NFL Free Agency: 30 worst free agency signings this century
By Randy Gurzi
Baltimore Ravens. Elvis Grbac. 13. player. 26. . QB
13. Worst NFL free agency signings this century: Elvis Grbac
It was easy to see what the Baltimore Ravens were trying to do, but the execution was off. They won Super Bowl XXXV with Trent Dilfer at quarterback, but his job was simply to manage the offense.
In their win over the New York Giants, the Ravens leaned heavily on their sensational defense, while watching Dilfer complete just 12 of 25 passes for 153 yards and an interception.
The front office understood that they could potentially become a dynasty with that defense and a better quarterback leading the offense. With that being their goal, the Ravens went out in free agency and gave a big contract to Elvis Grbac.
A former San Francisco 49ers backup for three seasons, Grbac joined the Kansas City Chiefs in 1997, replacing Steve Bono as the starter. He was 26-21 in three seasons with the Chiefs but wasn’t retained, as Kansas City traded for Trent Green. Green had just lost his job with the then-St. Louis Rams to Kurt Warner the season prior.
As for Grbac, he was fresh off his best statistical season, as he threw for 4,169 yards and 28 touchdowns. That was good enough for the Ravens to give him a five-year, $30 million deal, $11 million guaranteed. He lasted only one season under that contract, as there was a drastic drop in his production with Baltimore.
The free agent pick up managed an 8-6 record in 14 starts but wasn’t any better than Dilfer the year before. Grbac had just 3,033 yards with 15 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. He was asked to take a pay cut at the end of the season and declined, which led to him being released. It was also his last season in the NFL.