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Top 15 worst free agent signings in NFL history

By Sayre Bedinger

Top 15 worst NFL free agent signings in history: Brock Osweiler #17 of the Houston Texans warms up on the field prior to the AFC Wild Card game against the Oakland Raiders at NRG Stadium on January 7, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
Top 15 worst NFL free agent signings in history: Brock Osweiler #17 of the Houston Texans warms up on the field prior to the AFC Wild Card game against the Oakland Raiders at NRG Stadium on January 7, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
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Top 15 worst NFL free agent signings
Top 15 worst NFL free agent signings; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback (7) Byron Leftwich throws a touchdown pass as Washington Redskins safety Adam Archuleta attempts to pressure him in the fourth quarter at FedEx Field in Landover, MD. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports Copyright © James Lang /

11. Adam Archuleta, S, Washington

The deal: 6 years, $30 million

Believe it or not, Adam Archuleta isn’t just one of the top color commentators for the NFL on CBS. He was once a coveted NFL prospect, first-round pick, and big-time free agent acquisition of the Washington franchise.

In the 2001 NFL Draft, the St. Louis Rams took Archuleta with the 20th overall pick out of Arizona State. He played with the Rams for five years where he was a tackling machine, causing turnovers, attacking the line of scrimmage, and impacting the Rams’ defense.

After the 2005 season, Archuleta hit free agency where Washington gave him $30 million on a six-year deal. At that point in NFL history, that was the richest deal for a safety ever. Archuleta was joining a team known for giving out big money in free agency on an annual basis, and he didn’t even end up starting all of the 16 games he played for them.

As good as Archuleta was at attacking the line of scrimmage, Washington couldn’t count on him in coverage and he was effectively benched. He was let go after just one season with Washington, he was traded to the Chicago Bears and lasted there just one more season.

The former first-round pick got a shot to make it as a linebacker with the Raiders in 2008 but it didn’t work out. He became a father that year and started a family, got married in 2010, and has become one of the best color commentators in the business as of 2023 along with play-by-play man Greg Gumbel.

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