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NFL players routinely sign massive contracts with their teams. Sometimes it works out great for the organization, locking up talent, while other times it leaves them stuck in a difficult salary cap situation that isn't worth the return. Here are five of the worst contracts for NFL players entering the 2022 season.
5 NFL players on bad contracts for their team
#1 - QB Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are in a transitional period, attempting to rebuild their roster with younger talent, but Matt Ryan's massive contract is making it difficult for them to do that.
The 37 years old is set to become the highest-paid player of the 2022 NFL season at 48.6 million dollars. The Falcons are pretty much stuck with him, as moving on from him would result in 25 million in dead cap money. He ranked 21st with a 46.1 QBR in the 2021 season, the worst of his entire career.
#2 - QB Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings
In his four years as the starting quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings, Kirk Cousins has helped them reach the playoffs just once. His overall record with the team is a disappointing 34-30-1 including the postseason. He is now set to take on a massive 45 million dollar cap hit in the 2022 season, which is more than 20 percent of the salary cap.
5 NFL players who are on bad contracts
Here are five players who currently have a contract that is hurting their team heading into the 2022 NFL season.
#3 - QB Sam Darnold, Carolina Panthers
Sam Darnold is set to make just under 19 million dollars in the 2022 season. That's a large salary cap hit, especially considering he lost his job as the starting quarterback during the 2021 season. Darnold completed less than 60 percent of his passes while throwing just nine touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He has a 4-7 record as a starter for the Panthers.
#4 - TE Jonnu Smith, New England Patriots
The New England Patriots signed Jonnu Smith in the 2021 offseason with expectations that he would be a key part of their offense. It didn't work out that way. He recorded less than 300 yards, despite playing in 16 regular-season games. He will make nearly 14 million dollars for the 2022 season, the third most among all NFL tight ends.
#5 - S Landon Collins, Washington Commanders
Landon Collins has had one of the worst contracts in the league since joining Washington. They signed him as one of the highest paid safeties of all time, despite being a box safety who has always been a liability in coverage. He allowed eight touchdowns in coverage in the 2021 season, tied for the most by any player.
He's also had a difficult time staying healthy, and has been prone to missing games due to injuries every season he's played in Washington. Although he is only slated to make around 12 million dollars next season, his contract runs until 2024 and his salary will increase with each passing year. One imagines Washington will not be too thrilled at that fact, seeing as their star safety is underperforming.
