Worst free agent signing by every NFL team of all time
NFC East
Chicago Bears: QB Mike Glennon
For some reason, NFL teams were convinced Glennon would be a breakout candidate after leaving Tampa Bay.
The Bears won a tight competition for his services, signing Glennon to a three-year, $45 million deal. Glennon was bad and got benched for rookie Mitchell Trubisky after just four games, leading the Bears to release him after the season.
Detroit Lions: QB Scott Mitchell
There were high hopes for Mitchell in Detroit, who had spent a long time looking for a franchise quarterback.
Mitchell started for four seasons but never quite lived up to the hype, leading the Lions to two playoff appearances before losing his job to rookie Charlie Batch. Detroit moved on after the 1998 season.
Green Bay Packers: DE Joe Johnson
The Packers don’t usually make huge splashes in free agency so their decision to sign Johnson to a six-year deal in 2002 raised eyebrows around the league.
On paper, the decision was stellar since Johnson had been one of the NFL’s premier pass rushers with the New Orleans Saints. Johnson recorded just two sacks in 11 games over two injury-riddled seasons before getting cut.
Minnesota Vikings: CB Fred Smoot
This one will go down in infamy for something that didn’t even happen on the field. Smoot not only lost his starting job with the Vikings but was the man at the center of the Love Boat controversy, which saw several Minnesota players have a party on a boat with prostitutes.
The situation saw Smoot plead guilty to disorderly conduct and get sentenced to 48 hours of community service before being eventually released by the Vikings.