2023 NFL Free Agency: Five Worst Signings Include Former Super Bowl QB

Over the past couple of weeks, teams have spent millions adding talent to their rosters. But not all of the moves have made financial sense.

Free agency can often be a trap in the NFL.

Sign for the most money and a player is making generational wealth, but often signing away precious years of his short career on a team with cap space for a reason.

In other cases, agents misinterpret the market for their player, missing out on millions of dollars while waiting for a deal that never comes. Often, they end up hitting the market the following year after a one-year, prove-it contract, hoping to reestablish value.

Oftentimes, the worst deals are a marriage of a desperate team and an overvalued player, either propped up by system or circumstances.

Here are my five worst deals of free agency:

5

Eric Kendricks, LB, Chargers

Contract: Two years, $13.5 million ($6.75 million guaranteed)

Kendricks signed at free agency’s outset after being cut by the Vikings, who saved $9.5 million with the release.

While Kendricks was a 2019 first-team All-Pro in Minnesota, he struggled mightily last year in coverage. The question is whether that’s because of former defensive coordinator Ed Donatell or Father Time.

Regardless, signing Kendricks while allowing Drue Tranquill to sign a one-year deal worth $3 million with an extra $2 million in incentives is shocking. Especially when one considers Tranquill, 27, is four years younger than Kendricks and is coming off a year of 146 tackles, five sacks and excellent coverage.

And, as a final insult, Tranquill signed with the AFC West–rival Chiefs.

Kendricks might find new life in a different scheme, but Tranquill would have been the better signing.

4

Zach Allen, DE, Broncos

Contract: Three years, $45.7 million ($32.5 million guaranteed)

Allen, 25, is a good player being paid like a potential All-Pro. He had 11.5 sacks over four years with the Cardinals, notching a career-best 5.5 sacks last season under then defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, who now holds the same position in Denver.

While Allen has upside, it’s significant money for a Broncos team trying to replace defensive lineman Dre’Mont Jones and edge rusher Bradley Chubb. Tall task.

3

Josh Oliver, TE, Vikings

Contract: Three years, $21 million ($8.2 million guaranteed)

The Vikings made notable cuts, with receiver Adam Thielen and Kendricks among them, to save cap space.

While Oliver is lauded as a blocker, $7 million annually is considerable for someone who, over four years with the Jaguars and Ravens, never played more than 47% of the offensive snaps. He has also never caught 15 passes or notched 150 receiving yards in any season.

While Oliver functions very differently than fellow tight end T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota could have found another blocker at a much cheaper price.

2

Andre Dillard, LT, Titans

Contract: Three years, $29 million ($10 million guaranteed)

Dillard is a 2019 first-round pick by the Eagles who failed to stay in the starting lineup throughout his rookie deal. All told, Dillard started nine games across four years in Philadelphia before hitting free agency.

Tennessee desperately needs help up front after releasing left tackle Taylor Lewan and seeing guard Nate Davis leaving in free agency. Still, first-time general manager Ran Carthon was overly aggressive in this instance.

Dillard, 27, will have a chance to consistently start in Tennessee, but the opportunity comes at a very high price for the Titans.

1

Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, Raiders

Garoppolo was a perfect fit for the Raiders because he played for coach Josh McDaniels in New England.  :: Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports

Contract: Three years, $72.8 million ($45 million guaranteed)

This is more about what the contract says, more than the contract itself.

On its face, the deal is reasonable. Garoppolo is 40–17 as a starter with a Super Bowl appearance. He also understands the system run by former Patriots offensive coordinator and Raiders coach Josh McDaniels, with the two having spent four years together in New England.

However, Garoppolo’s contract essentially locks him into large cap numbers of $16.3 million and $28 million, respectively, over the next two seasons. While that doesn’t keep Las Vegas from drafting an early-round quarterback of the future, it takes away the Raiders’ ability to be cheap at the position, which would have allowed them to be aggressive in other areas.

Finally, Garoppolo is a cheaper option than Derek Carr, but he’s a lesser player. The Raiders haven’t won a playoff game since 2002 and have appeared in only two since then. This move is a step back for ’23 and potentially moving forward.