Mar 11, 2026
3 min read
NFL teams will spend big in free agency, but history shows that those big deals don't always work out.
The 5 best and 5 worst NFL free agent contracts of 2020
NFL teams are once again paying big in free agency, but history shows that the massive deals don't always work out.
This week marks the start of the NFL's annual shopping spree.The league's two-day negotiating window opens Monday at noon ET, setting off a wave of offers that will shape the roster before free agency officially begins on Wednesday.
Big names will move.A lot of money will be spent.And history suggests that most of them don't age well.
Every offseason brings big deals to the top unrestricted free agents, but the return on investment is wildly uneven.For every signing that helps push a contender over the top, several others quickly become cautionary tales.Below we list the five best and worst free agent deals of 2020.
The best big ticket deals from 2020
1. Sam Darnold, QB, Seattle Seahawks (2025)
This past season, the Seattle Seahawks gambled by trading Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders and signing Sam Darnold in free agency.Yes, Darnold is coming off a career year with the Minnesota Vikings in which he won 14 games, but there's no doubt he's rocked, which has made some teams hesitant to pursue him.
The former No. 3 overall pick signed a three-year, $100.5 million deal with Seattle in free agency.His $33.5 million AAV came in lower than some expected, but it was still the second-largest contract of the offseason.Darnold, of course, became the first quarterback to win a Super Bowl after playing for five teams, and the first quarterback from the famous 2018 class that included Baker Mayfield, Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson to make a Super Bowl.
Darnold's personal numbers didn't reach his 2024 season with the Vikings, but there's no doubt he played a big role in Seattle's incredible success this year.He became only the fifth quarterback to register multiple 14-win seasons, joining 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 the season.The former third-round pick of the New Orleans Saints went from pinch-hitter to starter, increasing his sacks from 4.5 to 13.5 in the contract year.The Bengals saw legitimate superstar potential in Hendrickson, and they were right.
In his first season with the Bengals, Hendrickson recorded 14 sacks as Cincinnati reached the Super Bowl.He recorded 17.5 sacks in both 2023 and 2024 and earned four straight Pro Bowl bids and his first All-Pro selection.Unfortunately, Hendrickson struggled to get a second contract from the Bengals - which became a big story in itself.But there is no doubt that he is one of the best free agents in recent memory.memory.After all, Hendrickson is the owner of three single seasons in Bengals franchise history!
3. Joe Thuney, LG, Kansas City Chiefs (2021)
The Kansas City Chiefs signed former Patriots quarterback Joe Thuney to a five-year, $80 million contract after the offensive line's poor performance in the Super Bowl. This is the third-largest contract of the offseason and a good move as the team looks to rebuild Patrick Mahomes' defense.
Winning Super Bowls LVII and LVIII with Kansas City, Thuney made three consecutive Pro Bowl appearances and was also a three-time All-Pro selection.He threw just four sacks in four seasons and was one of the league's best offensive lines.Although Thuney was traded to the Chicago Bears last offseason, he is still considered an elite quarterback.Also won his first NFL Defensive Player of the Year award this season, beating out finalists such as Penny Sewell and former teammate Creed Humphrey.
4. Trent Williams, LT, San Francisco 49ers (2021)
It was technically a re-signing, but it was the first contract the San Francisco 49ers actually gave Trent Williams.The star left tackle was traded to San Francisco during the 2020 NFL Draft, but was set to receive a massive extension in 2021.It came as a six-year, $138.06 million deal that made Williams the NFL's highest-paid offensive lineman.It was also the largest deal in free agency at over $55 million.
Williams went to three straight Pro Bowls and earned three first-team All-Team selections as the 49ers reached the NFC Championship game three years in a row.Even at 37-years-old, Williams is still considered one of the best offensive tackles in the NFL.
5. Xavier McKinney, S, Green Bay Packers (2024)
In 2024, the Green Bay Packers signed former New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney to a four-year, $67 million contract.It was the sixth largest contract at the time.McKinney responded to his payday by recording 88 tackles, one sack, 11 passes defensed and a career-high eight interceptions.Those numbers earned him his first Pro Bowl and first All-Pro selection.
This past season, McKinney recorded 107 tackles, one sack, 10 passes defensed and two interceptions, earning him Second Team All-Pro honors.He is an artist who can do it all, whether he breaks through or plays in the box.
The worst big-ticket deals of 2020
1. c.Jackson, CB, Los Angeles Chargers (2022)
After recording 17 total interceptions for the Patriots in 2020 and 2021, J.C.Jackson signed a five-year, $82.5 million contract with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2022.It was the second-largest contract they made during the offseason.
Jackson only played in seven (!!) games for the Chargers before being sent back to New England.He earned $38 million for those seven games.Injuries played a big role in this steep decline, as Jackson had ankle surgery before the game against Los Angeles and then dislocated his knee in Week 7. Jackson's last NFL touchdown came on December 7, 2023.
2. Kenny Golladay, VR, New York Giants (2021)
The Giants signed former Detroit Lions player Kenny Golladay to a four-year, $72 million contract in 2021. It was the fourth-largest contract this season. Golladay had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2018-19 and led the NFL in receiving touchdowns in 2019 with 11.
Even before he arrived in New York, injuries had begun to take their toll on Golladay. He missed five games in 2020 with a hip injury during his final season in Detroit, suffered a hamstring problem over the summer and then suffered a knee injury five games into his Giants career. Golladay's first season in New York ended with 37 catches for 521 yards and zerotouchdowns. Things didn't get any better in 2022, with Golladay catching just six (6) passes for 81 yards and one touchdown in 12 games.
Overall, Golladay caught 43 passes for 602 receiving yards and a touchdown in 26 games with the Giants.That marked the end of his NFL career, but he earned more than $40 million with the Giants.
3. Christian Wilkins, DT, Las Vegas Raiders (2024)
The mystery of Christian Wilkins remains unsolved.In 2024, the Raiders signed the star defensive end to a four-year, $110 million contract that was the second-largest contract of the offseason.Wilkins played in just five games before suffering a foot injury that put him on injured reserve.Then things got worse.
NFL Media reported that the Raiders wanted Wilkins to have another procedure done on his foot after the offseason, which he declined.Instead, Wilkins wanted to repair the damage, leaving the franchise with the status of a "Terminated Wasted Veteran."Apparently there was more to the story of Wilkins' release, as ESPN reported that he proceeded to kiss an unidentified teammate on the top of his head in the locker room.ESPN released a statement saying a grievance was filed by the Raiders' personnel department after the incident.
Not many details were released about the situation, but Wilkins earned $49.8 million for five games played.He didn't play in 2025.
4. Kirk Cousins, QB, Atlanta Falcons (2024).
After six successful seasons with the Vikings, defender Kirk Cousins has signed a four-year, $ 180 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons.It is the biggest contract of the 2024 offseason.In addition to signing Cousins to his biggest free agent contract that year, the Falcons then used the eighth option on another quarterback in Michael Penix Jr. after Cousins threw 18 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in 14 games, he was replaced by Rookie Penix, who earned three Q1 finals this season.
Cousins went 5-3 as the Falcons' starter last season, throwing 10 touchdowns and five interceptions, but it wasn't what Terry Fontenot and Raheem Morris envisioned.Both were fired this offseason when Cousins earned more than $90 million.
5. Derek Carr, QB, New Orleans Saints (2023)
After the Raiders released Derek Carr in 2023, the Saints decided to sign the veteran quarterback to a four-year, $150 million deal, the biggest deal of the offseason.No other free agent hit $88 million in total value.
Carr's first season with the Saints was interesting.He started the year 5-7 but finished on a tear -- throwing 14 touchdowns compared to two interceptions while finishing the year 4-1.The following season, Carr went 5-5 for the Saints while suffering through multiple injuries.A broken hand and concussion in Week 14 ended his year.he retired the following offseason, citing a shoulder injury.He made $70 million out of New Orleans for his 27 starts, and there are clearly teams out there willing to give him more money.
