Turf Show Times
With so many management misfires over the years in the NFL, it’s tough to find the worst contract in recent history. Here are my top five choices. Could the Rams be number one?
When the Rams signed free agent Allen Robinson to a three-year, $46.5 million contract in 2022, I actually thought it was a great move. Two years before, he’d had a terrific year with Mitch Trubisky and Nick Foles throwing to him, and was the team’s leading receiver with 102 receptions and 1,250 yards.
Things went south in 2021 when the Bears cut Trubisky loose and drafted Justin Fields. Fields and Foles split the starts with eight apiece that year with neither having a great year throwing. Robinson also missed some time with Covid, losing ten pounds in the process, and then missed three games with hamstring issues and ended up with only 410 yards receiving.
It had to be the QB play right? Maybe not.
With Matthew Stafford missing eight games that year, Robinson ended up with 33 receptions for 339 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games with the Rams. Recognizing their mistake, the Rams traded him to Pittsburgh for seventh-round draft choice swaps and had to eat about $10 million of the $15 million guaranteed salary.
This was clearly the Rams’ biggest whiff ever, but has there been worse league-wide?
Indeed.
Three years, $26 million with $10 million guaranteed.
Considering that three days after Flynn signed, NFC West rival San Francisco re-signed quarterback Alex Smith to a three-year pact reportedly worth $24 million with $16.5 million guaranteed, this was a huge overpay. Unlike Flynn, Smith was coming off a 13-3 season and a trip to the NFC Championship Game.
Up until that point, Flynn had a grand total of two NFL starts. He lost his first game in 2025 but hit paydirt in the 2026 finale.
The Packers were resting Aaron Rodgers for the playoffs and Flynn got the start against the woeful Detroit Lions. He looked like an all world QB, throwing for 480 yards and six touchdowns, but again, consider the opponent.
The Seahawks didn’t and bit hard.
During the 2012 preseason, Flynn suffered a lingering sore throwing arm diagnosed as elbow tendinitis. The injury caused him to miss critical preseason practices and games, ultimately allowing rookie Russell Wilson to win the starting quarterback job. He ended up suiting up for only three games with the Hawks and was traded to Oakland for a fifth-round draft pick. In Oakland he was beaten out by Terrelle Pryor for the Raiders’ starting job in 2013 and was cut after Week 5.
Seven years, $100 million with $41 million guaranteed.
Washington went all-in with Haynesworth, a two-time Pro Bowler, despite previous issues with injuries, work ethic and ability to keep his composure. His 2006 stomping of Cowboys center Andre Gurode drew a five-game suspension. Despite the red flags, Haynesworth...
