Matt Johnson
Teams across the National Football League spent hundreds of millions of dollars on Monday, pulling in some of the biggest top NFL free agents in 2026. While only time will tell how well these contracts age for the clubs, we can try and highlight some contracts that scream overpays.
Let’s dive into our list of the worst contracts signed during Day 1 of NFL free agency.
Jaelan Phillips, EDGE, Carolina Panthers
Heading into NFL free agency, early projections were for edge rusher Jaelan Phillips to land a multi-year deal for something in the range of $25 million per season. Phillips is one of the well-rounded edge defenders in the NFL, equally as capable of generating pressure as he is defending the run. However, injuries have defined his football career–briefly medically retired in college, torn Achilles in 2023 and ACL tear in 2024–so there was risk. Out of nowhere, the Carolina Panthers signed Phillips to a four-year deal that makes him the eighth-highest-paid edge rusher in the NFL, with an AAV that earns him more than the likes of Nik Bonitto, Brian Burns and Josh Allen. Carolina was desperate for pass-rushing help and that clearly led to the franchise offering a price no one else would approach.
- Jaelan Phillips contract: 4 years, $120 million ($30 million AAV) with $80 million guaranteed
Related: Winners, Losers from NFL Free Agency Day One
Zion Johnson, iOL, Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns were desperate for offensive line help and it showed immediately in NFL free agency. Zion Johnson is an upgrade over what they had coming into the weekend, nothing. That’s a low bar to clear. Johnson, the 17th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, reached the open market because the Los Angeles Chargers declined his fifth-year option a year ago. Why? As highlighted by ESPN from the 2025 NFL season, Johnson’s 3 percent quick pressure rate was nearly 50 percent higher than the league average for guards. Johnson was part of the problem on a woeful offensive line and Cleveland shelled out a four-year, $61 million contract for him.
- Zion Johnson contract: 4 years, $61 million ($16.5 million AAV) with $32.39 million guaranteed
Odafe Oweh, EDGE, Washington Commanders
It’s good to see that the Washington Commanders are investing significant money into the pass rush; that was necessary. Odafe Oweh is also coming off a fantastic stretch with the Chargers, putting up 19 pressures and 7.5 sacks in 12 games and then dominating in the Wild Card Round. He did, however, benefit from playing opposite Khalil Mack in a scheme designed by one of the NFL’s best defensive minds (Jesse Minter). Washington is now bringing Oweh in as its top edge rusher and paying him to produce like he’s a perennial Pro Bowl selection. Keep in mind that he’s recorded double-digit sacks once in five seasons.
- Odafe Oweh contract: 4 years, $100 million ($25 million AAV) with $68 million guaranteed
Alijah Vera-Tucker, iOL, New England Patriots
Here’s what it seems like happened. The New England Patriots struck out on all their top targets in NFL free agency–Mike Evans, Alec Pierce and Rashid Shaheed–then had to pivot and find some form of help for Drake Maye. Late into the night, that came in the form of signing guard Alijah Vera-Tucker to a $42 million contract. The AAV ($14 million per year) ranks 18th among guards, we could live with that if Vera-Tucker plays. Unfortunately, he missed all of last season with a torn triceps and injuries limited him to 12 total starts from 2022-23. This is a massive risk-reward gamble and Vera-Tucker’s history suggests it backfires.
- Alijah Vera-Tucker contract: 3 years, $42 million ($14 million AAV)
Read More: Worst MLB Contracts 2026
Alec Pierce, WR, Indianapolis Colts
The Alec Pierce contract is a bit easier to stomach because the Indianapolis Colts flipped Michael Pittman Jr. to the Pittsburgh Steelers in a salary dump. There’s also something to be said for keeping a player the club drafted and developed, as it sends a great message to the locker room and Pierce obviously fits Shane Steichen’s offense. The issue is the fact that Pierce just signed the ninth-biggest contract ever for a wide receiver with $60 million guaranteed at signing—one of the highest figures in history at the position—and an AAV that typically goes to premier wideouts. He’s an outstanding deep threat, but that only has so much value when you have quarterback uncertainty, and Indianapolis remains in that boat with Daniel Jones recovering from a torn Achilles.
- Alec Pierce contract: 4 years, $114 million ($28.5 million AAV) with $84 million guaranteed
