For the most part, it's easy to pick out the best NFL free agent deals, but what about the worst deals in 2024 NFL free agency? Which deals actually look like they're going to turn into mistakes when all is said and done? After all, a free agency review should look at both the good and the bad.
The 5 biggest mistakes in NFL free agency in 2024
Obviously, only time will tell if one of the free agent deals signed this offseason is among the worst NFL contracts ever.
But there are a few that we already have our eyes on. With that said, here is a list of the worst trades in 2024 NFL free agency.
Kevin Byard to the Bears
The Bears did a lot of good things in free agency, but signing Kevin Byard to a two-year, $15 million deal wasn't one of them. While he was a Pro Bowler through 2021, Byard is on the wrong side of 30, so his days as an elite safety could easily be over.
There was also no need to rush to sign a safety with Quandre Diggs and Justin Simmons also available. Given Chicago's cap flexibility, the Bears could have been more aggressive in the safety market and done a better job of improving their defense.
Calvin Ridley to the Titans
The Giants have made some potential mistakes this offseason, but the four-year, $92 million contract they offered Calvin Ridley is the largest ever. Ridley went for more than 1,000 receiving yards last year in his first season after being suspended for 2022. But he also benefited from working with Trevor Lawrence.
He won't have that luxury in Tennessee, where the jury is still out on Will Levis. While it makes sense to surround Levis with a wide receiver like Ridley, he's not necessarily the classic safety valve for a receiver. Plus, if Levis doesn't practice, the Giants will waste money on an expensive receiver and no one will be able to get him the ball.
Josh Jacobs to Packers
There's nothing wrong with moving on from an aging Aaron Jones, but the Packers appear to have overpaid to trade him. Green Bay gives Josh Jacobs a four-year, $48 million deal. That's a steep price for any running back in today's NFL, let alone one who averaged just 3.5 yards per carry last season.
Jacobs averaged four yards per carry or fewer in three of his five seasons in the league. Outside of the 2022 season when he led the NFL in rushing, Jacobs was below average, all the more reason why this was a huge mistake by Green Bay.
Robert Hunt to the Panthers
While the Panthers had a significant amount of cap space to play with this offseason, that doesn't justify spending $100 million over five years on Robert Hunt. This deal comes with $63 million in guaranteed money, which is quite a lot of money for Hunt.
We're talking about a nine-figure contract for an offensive lineman who never made it to the Pro Bowl. Obviously, the offensive line was a big key for Carolina this offseason, so it's hard to blame the Panthers for being aggressive. But there should have been a better way to use the money available to them than to make Hunt the second-highest-paid right guard in the league.
Justin Jones to the Cardinals
The Cardinals are one of those teams that was desperate enough this offseason to make some bad decisions. Giving Justin Jones $31 million over three years with $26.75 million guaranteed is one of those mistakes.
To be fair, Jones will likely improve Arizona's pass rush, one of the worst in the league last season. But Jones also has just 12 sacks in his six seasons. He is not rated as a player that should get that much guaranteed money and should be considered a big plus worthy of that kind of money.
