff success and rankings as a bottom-tier passer this season.

Garoppolo’s tenure with the San Francisco 49ers is also cited as a cautionary tale. Despite being considered a good-not-great player, he was handsomely paid over $122 million. The team eventually decided he wasn’t the answer at quarterback, turning instead to Trey Lance.

Another exemplar of a costly quarterback gamble gone wrong is Brock Osweiler. After showcasing potential in a backup role at the Denver Broncos, the Houston Texans offered him a lucrative contract. The investment didn’t pay off as Osweiler’s performance plummeted, leading to his exit from professional football merely two years after signing.

In Jacksonville, the signing of Nick Foles following his Super Bowl MVP run with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017 ended abruptly. Foles’s stint in Jacksonville was marred by injuries and inconsistency, prompting the Jaguars to cut ties after only one season.

Furthermore, teams such as the Green Bay Packers experienced notable setbacks with veteran quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers. Despite a history of success, Rodgers’s substantial contract extension and subsequent decline in performance pressured the Packers into trading him to the New York Jets.

The Denver Broncos are counting the cost of their deal with Russell Wilson, who despite showing some improvement in Pittsburgh, failed to bring success during his time with the team. Similarly, the infamous contract with Deshaun Watson has yet to yield positive results for the Cleveland Browns, who may soon be compelled to absorb considerable financial losses to release him.