The five worst quarterback contracts of all-time

Jan 10, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) throws the ball in front of New England Patriots defensive end Chandler Jones (95) in the first quarter during the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

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Dec 28, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; A Detroit Lions helmet sits on the field during warmups prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 30-20. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

Scott Mitchell, Detroit Lions, 1997

4 years, $21 million (1997-2000)

This contract falls into a different category: a team fooled by a small sample size. Mitchell was Dan Marino’s backup with the Miami Dolphins and in 1993 came off the bench to impress with a seven-game stint in which he completed 57 percent of his passes for 1,773 yards.

Despite Mitchell’s track record (or lack thereof), Detroit signed him for $11 million. Over the next three years, Mitchell would be the very definition of mediocre, leading the team to just one winning record despite Barry Sanders in the backfield. His QB ratings during that time: 62.0, 92.3, 74.9. Nothing special.

Yet somehow, this led Detroit to give Mitchell an even bigger contract in 1997, this time for four years and $21 million (the equivalent of $31 million in 2015 dollars). Mitchell played just 18 games for the team during this contract and was later released. The Lions would then go on to lean on the likes of Charlie Batch and Joey Harrington at quarterback over the next few years.

Next: Joe Flacco

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