NFL Free Agency: 30 worst free agency signings this century
By Randy Gurzi
32. . QB. Arizona Cardinals. Sam Bradford. 7. player
7. Worst NFL free agency signings this century: Sam Bradford
No quarterback in the NFL has been able to earn as much as Sam Bradford has despite never actually orchestrating a winning season in the NFL. That is unless you count his 2-0 start with the Minnesota Vikings in 2017.
A Heisman Trophy winner in 2008 at Oklahoma, Bradford ended up going No. 1 overall in 2010 to the then-St. Louis Rams. He then signed the largest rookie contract in NFL history, as he was given a six-year contract worth up to $86 million with $50 million guaranteed.
While he was never a bad player, Bradford struggled mightily with durability, as he missed significant time in 2011, 2013 and all of 2014 with knee problems severely limiting him. He finished his time with the Rams with an 18-30-1 record, with his best season in terms of records being 2012 when they finished 7-8-1.
In 2015, Bradford was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in a package that included Nick Foles. After going 7-7, he was given a two-year, $36 million deal, but didn’t stick around, as the Eagles traded him to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for a first-round pick. He was 7-8 for the Vikings in 2016 and then started 2017 on fire. A 2-0 start ended abruptly, as knee problems crept in yet again for Bradford.
Despite the injury concerns, the Arizona Cardinals decided he was their guy in 2018 and they gave him a two-year deal (with an out after one season) worth up to $20 million per season. However, a whopping $15 million guaranteed for the first year.
Bradford was ineffective for them and started just three games for the Cardinals while losing them all. Arizona released him in November but still paid him $15 million for throwing two touchdowns and four interceptions.