NFL Free Agency: 30 worst free agency signings this century

11. Worst NFL free agency signings this century: Deion Sanders

Selected No. 5 overall out of Florida State in 1989, Deion Sanders went on to become one of the most popular athletes in the world during his playing career. Nicknamed “Prime Time,” Sanders was a two-time Super Bowl winner, who won with the San Francisco 49ers, as well as the Dallas Cowboys.

Sanders also played Major League Baseball and made it to the World Series with the Atlanta Braves, making him the only pro athlete to play in the title games for both the NFL and MLB. While it’s true he was a two-sport star, Sanders was an exceptional talent in the NFL and ended up having a Pro Football Hall of Fame career at cornerback.

He was also a spectacular return man and even played some at wide receiver, going for 475 yards in 1996 with the Cowboys. Considering all his accolades as a player, it seems crazy that he would be on this list, but that’s simply because the Washington Football Team signed him for all those previous accomplishments rather than what he could do for them.

At 33 years of age, Sanders was given a seven-year contract worth $56 million, despite just being cut by division rival Dallas. Sanders lasted only one season for the team and wasn’t close to what the Washington Football Team had expected. While he did record four interceptions, Sanders struggled for much of the season and retired at year’s end.

He did later return to the game after taking three years off but joined the Baltimore Ravens at that point. By then, he moved to safety and provided a solid veteran leader for them. He also wasn’t making $8 million a year, so that helped it seem like a better fit as well.